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Northwest Arctic Borough

Alaska · Public K-12

Northwest Arctic Borough serves about 1,945 K-12 students across 13 public schools, an average of roughly 150 students per campus. By level, that breaks down as 1 elementary and 1 high schools.

7-year change in Northwest Arctic Borough

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
1,945
-185 (-9%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
13
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
13
1 districts
Enrollment
1,945
NCES CCD
Median income
$84,018
Above Alaska avg
Free/reduced lunch
93.7%
Above Alaska avg
Elementary
1
302 students
Middle
0
schools
High
1
299 students
Combined / other
11
1,344 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Northwest Arctic Borough School District
1,945 students · 1 district in Northwest Arctic Borough

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Northwest Arctic Borough residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".

County residents
White
10%
Hispanic
2%
Black
1%
Asian
2%
Two or more
7%
Native American
81%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
1%
Hispanic
0%
Black
0%
Asian
1%
Two or more
5%
Native American
92%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
10.6%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
15.0%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
16.7%
civilian labor
Median age
29
37.3% under 18

Test scores in Northwest Arctic Borough

Latest 2023-24 ELA proficiency, 2 schools ranked. Alaska state average: 35.2%.

Top 2 schools (ELA)
  1. Kotzebue Middle/High School· 10.4%
  2. June Nelson Elementary· 5.3%

See all 2 schools in Northwest Arctic Borough ranked by score →

All schools (13)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
June Nelson ElementaryKotzebueElementaryPK-05302·
Kotzebue Middle/High SchoolKotzebueHigh06-12299·
Davis-Ramoth SchoolSelawikCombinedPK-12252·
Buckland SchoolBucklandCombinedPK-12224·
Aqqaluk High/Noorvik ElementaryNoorvikCombinedPK-12212·
Napaaqtugmiut SchoolNoatakCombinedPK-12161·
Kisimgiugtuq SchoolKivalinaCombinedPK-12150·
Kiana SchoolKianaCombinedPK-1291·
Shungnak SchoolShungnakCombinedPK-1270·
Ambler SchoolAmblerCombinedPK-1260·
Deering SchoolDeeringCombinedPK-1257·
Kobuk SchoolKobukCombinedPK-1242·
NWABSD Home SchoolKotzebueCombinedKG-1225·

Cities in Northwest Arctic Borough

Kotzebue3 schoolsAmbler1 schoolBuckland1 schoolDeering1 schoolKiana1 schoolKivalina1 schoolKobuk1 schoolNoatak1 schoolNoorvik1 schoolSelawik1 schoolShungnak1 school

About Northwest Arctic Borough

Northwest Arctic Borough is a low-population county of about 7,441 residents in Alaska. Its public-school system teaches approximately 1,945 students across 13 schools.

Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show median household income runs near $84,018, roughly 11% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the poverty rate is around 15%.

In terms of grade levels, Northwest Arctic Borough comprises 1 elementary school (302 students), 1 high school (299), and 11 combined or other schools.

Northwest Arctic Borough School District dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 1,945 students on its own.

Over the past 7-year window. Combined enrollment now sits at 1,945 students, decreased 9% from the 2,130 reported in SY 2017-18.

Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Northwest Arctic Borough discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Anyone with firsthand knowledge of these schools is welcome to weigh in.

Frequently asked questions

How many public schools are in Northwest Arctic Borough?
Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska has 13 public K-12 schools serving approximately 1,945 students.
How many high schools are in Northwest Arctic Borough?
Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska has 1 public high school, serving approximately 299 students.
How many elementary schools are in Northwest Arctic Borough?
Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska has 1 public elementary school, serving approximately 302 students.
What is the largest school district in Northwest Arctic Borough?
Northwest Arctic Borough School District is the largest school district in Northwest Arctic Borough, serving approximately 1,945 students. The county contains 1 school district overall.
How many people live in Northwest Arctic Borough?
Northwest Arctic Borough has roughly 7,441 residents according to the latest Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What is the median household income in Northwest Arctic Borough?
Median household income in Northwest Arctic Borough is $84,018, above the Alaska average of $82,260. About 15.0% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Northwest Arctic Borough?
Approximately 10.6% of adults 25 and older in Northwest Arctic Borough hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in Northwest Arctic Borough qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 93.7% of students in Northwest Arctic Borough public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is higher than the Alaska county average of 64.0%.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Northwest Arctic Borough schools?
Across Northwest Arctic Borough public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 16.2 to 1.
What is the racial makeup of Northwest Arctic Borough?
Northwest Arctic Borough residents are approximately 10% White, 2% Hispanic, 1% Black, 2% Asian, 7% two or more races according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.

Northwest Arctic Borough school rankings

Largest schoolsAll rankings →
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data