Education
Aug 20, 2026

Cherokee Nation opens $30 million immersion middle school

The 66,000-square-foot Tahlequah campus will serve grades four through eight in 16 classrooms, with signage entirely


August 20, 2026

Cherokee Nation opened the School of the Seven Directions Cherokee Immersion Middle School in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Aug. 17, a $30 million investment in Cherokee language revitalization, according to reporting by Indian Gaming. The school year begins Aug. 27.

Cherokee Nation said the more than 66,000-square-foot school near the Durbin Feeling Language Center will serve grades four through eight in 16 classrooms. Signage is entirely in Cherokee, and English will not be spoken there.

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. was quoted as saying, “This middle school is one major step closer to our goal” of revitalizing the Cherokee language, culture and traditions. The campus will hold traditional ceremonies, and its courtyard and specialty classrooms will be available to Durbin Feeling Language Center and Greasy Immersion School students.

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