Students at Walatowa Charter High School in New Mexico. Photo from Facebook

A small charter school that still lacks a permanent home is proving to be a success for Jemez Pueblo in New Mexico.

The tribe opened Walatowa Charter High School in 2003. Students meet in portable buildings and classes focus on Pueblo culture, history and language.

“We wanted to have a little more say in the curriculum we develop and keep in mind our language and where we came from,” Gov. Raymond Loretto told The Santa Fe New Mexican.

The efforts appears to be paying off. According to the paper, 91 percent of students at Walatowa graduate, a rate far higher than the average of 64 percent for other Native Americans in the state. The national average during the 2012-2013 school year was 69.7 percent, according to the Education Department.

About 68 students attend the school, the paper said. Most are Native American.

Get the Story:
As Native schools struggle across U.S., grad rate soars at Jemez charter (The Santa Fe New Mexican 6/7)

Also Today:
Former Jemez Pueblo governor discovers pueblo’s long-lost original black-on-white pottery (The Albuquerque Journal 6/7)

Related Stories:
Miccosukee Tribe secures first NCLB waiver in Indian Country (06/01)
Menominee Nation school sees dramatic rise in graduation rate (05/27)
Education Department cites increase in Indian graduation rate (3/16)