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Onondaga Nation School History |
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 The Onondaga Nation School began as the Onondaga Indian School circa 1850. Under an agreement with New York State, the school began in a one room schoolhouse on Kennedy Road on the far eastern boarder of the Nation. In 1910, the school relocated to a two story house on the present site on route 11A. The school accommodated students Kindergarden through Grade Six.
In 1940, the state of New York erected the current brick structure. In 1950 additional classrooms were added to the northern section of the school. In 1954, the LaFayette School District began to contract with the State of New York allowing students to continue their education at the LaFayette Jr/Sr High School. Before this time, students who wanted to further their education attended the Roosevelt Jr. H.S., Central H.S., Vocational H.S., or the Onondaga Valley Academy in Syracuse, New York. Often students attended schools in such institutions as Hampton Indian School (VA), Carlisle Indian School (PA), Haskell Indian School (KS) or the Thomas Indian School in Cattaragus.
 In 1970, students and community members recognized a need to include Onondaga language and culture into the educational framework. They worked together to develop an Onondaga Language and Culture program. This program teaches our children the language and the oral tradition of the Onondaga.
The Onondaga Indian School changed its name to the Onondaga Nation School in 1985 to better reflect the spirit and people which the school serves. The school's composition changed as it evolved into a Kindergarten through 8th Grade program. To accommodate the increased demand on classrooms, the basement was divided into classrooms which were in use until major renovations began in 1995. At that time, an addition was built that more than doubled the classroom space and added a new gymnasium. The new addition was an architectually innovative design which incorporated elements of Native American symbolism. To see some examples of this design Click Here.
We are a Nation of people working to educate our children. |
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