Sapa Un Catholic Academy
The Sapa Un Catholic Academy is St Francis Mission’s faith- based, Dual Language School for students in kindergarten through the 8th grade located on the Rosebud Reservation. The school graduated its first two students, 8th graders Lydia and Jacob, in May 2019. It begins the 2019-2020 school year with an enrollment of about 55 students.
Sapa Un staff had this to say about the historic graduation day:
"Today history was made! Sapa Un had their first graduation and it couldn’t have been better! These two students who represented our school today were also two of the students who started in the program years ago when Sapa Un first opened! It was such a beautiful day along with a beautiful ceremony! These two deserved the best and I would say we accomplished that today. THANK YOU to everyone who made this ceremony a success!
Shout out to Rodney Bordeaux for being our speaker, the Red Leaf singers for sharing their voices, Dave Espinoza for leading the feather tying ceremony, Greg Grey Cloud, Gunner Krogman and Lucas Iron Heart for setting up the tipi, Devin Whirlwind Soldier for teaching our boys the graduation song, all of the special guests for taking advantage of the special invite, the families who provided food for the meal and to all of the Sapa Un staff members who jumped in and helped where needed today!!
Last, we want to give a special shout out to the families who have blessed us with these two amazing children. You have trusted in us and in our program for the last few years and we thank you for that honor! Lydia and Jacob have a very bright future ahead of them. We wish you both the best of luck and always, always want you to remember that our doors here at Sapa Un will always be open to you! Thank you both for everything you have taught us and have left us with. You will be missed dearly but never forgotten!! We love you guys!"
Students of all religious backgrounds are welcome. Students enjoy a small class size of 10- 12 students, an experienced, caring and qualified staff, fresh nutritious meals, and low tuition fees with scholarships available. We offer cultural opportunities in Lakota language and culture. Our students also engage in cooperative learning.
