Pre-Kindergarten - Grade 12

Of the 184 schools and dormitories, the BIE directly operates 62 of these programs. The majority of these education and residential programs, 122, are operated by tribes through local school boards funded by grants or contracts with the BIE. All schools are empowered through the BIE's policy of local control and the Federal Government's policy of Indian self-determination.

The schools are small, with 60% of them enrolling 250 or fewer students. Almost 75% (130) of the 175 schools are elementary schools only. And 34% (45) of the 130 elementary schools have grades ranges of Kindergarten only to Kindergarten through Grade 6. Thirty-nine schools offer a Family and Child Education (FACE) program. Most of our students continue their education at a public high school. There are only 45 schools providing a secondary education program in our school system.

Approximately 11,500 students reside in dormitory programs while they attend school away from home. Fifty-six schools provide residential programs. There are 14 peripheral dormitories where students live and attend nearby public schools. The peripheral dormitories provide "home-living" programs that offer activities to enhance student learning. There are seven off-reservation boarding schools located in the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, California, and Oregon. Two of the 7 provide elementary programs only. Four of the 7 provide secondary programs only. And 1 school provides both elementary and secondary programs. These schools serve an inter-tribal student population and each school has its own approach to meeting the needs of these students.

Schools are organized in district-like clusters by Area/Agency offices. An Education Line Office has responsibility for providing various services depending on whether a school is Bureau-operated or Tribally-operated.