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Northwest Arctic Borough School District (2026) - Kotzebue, AK

Northwest Arctic Borough School District

776 Third Ave
Kotzebue, AK 99752
(District boundaries shown in map)
3/
10
Bottom 50%

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 12 public middle schools serving 1,643 students in Northwest Arctic Borough School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public middle schools in Alaska.
Public Middle Schools in Northwest Arctic Borough School District have an average math proficiency score of 7% (versus the Alaska public middle school average of 30%), and reading proficiency score of 8% (versus the 28% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 99% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the Alaska public middle school average of 53% (majority American Indian).

Overview

This School District
This State (AK)
# Schools
13 Schools
302 Schools
# Students
1,945 Students
65,886 Students
# Teachers
123 Teachers
3,082 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.
This School District
State Average (AK)
#41 out of 53 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
8%
32%
5%
29%
8%
38%
80%
78%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.15
0.69
% American Indian
92%
28%
% Asian
1%
3%
% Hispanic
n/a
6%
% Black
n/a
2%
% White
2%
47%
% Hawaiian
n/a
2%
% Two or more races
5%
12%
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.
This School District
This State (AK)
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 Middle Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Nwabsd Home School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
744 Third Ave
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:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
101 Mushers Way
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:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
36 Main St
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:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
109 Ambler Dr
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:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
#6 West River Rd
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:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
744 Third Ave
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:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
190 Casanoff St
Kiana, AK 99749
(907) 475-2115
Gr: PK-12 | 91 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #8 - 128. - 12.
Aqqaluk High/noorvik Elementary School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
165 Fireweed Dr
Noorvik, AK 99763
(907) 636-2178
Gr: PK-12 | 212 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Rank: #8 - 128. - 12.
Buckland School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
9900 University Dr
Buckland, AK 99727
(907) 494-2127
Gr: PK-12 | 224 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
Rank: #8 - 128. - 12.
Davis-ramoth School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2600 Musk Ox Pkwy
Selawik, AK 99770
(907) 484-2142
Gr: PK-12 | 252 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
Rank: #8 - 128. - 12.
Kisimgiugtuq School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
#6 Oceanside Expressway
Kivalina, AK 99750
(907) 645-2125
Gr: PK-12 | 150 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
Rank: #8 - 128. - 12.
Napaaqtugmiut School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
#2 Airport Rd
Noatak, AK 99761
(907) 485-2153
Gr: PK-12 | 161 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1

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Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 13 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 1,945 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 99%
  • : 80% (Top 20% in AK)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 8% (Btm 50%)
  • : 5% (Btm 50%)
  • : 8% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AK Dept. of Education

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