Tahlequah Public Schools has a very diverse student population. A significant portion of that population includes tribal members representing twenty-nine (29) federally recognized tribes. As of October 30th, 2,011 Native American students were enrolled in the Tahlequah School District. In addition, Tahlequah Public Schools employs 87 Native American certified staff.
With such a large Native American student population, Tahlequah Schools offers a considerable number of activities, programs, resources, and services for our Native American students. These offerings are primarily made possible through federal and tribal funding sources.
Tahlequah Schools uses funding from the Indian Education Formula Grant and JOM to provide a variety of resources and services to Native American students. Resources available to Title VI and JOM Eligible Native American Students include school supplies, tutoring (administered in conjunction with Tahlequah Boys and Girls Club), Student Advocacy, Oklahoma Indian Student Honor Society membership fees, and cap and gown assistance for JOM eligible Seniors.
Furthermore, Tahlequah Schools provides Native American Language, Art, and Leadership classes that offer students the opportunity to gain additional knowledge and understanding of Native American language, culture, history, and traditions.
Similarly, Tahlequah Public Schools utilizes its Formula Grant and JOM funding to provide the following activities to its Native American students. Tahlequah students can annually compete or participate in Challenge Bowls, Language Bowls, Writing Contests, Career Fairs, Educational Summits, STEM Fairs, Test Prep Courses, Art Contests, Cultural Enrichment presentations, Tribal Museum visits, and tutoring. A few highlights of activities that have occurred or are scheduled for the first semester of school year 2025-2026 are as follows.
First, Tahlequah students participated in the Cherokee Nation Challenge Bowl the week of October 20th. Tahlequah entered twenty-one teams consisting of a total of eighty-four students in the competition, which was held at the First Baptist Church in Tahlequah. Seven of the sixteen teams placed in the top three of their divisions. Our teams included students from grades kindergarten through twelfth grade.
Second, the High School Heritage Club and Cherokee Club participated in the Tahlequah High School Homecoming parade held on Friday, October 10th. These organizations showcased club members dressed in traditional clothing.
Third, Tahlequah Middle School and High School students are scheduled to attend the Cherokee Nation STEM Fest. This event is a one-day festival featuring science, technology, engineering and mathematics stations and activities to entice and entertain students.
Fourth, Tahlequah High School students are scheduled to attend the inaugural Cherokee Nation Education Pathways Summit to learn about college and career pathways and the resources available after completing high school. The event is scheduled for November 20th at the Chota Conference Center located in Tahlequah, OK.
Native American Student Advocate, Heather Taylor, produces a newsletter in electronic format that provides a significant amount of information for Native American Students and Families. The newsletter includes but is not limited to the School Calendar, a cultural enrichment section, a language section, student cultural activity highlights, tutoring, senior cap and gown ordering details, available scholarships and deadlines, workshops, college fair resources, financial aid, tribal awards programs, college and career resources, tribal contact information, and Act Test and registration deadlines. You can find the newsletter and other information on the “TPS Native American Education” Facebook page.
November is Native American Heritage Month. As part of that celebration of Native American Heritage, Tahlequah Public Schools’ will sponsor various activities at each of its seven sites.
Written By: Chris Ray – Title VI/JOM Director