Residential Life

The elders say, “The longest road you’re going to have to walk in your life is from here to here. From the head to the heart.” But they also say you can’t speak to the people as a leader unless you’ve made the return journey. From the heart back to the head.

Phil Lane, Sr., Yankton Sioux

Houseparents

Houseparents are the glue that holds the homes together. Each home has two sets of parents, all trained child care workers who undergo more than 400 hours of training in their first year.

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Grades 1-3 Homes

All of the five, first-through-third grade homes are housed in the Benedictine Building. Homes include David, Ambrose, Raphael, Dennis and Afra.

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Grades 4-6 Homes

There are six fourth-through-sixth grade homes. One home, William, is in the Benedictine Building. Pinger, Fisher, Perky, Cyr and Summerlee are in the Lakota Neighborhood.

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Grades 7-8 Homes

In these pre- and early-teen-year homes, students develop independence, which prepares them for their high school careers.

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High School Homes

High School homes include Carola on the backside of the Benedictine Building, Giles and Crane in the Kateri Building, and Hogebach and Sheehy.

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Transitions

Transitions into an older home is exciting, but also intimidating. Because homes are arranged by grade level, children face transitions at fourth and sixth grades, and at the end of eighth grade. Bonds with the houseparents they have come to know will change, and a new set of houseparents and housemates will become the new normal.

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