Santa Fe Indian School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Santa Fe Indian School |
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1501 Cerrillos Road
P.O. Box 5340 , 87501
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| Information | |
| School type | Boarding School |
| Established | 1890 |
| School board | Northern Pueblos Education Line Office |
| Superintendent | Christie Abeyta |
| Grades | 7–12 |
| Enrollment | 709 (2005–2006) |
| Color(s) | Maroon & Gold |
| Athletics conference | NMAA AAA District 2 |
| Team name | Braves |
| Website | http://www.sfis.k12.nm.us/ |
The Santa Fe Indian School (SFIS) is a special boarding school for Native American students in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It works with the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), which is part of the U.S. government. Students from grades 7 through 12 live and learn here.
Contents
A Look at the School's Past
The Santa Fe Indian School was started by the U.S. government in 1890. Its first goal was to teach Native American children from tribes in the Southwest. The idea was to help them fit into the wider American culture. Early students came from places like Laguna Pueblo, Santo Domingo Pueblo, and Zuni Pueblo.
In 1975, a group called the All Indian Pueblo Council (AIPC) was formed. This group was the first Native American organization to use laws to take control of their children's education. Over time, the AIPC gained full control of the school and what was taught there. In 2001, a law called the SFIS Act gave the school ownership of its land. This land is now held in trust by the nineteen Pueblo Governors of New Mexico. This means the Pueblo people have full control over the school's education.
How Indian Boarding Schools Started
The idea for Indian boarding schools began even before the Civil War. Around the 1860s, the U.S. government opened "day schools." These schools aimed to teach Native American children about Western civilization. However, these schools didn't work well because students would go home and forget what they learned.
So, in the 1870s, the idea of Indian Boarding Schools came about. An Army officer named Lt. Richard Henry Pratt tested a new idea. He worked with Native American prisoners and taught them English and European ways. After this, many of them went to the Hampton Institute in Virginia. Pratt then convinced Native American families to send their children to his new boarding school.
In 1879, Richard H. Pratt started the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. This was the first boarding school just for Native Americans. It was built far away from the reservations. Pratt believed that distance would help break the students' ties to their Native American culture. He wanted to fully immerse them in American society.
Pratt was very strict in how he ran the school. Students were forced to cut their long hair, which was a symbol of pride for them. They also had to give up their traditional clothes and languages. One student said that many boys cried when their braids were cut. They felt very lonely and cut off from their families. Some even tried to run away because the treatment was so harsh.
Changes to Indian Boarding Schools
Over the years, the Indian boarding school system changed a lot. In the 1920s, the U.S. government looked into the schools. A report called the Meriam Report showed how badly the system was failing.
During the time of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, new policies began. The Indian New Deal aimed to protect Native American people. A key part of this was the Indian Reorganization Act in 1934. This law allowed Native Americans to create their own governments. The Johnson–O'Malley Act was also passed that year to help fund Native American education.
In 1966, the Rough Rock Demonstration School opened. This was the first boarding school controlled by Native Americans themselves. Its success led to a report in 1969 that said the government's old policy had harmed Native American children's education.
After this, the Indian Education Act of 1972 created the Office of Indian Education. The Indian Self Determination and Educational Assistance Act in 1975 gave Native Americans the chance to run their own schools. Later, laws like the Native American Languages Act (1990) and the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act (2006) helped protect and teach Native American languages. These changes helped reform the boarding school system.
The Studio School: Art and Culture
In 1932, Dorothy Dunn started "The Studio School" at the Santa Fe Indian School. This was a painting program for Native American students. It encouraged them to create art that came from their own cultural traditions. Dunn left in 1937, and Gerónima Cruz Montoya took over. She taught until the program closed in 1962.
Famous Artists from The Studio School
Many talented artists studied at The Studio School, including:
Rebuilding and Renewal
After the nineteen Pueblo Tribes took control of SFIS, they began to tear down and rebuild parts of the school in the early 2000s. In 2008, eighteen buildings were removed. Some people who wanted to save old buildings were upset. However, school officials said the old buildings had health and safety risks, like asbestos. They also said the Pueblo's right to govern their own school meant they could make these decisions.
The Pueblo leaders saw the demolition as a "spiritual cleansing." They felt it was a way to move past the difficult history of the boarding schools. The new buildings were designed to feel more like home. They included fireplaces in dorms and classrooms to make students feel comfortable. This was hoped to help students feel less homesick and stay in school.
Today, SFIS has 624 students in grades 7-12. About 469 students live in the dorms, and 155 travel to school each day. The school is about 54% girls and 46% boys. The nineteen Pueblo Tribes were very involved in designing the new school. They made sure the buildings looked like traditional Pueblo architecture. The buildings are built around a central plaza, like a Pueblo village. This design helps students feel connected to their culture. The school has round rooms to encourage spirituality. These features make the Santa Fe Indian School what it is today.
How the School is Governed
New Mexico has 19 Native American pueblos. These pueblos choose a board of seven members. This board is in charge of running the Santa Fe Indian School.
What SFIS Aims to Teach
The main goal of SFIS is to give students a strong education. This education is built on the foundation of Native American culture. The school wants to help students succeed while staying connected to their traditions. SFIS works closely with tribal communities and parents. The school is also looking to use more technology to improve learning.
Agriscience: Learning About Farming
One important program is Agriscience. This program works with several Pueblo communities. Students learn about farming and agricultural practices. They visit communities regularly to learn about their culture and science. They also learn how to design and manage sustainable farming systems.
Senior Honors Project: Helping the Community
Another program is the Senior Honors Project (SHP). This project teaches older students important skills. They use these skills to help solve problems in their communities. For example, one student named Victoria Atencio created a project called "Honoring Mother Earth." She explored ways to reduce our impact on the Earth. She focused on traditional methods and renewable energy. She worked with the school's Green Team to teach other students about sustainable choices.
School Campus
The Santa Fe Indian School has dormitories where both middle and high school students live.
