Flandreau Indian School facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Flandreau Indian School
Information
School type	Native American boarding school
Established	1872 (1872)
School board	Bureau of Indian Education
Grades	9-12
Enrollment	279

The Flandreau Indian School (FIS) is a special boarding school for Native American students. It is located in Moody County, South Dakota, near the town of Flandreau. Most of the students are from the Lakota tribe.

The school is run by the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE). It is one of only four such schools not located on a reservation. Students in grades 9 through 12 attend FIS. It started in 1872 as a church school. This makes it the oldest Native American boarding school that is still open in the United States.

School History and Purpose

The Flandreau Indian School began in 1872. It was started by the Presbyterian Church as a mission school. At first, it taught students from grades 1 to 6.

The United States government took over the school in 1877. Dormitories were opened in 1892 for students to live there. Later, high school classes were added. In the 1940s, some people wanted the school to close, but it stayed open.

Historically, these schools aimed to teach Native American students English, Christianity, and European American ways of life. Today, many federal schools like FIS help students who need a fresh start. This includes students who may have faced challenges at home.

Since the mid-1900s, more Native American students have attended public schools or schools run by their own tribes. Because of this, funding for schools like FIS changed after 2004. Some parts of the school closed, and some staff members left.

How Students Can Join FIS

The Flandreau Indian School welcomes students who are members of federally recognized tribes. In 2002, the school accepted almost all students who applied.

Most students who were not accepted had special needs. The school could not provide the right support for those specific needs.

How the School Operates

The United States government pays for students' classes, their rooms, and their meals. This support is part of agreements made long ago with Native American tribes. These agreements were made after conflicts known as the Indian Wars.

Who Attends Flandreau Indian School?

The number of students at FIS has changed over the years. In 1972, about 600 students attended the school. By 2002, there were 370 students. In 2015, the school had 279 students.

Most students in 2002 were looking for a more stable place to learn. Some students came because their parents or other family members also went to FIS. Others came for a new experience or "adventure." In 2015, most students were from South Dakota. However, 34 students were from Nebraska, and 7 were from Iowa.

School Sports and Teams

The sports teams at Flandreau Indian School are called the Indians. This name is used carefully and with respect.

In 1989, the school was in South Dakota's Class AA for athletics. At that time, they did not have an American football team. The school asked to move to Class A for sports that year.

See also

• Other off-reservation boarding schools run by the BIE:
  • Chemawa Indian School, in Salem, Oregon
  • Riverside Indian School, in Oklahoma
  • Sherman Indian High School, in California
• Off-reservation boarding schools run by tribes:
  • Circle of Nations Wahpeton Indian School
  • Pierre Indian Learning Center
  • Sequoyah Schools