In 1963, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) established the Miccosukee Indian School (MIS) on the
Miccosukee Reserved Area within the boundaries of Everglades National Park. The Miccosukee Tribe
took control of the school in 1971, making it the first school that was tribally controlled and no longer
overseen by the BIA. In doing this, the community was able to decide what was taught in the school,
choosing to highlight culture and language by building the Everglades in the curriculum.

In 2017, MIS received the flexibility to use a different definition of Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)
that meets their students’ unique academic and cultural needs. This marks another first in MIS
history as the first tribal school to be approved to use a definition of AYP that is different from the
state in which it is located. This allows for flexibility for students to observe cultural moments and
participate within the community.

MIS still, as it has for the past 60 years, services the Miccosukee community with the Early Learning
Center, Pre-School, and K-12 classes. As a school, MIS is committed to empowering the students by
emphasizing the importance and values of the Miccosukee language, culture, and traditions so they
are able to pass it on to future generations.