TAHLEQUAH, OK – The Cherokee Nation held a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off construction of its first-ever Cherokee Immersion Middle School. The two-story middle school to be built in Tahlequah, will be 66,000 sq. ft. with classrooms, basketball gymnasium, stickball field, art patio, wellness space, weight room and specialty areas for dance and eSports.
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner first announced in January 2024 that they were dedicating $30 million to build a Cherokee language middle school to extend enrollment and space for second-language Cherokee learners.
Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Warner have taken action to expand language revitalization under the Durbin Feeling Language and Preservation Act. The Cherokee Nation estimates it loses about 75 fluent Cherokee speakers per year and is graduating about 25 second language Cherokee speakers each year. By 2032, the goal is to replace as many speakers as are lost.
“Our language allows us to pass on our Cherokee identity and culture to our youth,” said Chief Hoskin. “As we raise a new generation of Cherokee speakers, this new immersion middle school will allow us to expand these efforts and ensure our youth are able to read, write and speak Cherokee for generations to come.”
The school for grades 4-8 will follow the Cherokee Nation’s successful language immersion curriculum, where students are taught all classes from math and science, reading to physical education completely in the Cherokee language. The middle school will also feature a sacred courtyard with ceremonial fire pit and playground. It will include a storm shelter, cafeteria with stage, and media center. The building theme represents the four cardinal directions. The seven clans are also represented through medallions in the building’s courtyard.
“Incorporating the Cherokee culture into this building is vital to the growth of these young Cherokees and this new school will be an epicenter for shaping that citizenship and character while also learning our precious language,” said Deputy Chief Warner.
Thompson Construction and Blue River Architects are the contractors for the project. The middle school is expected to be completed in spring 2026.