Dates of Operation: 1883–1902
Current Diocese: Winona-Rochester
Previous Dioceses Involved:
St. Paul, 1883–1889
Winona, 1889–1902
Religious Orders who worked at the Parish / School:
Society of the Holy Child Jesus (American Province), 1883–1890*
Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Paul Province, 1890–1902*
On a Reservation: No
On the Department of the Interior List: Yes
Tribal Nations Impacted (as listed in historical documents):
Hunkpapa Sioux; Ojibwa/Chippewa

Notes: The Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus opened a parish school and a boarding school in Avoca. Due to financial issues, Archbishop John Ireland of the Archdiocese of St. Paul signed a contract with the U.S. government to educate 50 Native American girls. On September 4, 1884, 13 Sioux girls arrived and were later joined by a small group of Chippewa girls. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet took over the school and may have changed the name to St. Rose School/Academy or St. Rose’s Convent due to its proximity to the parish of the same name. The government contract was terminated in 1893, and the school closed in 1902.

The Department of Interior list includes a school called St. Francis Xavier School in Avoca. It has not been determined yet if this was a separate school or another name for the Academy of the Holy Child.