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Nanwalek School Converts Garage to Classroom

Photo Courtesy of Ron Keffer.

Nanwalek School is getting some relief from overcrowding after a garage/shop area was converted into a new classroom over the summer.

Principal Nancy Kleine says the new classroom for sixth through 12th-graders has made students more comfortable and enthusiastic about learning.

“The kids just seem really happy to come to school this year. It’s almost like they have a place now. We have a pretty large middle school group, 26 kids and I believe there are 17 high school kids and that room is so much more appropriate for them. So they now have two large rooms, one downstairs and on upstairs for their classes,” said Kleine.

Credit Photo by Daysha Eaton/KBBI
Before Photo: the garage/shop area that Nanwalek School converted into a classroom over the summer.

Kleine says the room is being used to teach middle and high school science and math.

The room is airy and bright with high ceilings and large windows. It also has a new smart board.

The school was built before statehood by the Bureau of Indian affairs in 1958. There’s been no expansion since an addition in 1977. But the population of Nanwalek has continued to grow. According to census data, Nanwalek’s population has nearly doubled since the state started keeping track in 1990.

Last year, the school was at 138 percent capacity. Until the Kenai Peninsula School District helped the school convert the garage/shop into a classroom, students were packed into a building that is supposed to hold 60.

Kleine says enrollment is up this year and that she expects continued growth.

“There is definitely a growth pattern going on. I’m not sure that in the next couple of years we are going to see an increase, but we are going to see a bump down the road,” said Kleine.

Credit Photo Courtesy of Nancy Kleine/Nanwalek School
After Photo: the converted classroom at Nanwalek School on Thursday, Sept. 22.

Kleine says she’s happy the District has found this temporary solution.

“I think this is a really good example of people pulling together all the way from the students and the staff and the District and the Borough all working together and the community, to support using what we do have. I’m actually really proud of everybody that’s been involved and very excited for the kids that they can relax this year and not be crammed in like they would have had we not opened up that space,” said Kleine.

Kleine says the school has 80 students this year.

At this time, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District has no plans to expand the school.

Daysha Eaton holds a B.A. from Evergreen State College, and a M.A. from the University of Southern California. Daysha got her start in radio at Seattle public radio stations, KPLU and KUOW. Before coming to KBBI, she was the News Director at KYUK in Bethel. She has also worked as the Southcentral Reporter for KSKA in Anchorage.