Sherman Indian High School is looking for prospective students

August 5, 2016

Thomas R. Throssell

Gila River Indian News

Sherman Indian High School (SIHS) representatives dropped by the Gila River Indian Community’s Governance Center on July 19 in an effort to recruit prospective students to the all-Native boarding school located in Riverside, Calif.

SIHS recruiter, Karlene Clifford, said that of the 400 students who attended the school last year, twenty were from the Gila River Indian Community.

Clifford said that students from the Community can either make the six-hour drive to the school campus or be flown out. “We fly them [here] in August and then they [go home] for three weeks for Christmas break. [Then] we fly them back for second semester and then they [go home] in May for summer break.

Students live in dormitories during the school year and may room with two to four other students.

Clifford said that they are looking for students who want to be in high school and who are looking for a challenge. Attending students have the opportunity to meet other Natives who come from over 86 different tribes and take part in the school’s fully accredited academic programs.

The high school provides a Career Pathways Program for Technical and Vocational Education and varsity sport programs.

The school’s campus offers a variety of facilities including dormitories, indoor swimming pool, gym, weight room, computer labs, recreation center, museum, and cultural center.

SIHS first opened in 1892 and is located 60 miles east of Los Angeles and 90 miles north of San Diego. The high school is a nine-month boarding school for 9 through 12th graders, who are required to be of Native American descent from a federally recognized tribe.

According to the school’s philosophy statement, they aim to prepare students for collegiate success by offering cultural, academic, physical, and social growth in a safe and caring environment.

The Bureau of Indian Education funds SIHS and students may attend the high school at no cost. SIHS is currently accepting applications for the 2016 to 2017 school year.

For more information or to request an application, call 951-276-6326, extension 382, or visit www.shermanindian.org