As part of a larger study of systemic educational reform in rural Alaska, this case study examines implementation of the Alaska Onward to Excellence (AOTE) process in Koyukuk, a small Athabascan village on the Yukon River in western interior Alaska. The village has a K-10 school with an enrollment of 19-41 students during the study period. A review of AOTE documents, interviews with community members and an investigation of community-school collaborative projects revealed these concerns: importance of language and culture to provide students with traditional values, a sense of place, a solid identity and a feeling of belonging; maintenance of environmental and social balance through conventions of traditional respect and the need for continued holistic learning through demonstrative and cooperative activities. Before AOTE there were people in Koyukuk who were actively initiating changes in school and community, but AOTE provided a vehicle to formally articulate community goals. AOTE seemed to work well as part of a larger community planning process, providing a safe place for community members to discuss lifestyle changes and the importance of maintaining traditional beliefs and values. In addition to strengthening the community-school relationship and facilitating implementation of other programs, AOTE empowered community representatives in their dealings with the district. However, teacher turnover, a change in community dynamics with the departure of two activist families, and insufficient district support undermined the sustainability of reform. This report includes results of a survey of students in grades 6-10. (Contains 15 references.) (SV)