Youth Programs
Residential Living
St. Joseph’s Indian School has two Residential Living programs on campus — the elementary program and the high school program. Both are tailored to meet the needs of the Lakota (Sioux) students in our care.
St. Joseph’s Indian School’s residential philosophy is to develop collaborative relationships with students and families using a strength-based, developmental approach that teaches life skills and fosters lifelong learning through the values of belonging, mastery, independence and generosity.
Our Programs
Elementary Program
St. Joseph’s Indian School provides a nationally-accredited home-away-from-home for Native American children in grades one through 12. Native American families …
Elementary Program
St. Joseph’s Indian School provides a nationally-accredited home-away-from-home for Native American children in grades one through 12. Native American families bring youngsters to St. Joseph’s knowing their children will be safe, loved and cared for in every way.
Some children may only spend a year or two at St. Joseph’s. However, for others, St. Joseph’s may be home seven days a week for years. Thanks to gifts from friends around the globe, St. Joseph’s has been lending a helping hand since 1927.
Children live in one of our campus homes with two specially-trained houseparents. They live and play together as any family would. The boys and girls learn life skills from personal health and home finances to communication and teamwork.
Beyond these life skills, children learn how to embrace their culture and spirituality in everyday living. Family prayers, Lakota traditions and more are routine parts of daily life.
High School Program
52% of Native American students in South Dakota public schools graduate on time.To begin addressing this problem, St. Joseph’s …
High School Program
52% of Native American students in South Dakota public schools graduate on time.
To begin addressing this problem, St. Joseph’s began testing a high school initiative in 1976. Today, a collaborative partnership exists between St. Joseph’s Indian School and Chamberlain High School.
After eighth grade graduation, St. Joseph’s students may choose to pursue our high school program. Young adults complete an application and interview process to ensure they are open to accepting the opportunities and guidance they will be given through St. Joseph’s High School Program. Once accepted, students live on St. Joseph’s campus in residential homes — not dorms. Each home is run by two specially-trained houseparents. Just like St. Joseph’s younger children, our high school students are expected to be participants in family living.
There are responsibilities from preparing a meal to completing homework independently. Students have the freedom they need to grow, learn and thrive; however, they also abide by rules and expectations intended to protect them.
Unlike elementary age children, high school students do not attend school on campus. Instead, St. Joseph’s high school students attend the local public high school. We work closely with Chamberlain High School to ensure each of our high school students has the same opportunity to thrive in a public school setting.
High school homes are extremely busy with students working part-time jobs after school, participating in extra-curricular activities and preparing for higher education.
HAPI Homes Program
Homes are always happier when one of the members of the family walks on four legs, right? We sure think …
HAPI Homes Program
Homes are always happier when one of the members of the family walks on four legs, right? We sure think so!
St. Joseph’s is proud to have the Houseparents and Pets In (HAPI) Homes program on campus. The program launched in 2017 with three dogs. We are happy to say the program gets a little “HAPI-er” every year, and keeps expanding over time.
Research shows dogs support psychological growth while increasing social skills and self-esteem in children. They provide emotional support and may decrease anxiety, which in turn has the potential to increase overall academic achievement. HAPI Homes also teaches students the responsibility that goes into caring for an animal.
Questions
Residential Living FAQ
Our campus includes 20 homes that house approximately 200 Native American children. We educate boys and girls in grades one through eight in our elementary school on campus. Our older students attend grades 9-12 at Chamberlain High School.
The children attending St. Joseph’s are here because their families want them to be here. Parents or guardians complete an application process with our admissions staff, which includes personal interviews with the student and their family.
Yes, St. Joseph’s offers all the same sports as a typical junior high school, including football, volleyball, basketball and track. Younger students can participate in introductory wrestling and gymnastics. Cultural activities, such as the Chalk Hills Singers drum group and powwow dancing, foster cultural identity. Students of all ages can participate in archery through the National Archery in the Schools program (NASP). St. Joseph’s high school students attend Chamberlain High School, and can participate in all the activities offered there.
Other Programs
Education & Cultural Awareness
From elementary school through high school, our Native American students grow up on campus with the steady support of live in houseparents. Alongside academics, they carry their Lakota culture forward through powwows, drum group, hand games and daily traditions woven into everyday life at St. Joseph’s.
Family Integration
St. Joseph’s stays closely connected to every student’s family, through personal visits, calls, letters and regular check ins throughout the year. Our staff listens, identifies needs and connects families to helpful resources, both on campus and in their home communities.
Student Health
Full-time nurses and a visiting physician cover our students’ physical health needs, with the local hospital close by for anything more serious. Every student also has a master’s level mental health counselor, working one on one with them and their family.
