Metlakatla Elementary School

Dawson Construction completed a major renovation of Metlakatla Elementary School on Annette Island in Southeast Alaska, one of the state's most remote island communities accessible only by air or sea. The project included demolition and renovation of 27,000 square feet of the existing school along with the complete replacement of a 5,280 square foot outdoor play area.

The scope of work included extensive site development, partial demolition, and hazardous materials abatement to address legacy building conditions. Interior improvements featured new wood and metal stud partitions to reconfigure classroom and common spaces, while a new metal roof replaced the existing waterproof membrane roof system to better withstand the region's challenging maritime climate.

Working within a constricted site with limited staging area presented major logistical challenges, requiring careful coordination of materials delivery and construction sequencing. Dawson provided pre-construction services to help the Annette Island School District plan the project effectively, with minimal disruption to the school's educational programming during the renovation.

Metlakatla Elementary School reopened as a modern learning environment for the island's children, new classrooms, updated common spaces, a roof built to handle decades of Southeast Alaska weather, and a rebuilt play area where kids have room to run. The hazardous materials are gone, the building systems are current, and the school is positioned to serve the Metlakatla community for another generation. For a remote island community of 1,400 people, the renovation represented a major investment in their children's future, and Dawson delivered it within the constraints that make island construction in Alaska uniquely demanding.