Top Rankings
Northwest Arctic Borough School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Alaska for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 13 public schools serving 1,945 students in Northwest Arctic Borough School District. This district's average testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Alaska.
Public Schools in Northwest Arctic Borough School District have an average math proficiency score of 7% (versus the Alaska public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 8% (versus the 30% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 99% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the Alaska public school average of 53% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (AK)
# Schools
13 Schools
488 Schools
# Students
1,945 Students
127,890 Students
# Teachers
123 Teachers
6,871 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Northwest Arctic Borough School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 51 school districts in Alaska (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 80% has increased from 75-79% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#41 out of 53 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
8%
32%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
5%
29%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
8%
38%
Graduation Rate
80%
78%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.15
0.71
% American Indian
92%
21%
% Asian
1%
5%
% Hispanic
n/a
8%
% Black
n/a
2%
% White
2%
47%
% Hawaiian
n/a
3%
% Two or more races
5%
14%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $42,930 is higher than the state median of $20,568. The school district revenue/student has grown by 19% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $47,218 is higher than the state median of $21,667. The school district spending/student has grown by 24% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$84 MM
$2,630 MM
Spending
$92 MM
$2,771 MM
Revenue / Student
$42,930
$20,568
Spending / Student
$47,218
$21,667
Best Northwest Arctic Borough School District Public Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Nwabsd Home School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
744 Third Ave
Kotzebue, AK 99752
(907) 442-1811
Kotzebue, AK 99752
(907) 442-1811
Gr: K-12 | 25 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #22.
Kobuk School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
101 Mushers Way
Kobuk, AK 99751
(907) 948-2231
Kobuk, AK 99751
(907) 948-2231
Gr: PK-12 | 42 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
Rank: #33.
Deering School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
36 Main St
Deering, AK 99736
(907) 363-2121
Deering, AK 99736
(907) 363-2121
Gr: PK-12 | 57 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Ambler School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
109 Ambler Dr
Ambler, AK 99786
(907) 445-2154
Ambler, AK 99786
(907) 445-2154
Gr: PK-12 | 60 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Shungnak School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
#6 West River Rd
Shungnak, AK 99773
(907) 437-2151
Shungnak, AK 99773
(907) 437-2151
Gr: PK-12 | 70 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
Rank: #66.
Kotzebue Middle/high School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
744 Third Ave
Kotzebue, AK 99752
(907) 442-1875
Kotzebue, AK 99752
(907) 442-1875
Gr: 6-12 | 299 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #77.
Kiana School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
190 Casanoff St
Kiana, AK 99749
(907) 475-2115
Kiana, AK 99749
(907) 475-2115
Gr: PK-12 | 91 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #88.
June Nelson Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
744 Third Ave
Kotzebue, AK 99752
(907) 442-1877
Kotzebue, AK 99752
(907) 442-1877
Gr: PK-5 | 302 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #9 - 139. - 13.
Aqqaluk High/noorvik Elementary School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
165 Fireweed Dr
Noorvik, AK 99763
(907) 636-2178
Noorvik, AK 99763
(907) 636-2178
Gr: PK-12 | 212 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Rank: #9 - 139. - 13.
Buckland School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
9900 University Dr
Buckland, AK 99727
(907) 494-2127
Buckland, AK 99727
(907) 494-2127
Gr: PK-12 | 224 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
Rank: #9 - 139. - 13.
Davis-ramoth School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2600 Musk Ox Pkwy
Selawik, AK 99770
(907) 484-2142
Selawik, AK 99770
(907) 484-2142
Gr: PK-12 | 252 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
Rank: #9 - 139. - 13.
Kisimgiugtuq School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
#6 Oceanside Expressway
Kivalina, AK 99750
(907) 645-2125
Kivalina, AK 99750
(907) 645-2125
Gr: PK-12 | 150 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
Rank: #9 - 139. - 13.
Napaaqtugmiut School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
#2 Airport Rd
Noatak, AK 99761
(907) 485-2153
Noatak, AK 99761
(907) 485-2153
Gr: PK-12 | 161 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Northwest Arctic Borough School District?
Northwest Arctic Borough School District manages 13 public schools serving 1,945 students.
What is the rank of Northwest Arctic Borough School District?
Northwest Arctic Borough School District is ranked #47 out of 51 school districts in Alaska (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Alaska school districts for: Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
What is the racial composition of students in Northwest Arctic Borough School District?
92% of Northwest Arctic Borough School District students are American Indian, 5% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are White, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Northwest Arctic Borough School District?
Northwest Arctic Borough School District has a student/teacher ratio of 16:1, which is lower than the Alaska state average of 19:1.
What is Northwest Arctic Borough School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $47,218 is higher than the state median of $21,667. The school district spending/student has grown by 24% over four school years.
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