Pine Ridge Girls School - Anpo Wichapi

Pine Ridge Girls School (Anpo Wicahpi) was established in 2015, as the first independent, community-driven, college-prep all-girls school on any North American Native reservation. The school is located in Porcupine, South Dakota on our seven acre campus. The school is tuition-free, with no state or federal funding. To date, we have graduated four college-bound classes. To fulfill our mission, we are realizing 100% graduation and college matriculation through teaching steeped in Lakota language, lifeways, and culture throughout their journey in every grade level. In SY25/26 we had 70 students, and are anticipating 90 in SY26/27. Our long-term goal is to offer this empowering education to 250 young women, as well as inspire others in the field to adopt our model.

Pine Ridge Girls School (Anpo Wicahpi) seeks to radically change the trajectory of Lakota girls' lives by equipping them with the foundations for courageous and positively impactful future choices, community service, and opportunity. As part of decolonizing education, our policies and curriculum in our community of learning and excellence are centered in true history and Lakota policy conducive to student healing, emotional, and academic growth—a journey in which our students are active participants. Our supportive, culturally-immersive, all-girls environment and our health and food justice initiatives are otherwise unavailable to these youth. By cultivating a growth mindset and supporting these youth to overcome personal trauma and academic barriers, our students gain the confidence that feeds their self-worth and identity, allowing them to succeed in education, find their voice, and seize their potential as a change-maker.

As a community, we are committed to the thought revolution critical to the community’s survival and prosperity. Our approach brings all community assets into the decision-making process in program and curriculum design, strategic planning, and goal setting. Our majority-Native board includes recognized educators and activists working with notable civic leaders of the Lakota Nation. Our Advisory Council are 100% Indigenous women leaders and our Board is 57% Indigenous members. Our staff are Indigenous leaders and educators, 100% of whom are Native and members of the local Pine Ridge community. Key community service provider partnerships afford access to essential student and family services.