Wales School
37 Students
Other Pre-K - 12th
School Overview
Wales School, located in the remote coastal community of Wales, Alaska, serves as a vital educational hub for students in one of the westernmost points of the United States. As part of the Bering Strait School District (BSSD), the school provides K-12 instruction within a unique cultural context, reflecting the traditions and lifestyle of the local Inupiat community. Given the school’s isolated geographic location on the Seward Peninsula, it plays a central role in the village, fostering a tight-knit environment where educators often work closely with families to support student growth in an environment defined by the Arctic landscape and local heritage.
The school’s curriculum is designed to meet state standards while integrating the specific needs of rural Alaska students, often utilizing the BSSD’s technology-driven resources to bridge the gap created by physical distance. Through the district’s web portal at bssd.org, the school coordinates with a broader network of remote institutions to ensure students have access to essential academic programming, extracurricular activities, and community support services. For the students of Wales, the school is more than a place of learning; it is a community anchor that connects them to broader educational opportunities while honoring their local identity and the challenges of life in a remote, subarctic region.
The school’s curriculum is designed to meet state standards while integrating the specific needs of rural Alaska students, often utilizing the BSSD’s technology-driven resources to bridge the gap created by physical distance. Through the district’s web portal at bssd.org, the school coordinates with a broader network of remote institutions to ensure students have access to essential academic programming, extracurricular activities, and community support services. For the students of Wales, the school is more than a place of learning; it is a community anchor that connects them to broader educational opportunities while honoring their local identity and the challenges of life in a remote, subarctic region.
37
Total Students
5.0
Full-Time Teachers
7.4
Student/Teacher Ratio
59.5%
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics
Student Demographics Data Table
| Demographic | Student Count |
|---|---|
| Asian | 2 |
| American Indian | 35 |
-
American Indian35 (94.6 %)
-
Asian2 (5.4 %)
School Location
School Details
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| School Level: | Other |
| School Type: | Regular School |
| Charter Status:* | Public Non-Charter |
| Virtual Instruction: | No virtual instruction |
| Shared Time Status: | No |
| District: | Bering Strait School District |
| Phone: | (907)664-3021 |
| Website: | http://www.bssd.org |
| Grade Range: | Pre-K - 12th |
| Total Students: | 37 |
| Full-Time Teachers (FTE): | 5.0 |
| Pupil/Teacher Ratio: | 7.4 |
| NSLP Participation:1 | Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO) |
| Qualified Free Lunch: | 22 |
| Qualified Reduced Lunch: | 0 |
Grades Taught
Pre-Kindergarten
2
Kindergarten
1
Grade 1
4
Grade 2
5
Grade 3
1
Grade 4
5
Grade 5
3
Grade 6
5
Grade 7
3
Grade 8
2
Grade 10
2
Grade 12
4
Grades Taught Data Table
| Grade | Student Count |
|---|---|
| Pre-Kindergarten | 2 |
| Kindergarten | 1 |
| Grade 1 | 4 |
| Grade 2 | 5 |
| Grade 3 | 1 |
| Grade 4 | 5 |
| Grade 5 | 3 |
| Grade 6 | 5 |
| Grade 7 | 3 |
| Grade 8 | 2 |
| Grade 10 | 2 |
| Grade 12 | 4 |
Gender Ratio
Student Gender Ratio Data Table
| Gender | Student Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Female | 19 | 51.4% |
| Male | 18 | 48.6% |