The mission of Sunnyside Unified School District’s Native American Education Program is to recognize the unique cultural and educational needs of Native American students by providing the students, their families, and staff with tools and resources that are both culturally appropriate and meet the District’s standards allowing the students to realize their potential to succeed academically while embracing and preserving their culture, valuing education, and becoming valuable, successful contributors to the community in their future.
Who is served by the program
Program services are provided to all eligible Native American students within the Sunnyside Unified School District.
Currently, the NAEP employs six advisors who work to serve the District’s Native population. These advisors serve as role models for students, assisting them in becoming successful in their academic careers. NAEP serves approximately 900 Native American students (5% of SUSD’s student population). SUSD’s boundaries fall within San Xavier Indian Reservation. San Xavier District is a political subdivision of the Tohono O’odham Nation. Approximately two thirds of the students are Tohono O’odham. Other tribes represented within the program include: Apache, Blackfoot, Cherokee, Choctaw, Chumash, Gila River Indian Community, Hoopa, Hopi, Navajo, Salt River Pima Maricopa, Isleta Pueblo, Laguna Pueblo, Sioux and Pascua Yaqui.
Division Members
Felicia Espinosa
Native Amer Ed Program
[email protected]
(520) 545-2019
Irasema Carrillo
Native Amer Ed Program
[email protected]
(520) 545-4569