About Nawayee Center School

What is Nawayee Center School?

Nawayee Center School has grown from a simple drop-in space into a vibrant alternative urban high school serving American Indian youth in grades 7-12. Rooted in Indigenous life-ways, we provide transformative, student-centered education that nurtures cultural identity, personal growth, and a lifelong love of learning. We strive for excellence in Indigenous education and in the empowerment of our students and community.

Who attends Nawayee Center School?

Nawayee is the Ojibwe word for “the center.” At Center School, we strive to help students find their own center while also strengthening our collective center within the Native community.

Nawayee serves students in grades 7-12, and approximately 95% of our students identify as American Indian. Many come to Center School after experiencing challenges in the regular public school system, and some meet the definition of “at risk” under MN Statute 126.22. Center School offers these students a fresh start through small class sizes and a culturally grounded curriculum.

Students often choose Center School because they value the close relationships with teachers, the focus on Indigenous education, and the many field trips and enrichment opportunities. Our students typically respond with enthusiasm to Indigenous educational pedagogy.

Minneapolis Public School personnel, parents, and community members may refer students and many students are self-referred.

Mission and Vision

Mission: Providing transformative education, grounded in indigenous life-ways and a love of learning

Long Term Vision: Center School will exemplify excellence in indigenous education.

Center School Highlights

Accredited Junior and Senior High School Classes
Students earn recognized academic credits while learning in a supportive, culturally grounded environment.
Medicine Wheel Health Program
A holistic approach to wellness-mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual-guided by the teachings of the medicine wheel.
Youth Leadership Opportunities
A shared decision-making model where students and staff collaborate to shape school initiatives and community life.
Culturally Contextualized Learning
Daily opportunities to build and strengthen cultural wisdom rooted in Indigenous knowledge and traditions.
Summer School Program
Hands-on learning centered on gardening, Indigenous plant knowledge, and outdoor education.
Healthy Choices Program
Access to regular exercise opportunities, healthy meals and snacks, Indigenous health education, and on-site wellness check-ups. Lunches are being provided by Owamni/NATIFS
Children of the Seventh Fire Initiative
Gender-specific classes and activities designed to support the unique needs of young men and young women.
Paid Internship Program
Structured internships that provide real-world work experience and academic credit.
Outdoor Adventure and Cultural Activities
Field trips, land-based learning, and rich Native American cultural experiences.

How can I help?

Nawayee Center School is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We appreciate the contributions from funders and generous donations from the community. Donate online through GiveMN.org.
We also welcome volunteers! Please reach out for further details rachel.king@centerschool.org

School buildings and grounds

Located at 2421 Bloomington Avenue, Center School has been educating Native American youth for over 40 years. Center School is one of only two alternative schools focusing on Native American education.

Of these, we are the oldest and the only one located in Phillips neighborhood, the heart of the Native American Community. The school is housed in a two-story brick building that includes:

the oldest local ceramic mural on the front
a life-ways mural designed and painted by students
a garden and a fenced-in area for outdoor recreation.
classrooms, administrative offices, a large common room for meals and assemblies, a kitchen and other spaces for student activities.

Center School is a founding member of the Metropolitan Federation of Alternative Schools.

Culture

We integrate Native culture throughout our academic and support services. Cultural classes include Dakota and Ojibwe languages, art, spirituality, family, community, and oral traditions. Indigenous values and beliefs are modeled and woven into the entire curriculum.

In addition to accredited academic courses, we offer elective classes such as beadwork, drum group, outfit making, and leadership.

Expectations

All students and staff at Center School are expected to:

Respect all school and personal property
Respect each other mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually
Be on time
Be prepared to learn / teach / participate
Be chemically free during school activities
Be and do your personal best

About Nawayee Center School