San Xavier Mission School Welcomed as New Member of the American Indian Catholic Schools Network

San Xavier Mission School in Tucson, Arizona, has been formally welcomed as a new member of the American Indian Catholic Schools Network (AICSN), joining two other Catholic schools in strengthening a national community devoted to indigenous Catholic education. The two additional schools welcomed alongside San Xavier were St. Labre Indian School and St. Peter Indian Mission School. ace.nd.edu 
 
San Xavier’s new membership is a milestone which marks a relationship over two years in the making. During that time, school leadership and staff engaged in ongoing dialogue, collaboration, and shared learning with AICSN members, and focused on culturally responsive education, faith formation, and leadership development. Our relationship has been built on trust, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to honoring indigenous identity within Catholic education.

San Xavier Mission School is located in Tucson, Arizona, on the San Xavier District of the Tohono O’odham Nation, where it has served generations of students and families through a mission rooted in faith, culture, and community. The school’s approach reflects a deep respect for the O’odham Himdag (Way of Life), woven together with Catholic values and academic excellence. sxmschool.org 
 
A significant moment in this growing partnership occurred in November 2025, when San Xavier Mission School had the privilege of hosting the AICSN Leadership Summit. The gathering brought together school leaders and educators from across the network for prayer, strategic planning, professional learning, and alliance formation. Hosting the summit was both an honor and a testament to the strong and evolving connection between San Xavier Mission School and AICSN.
 
Within the network, schools such as St. Charles Catholic School continue to model the importance of cultural affirmation, with a strong emphasis on fostering and celebrating Apache culture as an integral part of Catholic education. This shared commitment to honoring indigenous cultures strengthens the collective mission of AICSN educational partners nationwide.

The San Xavier Mission School community is deeply grateful for its association with the American Indian Catholic Schools Network. Faculty, staff, students, and families express sincere appreciation for the guidance, collaboration, and sense of belonging that AICSN provides. Membership in the network affirms the school’s mission and offers meaningful opportunities for shared growth, support, and advocacy on behalf of Native American students and communities. Facebook 
 
If you’d like to learn more about the network, please visit
https://ace.nd.edu/programs/aicsn