American Indian Education Program

The District is honored to have formed an American Indian Education Program. The District and the Indian Education Program look to strengthen and support the diverse families by providing a culturally appropriate educational environment. Our goal is to provide meaningful, intentional, and targeted educational opportunities to every American Indian student, while at the same time fostering cultural identity and pride.

The purpose of this program is to increase academic achievement, decrease the drop-out rate, and to improve the school climate of American Indian students in a culturally appropriate manner. In Minnesota, this program addresses five specific goal areas, with a special focus on ensuring that all children are ready for school, all racial and economic achievement gaps between students are closed, and that all students are college and career ready.

An example of the FREE services available through the Indian Education Program here in South St Paul include, but are not limited to:

• Academic support
• Family/community resources and advocacy
• Cultural events and activities
• College visits & post-secondary preparations
• Resource library featuring Indigenous authors

We encourage you to complete a 506 Indian Student Eligibility Certification form. This fully CONFIDENTIAL document allows the school district to leverage funding to support American Indian students and will be kept on file at the District’s Indian Education Office.

AMERICAN INDIAN PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

We welcome all families to join us as part of the American Indian Parent Advisory Committee.

In South St. Paul, we now have more than 100 American Indian students attending school, kindergarten through grade 12. Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.78 requires that all Minnesota school districts with 10 or more American Indian students have an American Indian Parent Advisory Committee. If you are interested in participating, please contact Courtney Renville Soto at crenvillesoto@sspps.org or 651-228-5916 or text 612-401-6685.