Aberdeen schools adapt to growing Native American student population

Cultural, academic support programs elevated as ethnic diversity increases in Brown County

Native American Student Association members hosted a Winter Coat Drive and distributed the coats on Tuesday, Oct. 29. Photo courtesy of the Aberdeen School District.

The number of Aberdeen Public School District students enrolled in its Indian Education Program is on the rise, and school officials say they’re ready to meet those students where they are.

“We’re getting more and more Native kids in the district,” said Gordon Tree Top, Jr., the Indian education coordinator for the district, during the school board meeting on Monday, Oct. 28 at the District Service Center.

The Indian Education Program supplements existing programs within the district that help meet specific academic and cultural needs of Native American students. It’s funded by Title VI and Johnson-O’Malley money. The amount of funding is based on enrollment numbers, Tree Top said.

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