Our School
A Learning Environment Designed for Success
As you and your child walk through our halls, you’ll notice the sounds of learning, laughter, and friendship all around. Thanks to our donors’ generosity, we offer the latest resources and technology to help your child prepare for the future. We invite you to explore these pages and see why St. Joseph’s Indian School is a place where your child can learn, grow, and thrive as part of our school family.
Each year, more than 200 students in grades 1-12 join our school family. Our elementary school on campus has one first-grade class and two classes for each grade from 2 to 8. Your child will learn all the standard classroom subjects, such as reading, math, and language arts, as well as the Lakota language and Native American culture.
Our students come from over 30 communities across South Dakota and nearby states, and belong to more than 10 different tribes, most connected to the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota nations. While many of our students come from reservation communities, about 35% are from towns and cities off the reservation.
Learning Through Every Grade
Grades 1-8: Building Strong Foundations
From first grade through eighth grade, your child will build a strong academic foundation while growing in confidence, character, and cultural identity. Small class sizes, caring teachers, and personalized support help every student develop the skills they need to succeed in high school and beyond.
High School: Ready for the Future
High school students attend Chamberlain Public High School while continuing to live and grow as part of the St. Joseph’s Indian School community. By combining the opportunities of a public high school with the support, guidance, and sense of belonging found on campus, students gain the confidence, independence, and life skills they need to prepare for college, careers, and whatever comes next.
“St Joseph’s Indian School provides a total package to students, with safety and consistency going a long way in helping them achieve.”
Alyssa McQuirk – Fourth Grade Teacher
Meet The Educators Who Make a Difference
Learn more about the people who help make St. Joseph’s Indian School a place where children can succeed.
Life Beyond the Classroom
Throughout the year, students and families come together for cultural events, seasonal celebrations, performances, and community gatherings that celebrate the traditions that make our school unique.
Stay Connected to Your Child’s Learning
We’re excited to offer TeacherEase, our online parent portal for elementary school families. With TeacherEase, you can easily view assignments, grades, and your child’s progress anytime, from anywhere.
A Solid Curriculum to Inspire Learning
Students have access to a variety of programs that encourage curiosity, creativity, and academic growth. Our programs help every child learn, grow, and thrive.
A Foundation for Lifelong Growth
We are a Christian community where all persons are brothers and sisters, and God is the father of us all. This principle is strengthened by the Lakota worldview: Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ, which expresses the deep interrelatedness of all things that are.
Our goal is to help your child grow in every way: mind, body, heart, and spirit. We use a wraparound care model that removes barriers and helps your child build on their strengths.
Your child will learn about the world through a Christian lens, while also honoring traditional cultural values. Like Fr. Dehon, we work together to stand up against injustices that have touched our families.