Home - North Slope Borough School District

MAŊŊUQPUT

Inuk una qauriniŋanin inugullaġmi iḷisimmatiniguuruq iḷisausiaminin naipiqtuġniŋaniḷḷu aasii taima isumalaalgusivḷuni suli iḷisimmaġiksivḷuni tainnamik aasii kisuutilaani pautaġivlugu inuguqhuni inulluatauvluni.

Welcome to North Slope Borough School District

OUR FOUNDATION

The North Slope Borough School District is committed to embedding through our curriculum and teaching practices, traditional Inupiaq ways of raising and educating children, Inuguqsiniq, which is the principle that guides our work with the children and communities of the North Slope. We share the responsibility to support our students’ development as inulluatat - good human beings – who are able to navigate successfully in today’s world.

We honor and recognize the unique process of learning that is deeply tied to the land, culture, language, and knowledge of the Inupiat. This approach, which is directed by the Inupiaq worldview, respects how children learn as they become aware of their surroundings and expand their knowledge into adulthood.

OUR MISSION

Students who are empowered, culturally rooted, bilingual, healthy, critical, creative, life-long learners.

The North Slope Borough School District is located at the "top of the world" in Northern Alaska.

Our communities are populated predominantly by the Iñupiat, and today, as in many thousands of years past, we live the Iñupiaq way. Having embraced modern amenities that make life easier, we continue to practice our hunting and sharing traditions and very much value the structure that those activities bring into our lives.

We are a welcoming and friendly people who believe strongly in the value of education. Our highly trained certified and classified staff are dedicated to serving the children of our communities. They work together to meet the unique needs of every student in the district.

Our students are fully immersed in preparing for tomorrow while honoring and perpetuating the priceless traditions and culture they have as a legacy from the past. Our children exude all the warmth and sunshine one could ever hope to find.

We are led by a visionary board. Their mission for our district calls for every child to become proficient in reading, writing, and mathematics while gaining an understanding of and appreciation for the values, culture, history, and language of the Iñupiat.

Quyanaqpak,

The North Slope Borough School District

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District News

May 22, 2025 · North Slope Borough School District
Uqautiluŋa Iñupiatun Immersion Program
May 16, 2025 · North Slope Borough School District
Harold Kaveolook School Phase 1 Success! - The final beam is in place!
Students and community members in Kaktovik sign the final beam which is then placed into the Phase 1 vertical construction of the new Harold Kaveolook School gymnasium.
May 16, 2025 · North Slope Borough School District
AASSP Region I Principal of The Year for 2025
Meade River School Principal named Region I Principal of The Year
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Meade River School Principal Brian Schaffer has been named Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP) Region I Principal of the Year. Meade River School is in the North Slope Borough School District, where he has served for 3 years.
AASSP sponsors regional and statewide Principal of The Year recognition awards to honor the educational leaders who play such a pivotal role in student success. They may be nominated by anyone – students, staff, parents, district office staff or principal peers - with awards finalized by AASSP members in their region. Regional Principals of The Year are eligible to be in the running for the statewide Alaska Principal of The Year.
David Vadiveloo, Superintendent of the North Slope Borough School District, said, "Principal Schaffer is a vocal advocate for the culturally responsive pedagogy and mission of our District and leads the Meade River School in Atqasuk with authentic community engagement." Superintendent Vadiveloo added, "Mr. Schaffer's inclusive leadership style is also demonstrated by the involvement of certified and classified staff in the development of systems of support to address the needs of the whole child.
Zina Robinson, colleague and Principal of Trapper School, shared that Principal Schaffer is a collaborative leader. "Mr. Schaffer has created a supportive, innovative and inviting environment for the entire Meade River community."
Superintendent Vadiveloo shared that the whole community is celebrating Mr. Schaffer's honor saying, "The North Slope Borough School District is proud to congratulate Principal Brian Schaffer as Region I Principal of the Year.
Rick Dormer, AASSP President, said, "Our Alaska Regional Principals of the Year are hard-working leaders who have made purposeful, positive impacts on the lives of students, staff and the communities in which they work."
Dormer congratulates the 2025 AASSP Regional Principals of the Year saying, "I'm proud to be colleagues with these exceptional leaders. Thank you for serving our schools in such an excellent manner."
May 16, 2025 · North Slope Borough School District
Teach in the Arctic!
Sep 21, 2024 · North Slope Borough School District
Why Tobacco Harms Your Brain
Sep 21, 2024 · North Slope Borough School District
Secondhand Smoke Health Problems
Sep 21, 2024 · North Slope Borough School District
What Are Vapes
Sep 21, 2024 · North Slope Borough School District
Smoking While Breastfeeding

Around NSBSD

NSBSD Choir Disney Trip

Recently our choir expanded to allow students from any village to participate. 42 students from six schools practiced together via zoom all year and took their talents to Disneyland, California. NSBSD and many donors made the trip a reality for all of our students. Quyanaq siññaktuavut nalautiłługit! Thank you for making our dreams come true.