NEW HIGH SCHOOL LEARNING CENTER MAKES THE GRADE, AND THEN SOME

A new, more spacious High School Learning Center is boosting confidence and ratcheting up learning for St. Joseph’s Indian School’s high school students. These students, who reside on St. Joseph’s campus and attend Chamberlain High School, utilize the center’s current technology and positive environment to help improve grades. The center opened in the fall of 2019 in a refurbished basement space in the Benedictine Building. The area includes a well-lit, large and open area with a student union vibe. There are also three quieter side rooms where students can get individualized instruction from a tutor or just find the space they need to focus.

Students have been reacting positively to the new change.

• “The different rooms allow me to get a quiet place where I can focus and be alone to work on my assignments.” — Lilli
• “I like that there are staggered times and rooms where the tutors can sit with me and help me.” — Paige
• “I went to the Learning Center a lot last year, but it was hard to get assignments done because it was so crowded. Now I can go and focus because there is more space.” — LaShawn

One houseparent and tutor said, “The kids respect the new space much more and seem to take pride in it. They are doing well, and now there is an area on campus to support their educational success. Compared to past years, students now encourage others to do well, and they support each other.”

But the results — they speak for themselves. At the close of the first semester, 10 students achieved a 3.0 grade point average, with three of them at 3.5 or higher. Sixteen students had started the year on an academic agreement, but at the end of the semester, only one remained. Some 600 individual student visits to the center tell the rest of the story.

Philámayaye — thank you — for helping support Lakota (Sioux) students at St. Joseph’s Indian School in their academics in and out of the classroom.

Author: St. Joseph's Indian School

At St. Joseph's Indian School, our privately-funded programs for Lakota (Sioux) children in need have evolved over 90 years of family partnership, experience and education. Because of generous friends who share tax-deductible donations, Native American youth receive a safe, stable home life; individual counseling and guidance; carefully planned curriculum based on Lakota culture and individual student needs and tools to help build confidence, boost self-esteem and improve cultural awareness. All of this helps children to live a bright, productive, possibility-filled future. View all posts by St. Joseph's Indian School