The school, originally a private school and named simply Bahweting Anishnabe School, opened in fall 1994. Its original enrollment was 135.[2] Money generated fromcasinos was used to fund the school's establishment.[3] The school board was assembled in October 1994.[4]
Northern Michigan University began chartering the school in 1995.[2] By then the number of employees and students had increased.[5] It received its current name in 1998.[6]
By 2004 the school had 270 students. By then it had won theNational Blue Ribbon Schools Program's award one time. According to Brenda Wade Schmidt of theArgus Leader, the school had a better academic reputation than other area schools and other American tribal schools.[7] The school collected data on how students learned material related to the State of Michigan's performance standards.[8]
