Barrow Frost Test Charter Academy is a tuition-free K-12 public charter school blending rigorous STEM education, Iñupiat cultural traditions, and place-based learning to prepare students for college, careers, and community leadership in Alaska and beyond.
To inspire academic excellence and resilience in our students through rigorous, innovative education adapted to Arctic communities. — Our Core Mission, Barrow Frost Test Charter Academy
From kindergarten through 12th grade, our programs are designed to challenge, inspire, and prepare every student for a life of purpose — rooted in their culture and ready for the world.
K-12 integrated STEM coursework featuring robotics, bioinformatics, computer science, and environmental engineering. Students pursue a computer engineering pathway in partnership with the University of Alaska Anchorage.
Our curriculum authentically weaves Iñupiat language, traditions, and indigenous knowledge systems into every subject area — honoring heritage while preparing culturally grounded, globally aware leaders.
Honors and AP courses in Mathematics, Sciences, English, and Social Studies. Dual enrollment with University of Alaska Anchorage in calculus, biology, and environmental science — earning real college credit before graduation.
Place-based learning that takes the Arctic environment as our classroom. Students earn industry certifications in renewable energy technology, GIS, and sustainable resource management — skills critical to Alaska's future economy.
General music, band, choir, and drama from K-12. Annual winter concerts and spring theater productions celebrate both contemporary performance and traditional Iñupiat arts, keeping cultural expression alive in every student.
Free daily after-school programming from 3:30–5:30 PM including homework help, clubs, and enrichment. Sports include basketball, volleyball, archery, cross-country, swimming, and uniquely Arctic traditions like dog sledding and snowshoeing.
We are not a typical school. We are a community-rooted institution built specifically for Arctic families — combining the academic rigor of the best schools in Alaska with the cultural depth and personalized attention your child deserves.
As a publicly funded charter school, we charge zero tuition and zero application fees. Every family in Barrow deserves access to an exceptional education — and we deliver it at no cost.
With an average class size of just 15 students, every child is known by name, supported by their teacher, and given a personalized learning plan tailored to their strengths and goals.
All students in grades 6-12 receive a 1:1 MacBook Pro; elementary students receive iPads. Full Google Workspace, video conferencing, and enhanced internet infrastructure ensure no student is left behind — even in remote Alaska.
Our unique blend of indigenous Iñupiat knowledge, rigorous STEM, and place-based environmental education is found nowhere else. We don't adapt a mainland curriculum — we built ours from the ground up for Arctic communities.
"Moving to Barrow, I was worried my daughter wouldn't get the same academic opportunities as she had in Anchorage. Within one semester at Barrow Frost, she was enrolled in AP Biology and dual enrollment calculus. Her confidence has completely transformed. This school is the real deal."
"I never thought I'd be applying to universities Outside Alaska, but my counselor at Barrow Frost believed in me before I believed in myself. The college counseling here is incredible. I got accepted to three universities and I'm the first in my family to go to college."
"What sets this school apart is how they honor who my kids are — their Iñupiat identity — while also pushing them to excel in math, science, and writing. My son is in the robotics club and also learning traditional drumming. That balance is everything to us as a family."
Connect with a friendly enrollment counselor today. Schedule a tour, ask your questions, and fast-track your application.
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