The Lower Kuskokwim School District (LKSD) is one of Alaska's largest rural districts serving a 22,000 square mile area roughly the size of the state of West Virginia located along the Kuskokwim River and coastline of Southwestern Alaska.  . Approximately 3700 students (K-12) of mostly Yup'ik (Eskimo) heritage are served by the district's 352 teachers and numerous paraprofessionals. One-fourth of the certified teachers are Yup'ik, the greatest percentage of indigenous educators of any district in Alaska. 

Headquartered in Bethel, the district is comprised of twenty-two villages as well as five schools in Bethel.  Most of the surrounding land is flat and marked by lakes and sloughs. Summer usually finds muddy conditions everywhere and rubber boots are a necessity. Winter temperatures of -30º to -40º are not uncommon and winds often push the wind chill factor to -60º to -70º.  
  
The focus of the LKSD is on the student. The LKSD Board recognizes that students are individuals with their own interests, learning styles, attitudes, cultural background, and ability. To the greatest extent possible, the Board pledges to meet the needs of all students. Recognition of and respect for our students‚ language and culture are essential to the success of our District.

Mission of District

The mission of the Lower Kuskokwim School District is to ensure bilingual, culturally appropriate, and effective education for all students, thereby providing them with the opportunity to be responsible, productive citizens.

The Lower Kuskokwim School District Believes that:

• Every child has the right to a high quality public education.
• The education of children is one of the fundamental responsibilities of society.
• Society has the responsibility to foster appreciation, respect, and understanding of traditional and cultural values among its members.
• Society has the responsibility to advocate for the respect and self-worth of every child.
• We must respect the environment in order to sustain life, culture, and traditional values.
• Every child has the right to thrive in a safe, healthy environment.
• The educational institution must adapt to meet the needs of a changing society, and prepare students to be lifelong learners.

There are currently seven villages participating in QS2 within the Lower Kuskokwim School District:

District Website Link