St. Francis Indian School Explained

St. Francis Indian School is a K-12 Native American school in St. Francis, South Dakota. It is tribally controlled and is affiliated with the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE).[1]

Lakota people are served by the school.[2]

History

In 1886 the school, initially a Christian elementary school of St. Francis Mission meant to serve Native students with English as a second language, was established. It had 200-person boarding facilities, with all students boarding, and had one building, though a second was later added and the boarding facilities filled. A fire destroyed the existing facilities in January 1916. Concrete replacement facilities were built and school resumed in fall 1916. The high school classes began in 1931. It had a peak enrollment of 500 in the 1940s and 1950s. The dormitories were decommissioned in the 1960s after improvements to the roads were implemented. Tribal control came in 1979.[3] Residents had a positive reception to gaining tribal control.[2]

By 2004 the school began hiring teachers from other countries to fill vacancies.[4]

Curriculum

In 1986, in addition to English and Lakota, the school had the following foreign languages available: German, Latin, Russian, and Spanish. Some languages classes were only open to high school students.[2]

External links

43.1408°N -100.9007°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: St. Francis Indian School . July 11, 2021 . Bureau of Indian Education.
  2. News: Holland . Debra . June 29, 1986 . St. Francis School is significant part of Lakota life . B1 . . Rapid City, South Dakota. - Clipping from Newspapers.com
  3. News: Taylor . Kay . June 29, 1986 . Catholic ministry nurtures heritage at St. Francis . B1 . . Rapid City, South Dakota. - Clipping from Newspapers.com
  4. News: Schmidt. Brenda Wade. Schools take small steps toward higher achievement. Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. 2004-01-26. 1A, 6A. - Clipping of first and of second page (detail view #1 and detail view #2) at Newspapers.com.