Saint Francis Indian School Marks Historic Shift in Accountability Status

A renewed focus on student achievement and school improvement is paying off at Saint Francis Indian School in South Dakota, which recently advanced to “Approaching Expectations” under the Bureau of Indian Education accountability system.

This change reflects years of intentional work across the entire school — strengthening instruction, improving attendance, and expanding student support aligned with Every Student Succeeds Act indicators. According to Superintendent Walking Eagle, the shift is the result of collective effort, data‑driven practices, and a renewed culture of accountability shared by teachers, staff, families, and the community.

Strong Academic and Schoolwide Gains

Under ESSA-aligned measures, the school has demonstrated measurable growth:

• Attendance has reached 92%, the highest in recent years.
• Graduation rates have climbed to approximately 83%, reflecting sustained student engagement.
• Enrollment rebounded to 611 in 2024–2025, signaling renewed family confidence, and remains strong at 542 students in 2025–2026.

Academic performance has also risen significantly. Since 2020–2021:

• ELA proficiency increased from 12% to 30%.
• Math rose from 5% to 35%.
• Science improved from 2% to 12%.

These gains reflect consistent instructional alignment, early assessment preparation, and targeted interventions across grade levels. Superintendent Walking Eagle highlighted that the school’s improvement is not accidental but built through “steady consistency, training, and strategic action planning.” Early assessment preparation this year ensured students had extended exposure to priority standards.

Saint Francis Indian School’s Annual Report Card shows continuous improvement across key indicators, demonstrating a system‑wide transformation rooted in resilience and shared purpose. Moving into “Approaching Expectations” marks the school’s strongest position in recent history.