James C. Isabell School

James C. Isabell School, a tiny K-12 campus in Teller, Alaska, operated by Bering Strait School District, teaches 67 students, covering grades pre-K through 12. That puts it 65% smaller than the typical public school in Alaska, which averages around 192 students.

Across the 15 schools in Bering Strait School District (1,745 students total), James C. Isabell School accounts for its share of the district's footprint.

Demographically, James C. Isabell School records that nearly all students (99%) are Native American.

On the income-and-resources front, James C. Isabell School reports 6 full-time-equivalent teachers, putting the student-to-teacher ratio at about 11.2:1. That figure is tighter than the state norm's 27.0:1 average. About 101% of enrolled students meet the income threshold for free or reduced-price lunch, often used as a Title I proxy.

Zooming out to the county, census data for Nome Census Area shows median household earnings sit near $78,681, roughly 14% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 21%. Across Nome Census Area's 19 public schools (combined enrollment of about 2,417 students), James C. Isabell School is one campus in the mix.

Brevig Mission School is the nearest neighboring public school, about 5.9 miles from this campus.

The campus sits in a countryside setting.

Five-year trend. Over the past 7-year window, the student count edged down 20%: 84 students in 2018 compared to 67 in 2025.

On allk12, recent activity here tends to focus on pickup logistics, teacher feedback, and after-school programs. The community welcomes input from current and former families.