List of Indian Boarding Schools
in the United States
In August 2023, NABS released its latest research identifying 523 Indian boarding schools in the United States. This three-year project resulted in the largest known list of U.S. Indian boarding schools ever compiled to date.
Background
The history of Indian boarding schools has been under-researched to the extent that limited efforts have comprehensively looked into the full accounting of both government- and religious-operated institutions established in the United States. Researchers, educators, and policymakers have all requested access to up-to-date information, but have had to make due with what is available.
In 2020, NABS released a list of 367 Indian boarding schools, which at the time was the largest and most extensive list available to the public. Since then, there have been various efforts by the Department of the Interior (DOI) and religious institutions to identify their involvement in the establishment and operation of Indian boarding schools nationwide. In May 2022, building off of NABS’s research, the DOI identified 408 schools in volume one of its Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative Investigative Report. In May 2023, a list of 87 Catholic-operated schools was released to the public.
With these coinciding efforts, NABS was able to cross-check its research to establish its most current list of 523 schools. Because of persistent gaps in research, and the lack of funding toward Indian boarding school efforts, NABS sees this research as ongoing and expects the number of schools to rise as more information comes to light.
Total Indian boarding schools that
operated in the U.S. from 1801 to present
Indian boarding schools identified by the DOI that received federal support from 1819 to 1969
Indian boarding schools with no known evidence of federal support
Total Indian boarding schools that
operated in the U.S. from 1801 to present
Schools open today that were or are considered
Indian boarding schools
U.S. states where Indian boarding schools operated
FAQ
NABS’s most current research has identified 523 known Indian boarding schools in the U.S. NABS believes this number will continue to grow as more information and resources become available.
This research has been ongoing, so technically it started when NABS was established in 2012. Over the years, NABS has conducted its own research, collaborated with volunteers, and hired contract researchers such as former NABS board member, Dr. Denise Lajimodiere (Turtle Mountain Chippewa), who worked with NABS to produce the first version of the Indian boarding school list in 2016.
This most recent list of 523 builds off our previous efforts, including the last list we released in 2020, which included 367 schools.
To be listed as an Indian boarding school in NABS’s latest research, institutions had to meet each of the following criteria:
- The institution was designed specifically for Native children;
- The institution had to have an educational component;
- The institution had to house students for any period of time.
No. While Indian day schools were used to assimilate Native peoples, they did not fall within our criteria. This is an area that NABS believes needs to be researched further.
The 408 schools that the DOI identified in its Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative investigative report were only focused on schools that were operated or directly supported by the United States federal government. The DOI's criteria include the following:
- The school had to have an educational component;
- The school had to house students for any period of time;
- The school had to have received federal support;
- The school opened before 1969.
Note: Schools that moved, or closed and then reopened, still met criteria 1-3 even if they opened after 1969.
Churches operated Indian boarding schools to carry out the assimilation policies of the United States. Beginning in 1819, the Indian Civilization Fund Act observed christian churches entering into government contracts in order to further the operations of these institutions. In 1868, Grant’s Peace Policy was enacted giving christian denominations power over programs on reservations, leading the way for expanded involvement in operating Indian boarding schools.
No. This is an area that is currently being researched by various groups, including federal and Tribal governments. This is an area that is sensitive and complex.
The research, which can be found on this interactive map, will allow people to understand the systematic effort by the U.S. government and religious groups to assimilate Native peoples through Indian boarding schools. Viewers can literally zoom in to learn basic information about any known Indian boarding school, including their years of operation, who ran them, and historical notes to help contextualize the unique history of each institution. Viewers can also zoom out to study schools at a regional, state, and international level.