Campus Life
Campus Life at Our Native American Residential School
When students become Warriors, they learn more than just academics. They gain the life skills to become independent, confident and self-directed adult leaders. All of our students are members of federally recognized tribes, representing up to 30 different tribes each year. Our Native American residential school empowers youth to discover their life pathways in a safe, nurturing and supporting environment.
Living on Campus
Our dormitory program helps students develop habits and routines that lead to successful living – especially in groups. With a parental approach, the staff provides guidance personalized to student needs. Students also gain a sense of pride and responsibility as they share dormitory responsibilities, keeping the place they live in top running order.
Our bright, modern dormitory is separated into boys (Spurlock Hall) and girls (Irene Heard Dormitory) dorms. Sheets, pillowcases, bedspreads, blankets, towels, washcloths, and ordinary personal care items are provided for students. Laundry facilities are available in each dormitory.
Health & Well-Being
A registered nurse is on campus five days of the week, any other medical services and emergencies are referred to the Choctaw Nation Indian Health Clinic, with parents involved every step of the way. Students will receive a physical exam at the beginning of each school year.
Cafeteria
Brilliant minds are nourished with knowledge and healthy food at Jones Academy. Our cafeteria provides breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Nutritious meals are prepared on campus with students in mind.
See How Warriors Thrive
Review our handbook to learn more about residential life at Jones Academy.
Our Campus Facilities
Nestled among 540 acres of rolling pastures, Jones Academy is located four miles northeast of Hartshorne, OK on US Highway 270. Our students learn among nature, with ponds, woods and hay meadows strewn throughout our lush campus. Our staff and the Choctaw Nation take great pride in our beautiful rural setting, within which we foster students to become caring adults. Our other campus facilities include:
540 Acre Campus
Outdoor Basketball Courts
Our Agricultural Programs
Warriors are compassionate and our students learn how to care for animals to hone in on this life skill. Many students come to Jones Academy growing up with only concrete beneath their feet in urban homes and areas, shocked to discover the natural beauty of rural southeastern Oklahoma and its wide-open spaces, hills, trees and fresh air.
Through our award-winning 4-H program, students in third through twelfth grade care for hogs throughout their academic day. Students clean pens and feed, exercise and brush the animals gaining a valuable understanding of hard work. With our new livestock trailer and truck, advisors transport students to competitions. The Warriors have won numerous awards including Grand Champion Market Barrow at the 2006 Oklahoma Youth Expo in Oklahoma City and Grand Champion Market Hog at the 2003 and 2006 Arkansas/Oklahoma State Fairs in Fort Smith.
Our connection to nature doesn’t end there, as our Native American residential school students also fish in our ponds, and care for livestock. With 25% of students coming from metropolitan areas such as Oklahoma City and Tulsa, we help our Native Youth foster a deep connection to the land and nature around them.
Competitive Stickball
As the first field sport in North America, Choctaw stickball is tightly woven into the Warrior Spirit. For hundreds of years, opposing teams have played using wooden sticks laced with leather or “kabocca” and a round, ball covered in leather or “towa.” Both of these are handcrafted, using elements from the land such as wood, stone and leather. While each new generation evolves the sport, today’s equipment is firmly rooted in the ways of our ancestors. By playing stickball together, Warriors take part in a Native American tradition that teaches teamwork, collaboration and dedication.
