Nikolaevsk Charter School, a K–12 public charter school, uniquely combines Montessori education for grades K–8 with Career & Technical Education (CTE) for grades 9–12. Rooted in the unique Russian heritage of our village, we focus on agriculture-based learning that promotes Alaska food security and food sustainability while encouraging sustainable living practices. At Nikolaevsk Charter School, students engage in hands-on experiences like Architecture and Construction that prepare them for a successful future.
What We’re About
At Nikolaevsk Charter School, students don’t just sit at desks and do worksheets; they truly learn by doing. Our K–8 Montessori program emphasizes multi-age classrooms, hands-on materials, and plenty of movement and independence, fostering a love for sustainable living practices. In our 9–12 CTE program, students engage in real-world, career-focused learning in agriculture, trades, and practical skills, all of which contribute to Alaskas work force. We incorporate agriculture-based learning for all ages, including gardening and soil care, cooking and baking, cleaning and kitchen skills, and preparing and preserving food for long-term storage.
We are building a small school farm:
Year 1: Our goal at Nikolaevsk Charter School is to build a school garden on campus to enhance Alaska food security. Year 2: We plan to add livestock, allowing students to engage in food sustainability practices. Students will help care for the animals, while older students will design and build fencing and shelters as part of their CTE coursework at Nikolaevsk Charter School, promoting sustainable living practices.
Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Learning
Families have different needs, so we offer flexible ways to be a part of Nikolaevsk Charter School (NCS):
1. Full-Time, In-Person School
Students attend school on campus full time, Monday–Friday (following our school calendar). They engage in:
- Academic core classes
- Montessori or CTE (depending on grade level)
- Gardening, cooking, and farm projects that promote Alaska food security and food sustainability
- Cultural and community activities focused on sustainable living practices
2. Homeschool at NCS
Enroll at NCS through our homeschool correspondence program. NCS provides an allotment and a certified homeschool advisor to help families in their homeschooling adventures.
Quarter Projects – Join Us by Season
For families who homeschool or seek more flexibility, we invite you to join NCS, the Nikolaevsk Charter School, for quarter-long projects that emphasize Alaska food security and food sustainability.
Each quarter may feature a significant, hands-on project, such as:
- Building and planting garden beds to enhance sustainable living practices
- Constructing a chicken coop as part of our Nikolaevsk community initiatives
- Growing and harvesting a crop to support local food sustainability efforts
- Setting up and maintaining an outdoor ice rink for seasonal fun
- Designing and creating a product to sell, focusing on farm-to-table cooking
- Engaging in food preservation techniques that promote sustainable living practices
- And many more exciting projects!
K-12 homeschool students can engage in various educational opportunities such as enrolling in one quarterly project, returning for multiple quarters, or homeschooling independently. For high school homeschoolers, there are specific options available at the Nikolaevsk Charter School (NCS). These students can participate in up to 2 classes, allowing them to maintain their homeschool program while accessing hands-on career and technical education (CTE) opportunities. For instance, a homeschool high schooler could take a core class, explore an architecture and construction class, join a culinary or pottery class, or even participate in an internship. This approach not only supports their educational journey but also aligns with Alaska food security and food sustainability initiatives, promoting sustainable living practices in the community.
Honoring Russian Culture
Nikolaevsk Charter School embraces its rich Russian heritage, and we aim for our school calendar and culture to reflect this important aspect. To support our commitment to sustainable living practices and Alaska food security, we include breaks for significant Russian Orthodox holidays, such as Pascha and Russian Christmas, in our school calendar. Our Christmas break lasts three weeks, allowing students to return to school after Russian Orthodox Christmas in January, so families can fully celebrate their traditions. For Pascha, we observe a one-week school break in the spring in addition to a traditional spring break, ensuring our community values food sustainability and cultural heritage.
In Short Nikolaevsk Charter School is:
K–12 education at the Montessori Nikolaevsk includes a Montessori-based curriculum for grades K–8 and a CTE-focused approach for grades 9–12. Our program also offers a homeschool correspondence option that emphasizes agriculture and farm-based learning, promoting food sustainability and Alaska food security. Culturally rooted in our Russian village traditions, the Nikolaevsk Charter School provides flexible options for homeschoolers, including both full-time and part-time/quarter project choices. We welcome high school homeschoolers who are interested in taking individual classes that align with sustainable living practices.