Information
The Sac and Fox Settlement School was originally established as a Day School by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Next, it became part of the South Tama County Community School District, an Iowa public school system. In 1972, the school was closed and tribal members applied for the school to become BIA operated. In 1980, the Sac and Fox Settlement School became a tribally operated school, first as a contract school and now as a grant school. The Meskwaki Settlement School is a tribally controlled school with oversight by the Bureau of Indian Education.
The mission of the school since the 1980s has been, and continues to be, the preservation of the Meskwaki culture and language and preparation of all students to become productive citizens.
School Calendar
Many factors are considered when creating a school calendar that best engages and enables students of the Meskwaki Settlement School to reach their maximum academic potential.
Annual Improvement Goals
The Meskwaki Settlement School establishes Annual Improvement Goals focused on improving student achievement.
Warrior Weekly
Warrior Award
The Warrior Award is presented to someone in the MSS who understands and exemplifies exceptional customer service, which in turn results in a positive impact on everyone including students, parents, coworkers and members of the community.
Northwest Evaluation Association Assessments
Academic progress of Meskwaki Settlement School students in kindergarten through grade six is assessed using Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) or Measures of Academic Progress for Primary Grades (MPG) multiple times each school year as expected from the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE). Students in kindergarten through grade two are assessed using MPG in reading and math. Students in grade three through grade six are assessed using MAP in reading, math and science.
The first assessment during a school year establishes a baseline. Subsequent assessments measure academic growth from the baseline. The scale used to measure a student progress is the RIT Scale. The RIT Scale measures item difficulty and student response to provide information about what a student is ready to learn. Meskwaki Settlement School students continue to show steady growth at the various testing points throughout the school year.
Enrollment
The Meskwaki Settlement School has a current enrollment of 293 students in preschool through high school. Enrollment data for the Meskwaki Settlement School indicates relatively steady enrollment from the 2014-2015 school year.
Attendance
Successful schools begin by engaging students and making sure they come to school regularly. Regular attendance is important because students are more likely to succeed in all aspects of school, including academics and participation in activities.
Elementary Attendance
First Semeter
- 2012-2013 93.97%
- 2013-2014 93.36%
- 2014-2015 93.63%
- 2015-2016 94.72%
- 2016-2017 97.41%
- Bureau of Indian Education Attendance Rate for Kindergarten – Grade 8 92.07%
Secondary Attendance
First Semester
- 2012-2013 92.92%
- 2013-2014 92.56%
- 2014-2015 92.57%
- 2015-2016 89.78%
- 2016-2017 92.35%
- Bureau of Indian Education Attendance Rate for Grades 9-12 84.87%
Graduation Rate
The Meskwaki Settlement School graduation rate includes information from a cohort of students. A cohort in the graduation rate starts with students entering ninth grade for the first time during a given year and calculates the percentage of those students who graduate within that group.
- 2013-2014 100%
- 2014-2015 90%
- 2015-2016 90%
- Bureau of Indian Education 59.07%
School Vision
We wish to create a school that offers state of the art education for our students that is second to none. We believe there are no excuses for not offering each child the opportunity to learn and grow academically, socially, culturally, and emotionally. We vision a school where our children are eager to be here because 1) they are excited about learning 2) they are confident in their ability to experience success and accept responsibility for their actions and achievements, and 3) they care about themselves and others, and have a sense of service and responsibility to the community.
We will maintain a staff that is professional, enthusiastic, respectful, and caring. We will insist on respectful and courteous behavior from our students whose first task is to learn and grow holistically. We value the role of parents/guardians in the Meskwaki Community, parents/guardians and grandparents are their students, first teachers. We seek a lasting partnership so that parents/guardians are an integral part of their students’ educational development.
Meskwaki Settlement School: Preparing students to be responsible, independent life-long learners, preserving the language and culture of the Meskwaki Tribe
Board Policies
School Board Policies
The Meskwaki Settlement School operates according to policies established by its board of directors. The board develops, reviews and makes revisions as necessary policies after careful deliberation, and the school administration implements them through specific regulations and procedures.
The manual is organized according to a numeric codification system. There are nine major classifications bearing a numeric Series Code.
Inquires about the policies included in this manual may be directed to board members or to the superintendent.
Meskwaki Settlement School
1610 305th St
Tama, IA 52339
(641) 484-9000 (v)
Board Policies are currently under review for approval.
- Meskwaki Settlement School Board Policy Manual
- Series 100: School District Educational Philosophy
- Series 200: Board of Education
- Series 300: Administration
- Series 400: Employees
- Series 500: Students
- Series 600: Education Program
- Series 700: Non-Instructional Operations and Business Services
- Series 800: Building & Sites
- Series 900: School District – Community Relations
School Board Meetings & Minutes
Meetings
The Meskwaki Settlement School Board of Education has established a meeting schedule for the current school year.
The agenda for each meeting is available at BoardDocs. 
Minutes
Board of Education minutes are available as a Consent Agenda Item in the Agenda of the next regular meeting. Archives of previous year minutes are actively being developed and will be posted on this page.
2016-2017 Meeting Minutes
Superintendent
Currently Accepting Applications
Central Office Staff
Lauryn Keahna
Financial Business Manager
Candice Sanache
Procurement Specialist
Stephanie Snow
Office Manager
Employment
The Meskwaki Settlement School is a special place to work. With highly competitive health insurance, dental, and 401K plans, the school offers a salary and benefits package that is unique within the state of Iowa.
The Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act, requires a background investigation for positions in the Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa that involve regular contact with or control over Indian children.
In accordance with Sac & Fox Code, Title 9, SEC. 9-1204, Indian preference will be given to applicants.
Current Openings
For open positions please visit current openings or TeachIowa.gov.
For questions or more information, call 641-484-4678.
Application Materials
Application materials are available at the Meskwaki High School Office or from links below.
Completed Application
Submit completed application, Tribal Employment Declaration, and Waiver Agreement and Statement to:
Applications
Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa
349 Meskwaki Road
Tama, IA 52339
Fax 641-484-8478 or email Applications
Notifications
Annual Asbestos Notification
The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) of 1986 requires that the District notify parents annually concerning asbestos-containing building materials in the school building that their child attends, and that the management plan for that building is available for their review.
Directory Information
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act provides that a school may disclose appropriately designated “directory information” without written consent.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act affords parents and students over 18 years of age certain rights with respect to access and confidentiality of student educational records.
Federal Educational Records Privacy Act
Education of Homeless Children and Youth
Preschool-aged and school-aged children have certain rights or protections under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act.
Education of Homeless Chldren and Youth
Notice of Non-discrimination
The Meskwaki Settlement School is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and to the provision of equity in its educational programs, services and activities for all students and employees and does not tolerate discrimination in employment or in its educational programs and activities.
Military Opt-out
Section 9528 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (P.L. 114-95) requires schools to release student name, address and contact information to military recruiters unless the student or legal parent/guardian request in writing to “opt out” of this release of this information. Section 9528 also requires the school to notify students and legal parents/guardians of the right to Opt-Out from this by requesting that the school not release student information to military recruiters.
Section 504
The Meskwaki Settlement School offers evaluations, programs, and services to individuals who are identified as having, or who are suspected of having, a disability as defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Title IX
Pursuant to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and the U.S. Department of Education’s implementing regulations at 34 C.F.R. Part 106, the Meskwaki Settlement School’s Title IX Coordinator has primary responsibility for coordinating Meskwaki Settlement School efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under Title IX, prohibiting sex discrimination in all operations of the Meskwaki Settlement School, as well as retaliation for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by Title IX.
Meskwaki Settlement School
1610 305th St, Tama, IA 52339
(641) 484-9000 (v)
(641) 484-3264 (f)