St. Joseph's Indian School
We serve and teach, we receive and learn
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
St. Joseph's Indian School is privileged to work with families who have chosen us to give their children a sound education and loving home-away-from-home. Seeking a better future for their children or grandchildren, Lakota families seek our help. Many of our students are in the custody of grandparents who – like many – are having a hard time meeting their own needs. They are facing abject poverty and unsafe living conditions. Our goal is absolutely not to replace family or culture, but rather to embrace it and to help the Lakota boys and girls be successful individuals. One family at a time, the cycle is breaking.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Residential Program
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.
Education
Children attending St. Joseph’s benefit from individualized care plans that follow nationally approved and accredited techniques.
Children in elementary grades one through eight attend classes at St. Joseph’s Elementary School on campus. Children benefit from small class sizes (approximately 12 students per classroom) and one-on-one attention.
After eighth grade, students can enroll in St. Joseph’s High School Program. With capacity to care for 50 Lakota (Sioux) high school students, St. Joseph’s partners with Chamberlain High School to give our students a multitude of opportunities to participate in sports, fine arts and extra-curricular activities.
Cultural Awareness
Preserving and sharing the Lakota (Sioux) culture is a core part of our mission at St. Joseph's Indian School. In addition to Native American Studies classes for students and our annual powwow, the Akta Lakota Museum and Cultural Center is located on campus for students and visitors alike to broaden their knowledge of the Sioux culture, more specifically known by their dialects — Lakota, Dakota and Nakota.
Health Care
St. Joseph’s Indian School’s Health Center, located on St. Joseph’s campus, is open daily and has ‘on-call’ nurse availability after hours and on weekends. Physician Assistants are available each morning during the week to see to the needs of our students and staff members.
Outreach Programs
Summer Day Camp: At. St. Joseph’s Rising Eagle Day Camp, Lakota children from the Lower Brule and Crow Creek Indian Reservations take part in cultural arts and crafts, eat nutritious meals and thrive in a setting where kids can just be kids!
Bookmobile: Each summer, St. Joseph’s Bookmobile travels nearly 2,000 miles across South Dakota reservation communities to distribute free reading materials to children and families in need.
Women’s Shelter: Native American women are among the most abused — physically and sexually — demographic in the United States. Our center provides abused women and children on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation hope, safety and support in times of great need.
St. Joseph’s Thrift Store: In addition to monetary gifts, friends support St. Joseph’s children and families with gifts of clothing, toiletries and much more. Each of the items so generously donated are first offered to our students and their families through our home, school and outreach programs.
Where we work
Awards
Top-Rated Charity 2017
GreatNonprofits
Top-Rated Charity 2018
GreatNonprofits
Top-Rated Charity 2019
GreatNonprofits
Top-Rated Charity 2020
GreatNonprofits
Top-Rated Charity 2021
GreatNonprofits
Top-Rated Charity 2022
GreatNonprofits
Membership 2020
American Indian Catholic Schools Network
Membership 2022
Coalition of Residential Excellence
Accreditation 2021
Council on Accreditation
External reviews

Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Evaluation documents
Download evaluation reportsNumber of children who have access to education
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Multiracial people
Related Program
Education
Type of Metric
Other - describing something else
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Years based on fiscal year results. The pandemic caused us to drop enrollment slightly to better accommodate children's health needs.
Number of physician visits that include exercise counseling
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Health Care
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Results are from fiscal years and include physician and nurse visits collectively.
Number of clients participating in educational programs
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Outreach Programs
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
The numbers are on-campus enrollment; however, hundreds of other people are served through our outreach programs: - 730 children benefitted from Day Camp; 1500 people received free books; and more.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
St. Joseph's Indian School strives to break the cycle of poverty through providing care and an education to Native American children and families.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
We are national leaders in advancing Native American lives.
Our Decade of Inclusion Challenges Us:
To partner with our students, their families and supporters to meet the strategic vision of national leadership, we will implement these four primary strategies:
1. We will stand firm in our strengths and knowingly maintain what we do well.
2. We will recognize and rectify our flaws.
3. We will reach and partner beyond our walls physically and digitally.
4. We will think and act boldly and ethically and lead the way nationally.
We will recognize and keep doing what we do well, improve upon our flaws, reach beyond our walls, and go boldly into the national conversation regarding Native life. We will be actively present in shaping our internal systems and showcase our mission on the national stage. We will take action. We will lead. We will be St. Joe Strong.
Within This Vision Are Several Bold Goals:
- Development of new measurements of student achievement based on Indigenous knowledge systems and St. Joseph’s Indian School’s expertise in teaching.
- Development of partnerships with nationally-recognized universities and foundations to share and increase knowledge, drive innovation and build human capacity within St. Joseph’s Indian School leadership.
- Continue to build a broader array of services and outreach planning between St. Joseph’s Indian School and our alumni and thiyóšpaye — extended family.
- Development of a St. Joseph’s Indian School-specific approach to addressing boarding school history.
- Development of a larger St. Joseph’s Indian School outreach strategy with a physical and digital footprint, providing additional educational opportunities and social interaction space.
- Development of a national media strategy for the Development Office.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Through our Circle of Care and modernized programming. St. Joseph's Indian School educations for life — mind, body, heart and spirit. Our approach embraces Catholic teaching alongside Native American spirituality and relational worldview. The wrap-around environment honors each student as an individual with specific needs that are met through the combined efforts of the student, their extended family, our supporters and every staff member on campus.
- 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.
- Education: Children attending St. Joseph’s benefit from individualized care plans that follow nationally approved and accredited techniques. Friends who support St. Joseph’s help provide for every aspect of each child’s physical, emotional, spiritual and educational needs.
- Culture: Appreciation of the children’s cultural heritage is infused in our daily routine both at school and in the homes. St. Joseph’s Native American Studies classes focus on Lakota language, culture and traditions. We have cultural experts on staff who teach about the Native American culture and also regularly invite Lakota (Sioux) elders and advisors to assist with ceremonies like Inípi, a purification rite, on campus. A variety of educational opportunities are provided for both students and staff alike.
- Health/Wellness: St. Joseph’s Indian School’s Health & Family Services Center, located on St. Joseph’s campus, is open daily and has ‘on-call’ nurse availability after hours and on weekends to fulfill the Native American health care needs of our students. Healthcare providers are available each morning during the week to see to the needs of our Native American students and staff.
- Counseling: Every student who attends St. Joseph’s Indian School receives comprehensive health services. As important as immunizations and regular check-ups are, it’s the mental health techniques of play, art, talk, group, and equine (our newest addition) therapies provided to our Native American youth that are perhaps more crucial and life-changing … even life-saving.
- Spirituality: Founded by the Priests of the Sacred Heart, our spiritual philosophy is to provide students with a rich base of Catholic faith and Native American tradition upon which they can draw for a lifetime, finding Thunkasila (Creator) in all things.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Through dedication and hard work, we are achieving our strategic goals. During FY 2022:
- We celebrated 95 years of service to Native American children and their families.
- 199 students were served on campus.
- Over $185,000 was awarded in scholarships to Native American students seeking higher education.
- 18,518 free books were given to adults and children living in South Dakota reservation communities.
- 28,813 meals were served from our dining hall.
- 3,153 medical visits took place in our campus health center.
- 250 food boxes were delivered to students and families.
- 88 students received specialized health services.
- And so much more!
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
St. Joseph's Indian School
Board of directorsas of 01/24/2023
Emmet Kenney
Dn. David Nagel
SCJ
Kory Christianson
Fr. Ed Killianski
SCJ
Fr. Jack Kurps
SCJ
Terry Johnson
Fr. Vien Nguyen
SCJ
Fr. Greg Schill
SCJ
Larry Jandreau
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
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