TIOSPAYE TOPA SCHOOL

Tiospaye Topa School is a Title I public school that is part of the Tiospaye Topa School school district, located in Ridgeview, SD with about 181 students offering grade levels from Kindergarten to 12th Grade. A Title I school provides supplemental financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families. Its purpose is to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education.

Tiospaye Topa School, located in Ridgeview, South Dakota, is a tribally controlled K-12 school that serves the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Operating under a grant from the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), the school is deeply committed to integrating academic excellence with the preservation of Lakota culture, language, and traditional values. Its name, "Tiospaye Topa," translates to "Four Families" or "Four Communities," reflecting the school’s mission to foster a supportive, community-centered environment that empowers students to succeed both within their tribe and the broader world.

The school offers a holistic educational experience that bridges modern curriculum requirements with Indigenous pedagogical approaches. By emphasizing Lakota identity and community involvement, Tiospaye Topa aims to provide its students with a strong foundation of self-esteem and cultural pride. Through its dedicated staff and community partnerships, the institution strives to prepare its graduates for post-secondary success while ensuring that the wisdom and traditions of their heritage remain a central part of their academic and personal development.

For more information, contact Tiospaye Topa School at (605) 733-2290 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.