Alaska Tides to Tongass Science and Arts Academy is a 10-week magnet program for high school students from across the nation located in Port Alexander, Alaska—a remote community situated in one of the beautiful bays where the Tongass National Forest meets the Pacific Ocean on rugged Baranof Island in the Alexander Archipelago.  Accessed by boat or float-plane, the environment – one of the most pristine on Earth – provides the perfect setting for hands-on learning about our temperate rainforest and ocean ecosystems.

Students come away with a deeper understanding of the species that make up these habitats and the interconnectedness of their facets, as well as the ways humans have impacted them.  They practice scientific thinking as they become scientists in the field.  The arts component of our program helps students develop forms of expression through which they can gain a deeper appreciation of the natural world and cultural heritage. ATTSAA students also get the chance to practice archeological skills and think about world history in an applied way through the lens of Port Alexander's (and Alaska's) interesting history tied to world events and economic tides, and how those events and trends, in turn, affected the environment.

While enrolled in Port Alexander School within the Southeast Island School District, the students have a class schedule that meets the needs of the high schools they return to at the quarter --with the core subjects taught, along with an Outdoor P.E./Survival elective and an Art elective-- but where field-learning is frequent and concepts are taught through unique, integrated, place-based curriculum and experiences.  Guest lecturers– experts in their fields– are brought in for weekly units of in-depth learning on topics such as cold-water safety and wilderness survival, marine ecology, Northwest Coast traditional art forms, foraging wild edibles, marine debris, Alaska fisheries, creative writing, and more.

The program culminates with attendance of the 3-day symposium at Sitka WhaleFest in Sitka (from which the students will be flying in and out), where world-renowned marine scientists share their research. Through the ATTSAA program, they will have the chance to receive a dual high school and college biology credit ("Current Topics in Marine Research") through the University of Alaska Southeast for attending the WhaleFest lectures, Question and Answer sessions with the scientists, and completing an assignment.  Home - Sitka Whalefest

The six to ten high school students accepted annually from around the nation also get the rare opportunity to experience life in our small off-grid fishing-based community where there are no roads or cars and cell-service is limited, and resilience and zest-for-life is not.  For the duration of the 10-week program, the students are housed with host families and invited to participate and integrate with the community through events and service projects, building responsibility and leadership skills, and are provided opportunities for foraging, hiking, beach combing, kayaking and on other expeditions to explore our area and build confidence and skill in the wilderness.

A fee of $1,000 covers air fare from Sitka, Alaska, housing, meals, and all other program costs, with needs-based scholarships available!

Scientific Exploration - Historical & Cultural Inquiry - Artistic Expression - Outdoor Skills & Leadership

Alaska Tides to Tongass Science and Arts Academy exists to give students from diverse backgrounds hands-on experience in the amazing marine and rainforest ecosystems of Southeast Alaska through the teaching of wilderness skills, science, culture and history, and artistic expression.  We believe that with opportunities to take part as a learner and leader in our unique remote community, students will gain confidence in their ability to adapt to new situations, to benefit their future communities, and to thrive in and protect their natural environments.