Officials at Red Cloud Indian School in Pine Ridge have announced plans to build a $2.5 million addition to the Lakota Catholic elementary, middle and high school on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

Workers are scheduled to break ground on the project this fall.

"Red Cloud has a rich history and strong reputation for always striving to provide the very best for its students on the Pine Ridge reservation," The Rev. Peter Klink, president of the school, said. "With the announcement of this capital project, we will be constantly looking at the richness of our past to help guide our way into the future."

The new wing will feature an eco-friendly state-of-the-art facility for the science and Lakota studies programs, as well as socializing and office space for students and faculty, according to a news release from the school.

The original school was built in 1977. The addition is the first new construction on an academic building in more than 20 years.

"It is imperative that we take the steps necessary to move to the next level by providing the very best facilities and environment that meet the needs of every student at Red Cloud," said superintendent of schools Bob Brave Heart. "This addition is representative of our commitment to our students. They deserve classroom and laboratory space that will give them an extra boost in achieving their post-high-school goals."

In the next few months, administrators, as well as local and state community members, will meet to interview architects and contractors and to begin the design phase of the building. Students, parents, faculty and staff will also be engaged to offer their opinions in programming for the new wing.

"We want to involve everyone in the development of this project," Brave Heart said.

"This is a landmark day for Red Cloud," high school principal Nick Dressel said. "The vision of the school's founders - to create an education of real quality on the Pine Ridge reservation - is being realized daily. The completion of this project is yet another example of that."

The school will search for ways to make the addition energy efficient, including the possibility of geothermal and alternate sources to enhance heating and cooling.

The new addition is slated to be ready for the fall 2009 school year.