Established in 1938 and built by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, ESDS is one of a handful of day schools in the nation. A transition from a 638 Grant School to a P.L. 100-297 Contract School Began in 1983. In the 1960’s & 70’s, ESDS provided education services in cooperation with Waubay Public School. Presently, ESDS is chartered by the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate and operated by a local School Board. In December 2005, under the direction of Dr. Sherry Johnson, ESDS moved to its new home north of the SWO Buffalo Farm. Enemy Swim Day School opened its FACE (Family and Child Education) site in 2000 and operated a full service child care center from 2007 to 2013.
The “Day” in Enemy Swim Day School reflects a change in US Indian Education policy from boarding schools to educating American Indian children in their own communities. Toka Nuwan Wayawapi is the Dakota name which means Enemy Swim-place where we learn. Enemy Swim is a legend name derived from a local battle between the Dakota and rivals where Dakota Akicitapi forced their attackers to swim to the safety of an island in Enemy Swim Lake.
ESDS continues to offer high-quality education in the Glacial Lake Region!