Why Kashia Elementary School? Our story…

The Kashia Elementary School District is a small, remote, rural public-school community located on the Kashia-Pomo Rancheria in Sonoma County. The district consists of a single K-8 school that serves mostly native Kashia-Pomo students in a beautiful, natural setting close to California’s Sonoma coastline.

The children living at the Rancheria and attending the local school benefit from the cultural connections, community relationships, and support from their tribe that they would not find in any other educational setting. The school’s academic program is designed to teach students the skills necessary to support their future success while honoring their cultural identity, practices, language and land through culturally relevant teaching practices.

Each of the core academic subjects is reinforced by making direct connections to the natural environment and culture through a variety of outdoor and hands-on learning experiences. The school grounds themselves with its extensive nature trail are used for this purpose; along with the local creeks, beaches, and the Gualala River. Click here to see a video of the Steelhead Fish Project in action - this activity integrates math, science, environmental science and cultural studies. Students and staff are preparing to launch the 2024-25 Steelhead Project soon!

The Steelhead Fish Project is just one of many activities designed to support students’ intellectual and personal growth while preparing them to be the future conservators of their tribal land - possibly in professional jobs managing coastal lands. Our students learn to protect what they come to know and love.

Check back often for more updates, photos and videos describing this year’s journey at Kashia Elementary School District!