About Mt. Edgecumbe High School
Mt. Edgecumbe High School is a public boarding school operated by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development. Initially established in 1947 by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Mt. Edgecumbe provided Alaska Native students in grades 1-12 the opportunity to acquire a traditional education unavailable in rural Alaska. Serving as many as 600 students at its largest, the school closed temporarily in 1983 as the Bureau of Indian Affairs reduced its role in Alaskan Education. Two years later, the school reopened under the governance of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development. The central role of Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Alaskan education is to provide a broad range of academic and extra-curricular opportunities that are unavailable to students in isolated home schools and communities. Academic expectations are high and students who attend are expected to enroll in higher education. The official governing body charged with oversight is the Alaska State Board of Education.
Demographics: Currently, over 400 students from 111 villages throughout Alaska attend Mt. Edgecumbe. 63 percent of the student body is female and 37 percent are male. Alaska Native students comprise 79 percent of the student population, 10 percent are Caucasian and 6 percent are mixed ethnicity. 65 percent of students in attendance meet federal guidelines for free & reduced lunches. 84 percent of 2013 graduates were accepted into a post-secondary university or training programs.
Selection Criteria: Applicants must be Alaska residents of high school age who possess a demonstrated interest in learning and who are capable of living successfully in a residential setting. The State Board of Education has established the following criteria: availability of a high school program in the student's home community, any particular requirements (educational, emotional or family) that make the structured, residential setting provided at Mt. Edgecumbe High School advisable, degree to which the student is expected to benefit from the academic and social programs, the degree to which the student will bring background experiences, skills and abilities that will enhance the persity or academic potential of the student body and academic performance demonstrated by transcripts and test scores.
Graduation Requirements: 24 Carnegie units for a 4 year attendee: English – 4 credits ( English I-English IV), Math – 3 credits (Basic Math-Calculus), Social Studies – 5 credits (World Geography, Alaska History, US History, Government, Alaska Issues, Pacific Rim Cultures), Foreign Language - 1 credit (Chinese, Japanese, Spanish), Science – 3 credits, (1 Physical Science, 1 Biological Science, 1 Elective Science), Computer Science – 2 credits (Computer I, Computer II, Web Design, Animation, Accounting and Robotics I, II), Health / PE – 2 credits, (Health/Wellness, Team Sports, Inpidual/Dual Sports, Weight Training). A full range of academic electives are offered as well as: Construction, Welding, Consumer Science, ETT, EMT, Choir, Small Engine Repair, Yearbook, Digital Yearbook, Journalism, Drama/Debate and more. MEHS does not offer AP or IB courses; however, qualified students are encouraged to enroll in courses at the adjoining campus of the University of Alaska Southeast for which we pay the tuition.
Mount Edgecumbe High School does not offer AP or IB courses. Interested students who satisfy university placement requirements may in enroll in credit earning English, Math, Government and a variety of electives at the University of Alaska Southeast at no cost to the student.
Grading System: A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, NC = no credit. 70% is the minimum passing score.