History

Carlisle was the first government school for Native Americans. The goal of the United States Indian Industrial School was to educate and train young Indian children so that they could "take upon themselves the duties of citizenship."  Captain Richard Henry Pratt, the first superintendent, believed that Indian children who were taken from their tribes and mainstreamed into Euro-American culture could be made into productive citizens.  In the fall of 1879, 82 Sioux children were brought to Carlisle Barracks and forcibly taught white culture through a military regimen.  Ultimately enrollment averaged 1,000 students each year, with 77 tribes being represented.

Youth between the ages of 14 and 21, of good character and sound health, who were at least 1/4th Indian were eligible for admission.  Pupils spent one half of each day in academic classes and one half in industrial training.  Fields of training included agriculture, business, telegraphy, blacksmithing, printing, carpentry, plumbing, tailoring, and wheelwrighting for boys.  Girls were trained in cooking, nursing, sewing and laundry. 

During one year of their schooling, pupils were "outed."  They spent the year as a member of a white family, attending a local school and working at their trade.

Carlisle educated students from grade one through grade 12.  Supporting academic work were the Susan Longstreth Literary Society (for girls) and Standard Literary Society and Invincible Debating Society (for boys).  Carlisle had a school band, a school choir, a mandolin society, a student newspaper, a monthly student magazine, a Y.M.C.A. and a Y.W.C.A.

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