Navajo Preparatory School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Navajo Preparatory School |
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| Address | |
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1220 West Apache Street
87401
United States
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| Information | |
| School type | College Preparatory School |
| Motto | Yideską́ą́góó Naatʼáanii Leading into the future |
| Founded | 1891 as Navajo Methodist Mission School 1991 as Navajo Prep |
| NCES School ID | 590011600144 |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Enrollment | 261 as of 2016[update] |
| Campus | Dormitory |
| Color(s) | Black, Turquoise, Yellow, White |
| Athletics conference | NMAA District 1-AA |
| Team name | Eagles |
Navajo Preparatory School is a special high school in Farmington, New Mexico. It helps students get ready for college. The Navajo Nation has fully supported this school since 1991. This was after the previous school, Navajo Academy, closed.
The school campus is currently getting new buildings. These include modern dormitories, classrooms, and a new sports area. The school colors are black, turquoise, yellow, and white. These colors stand for the four seasons in Navajo culture. The school's mascot is the eagle.
Navajo Prep is also connected with the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE).
Contents
School's Journey: A Look Back
Navajo Prep has had a few different names over the years. It started as Navajo Methodist Mission. Later, it was known as Navajo Mission Academy and then Navajo Academy.
In 1891, two women, Mary L. Eldridge and Mary Raymond, came to New Mexico. They were sent by a church group to help the Navajos. Mary Eldridge Tripp opened her cabin in 1896 as a small day school for Navajo children.
By 1899, a three-room school house opened in Hogback, New Mexico. Two rooms were used as dorms for boys and girls. The middle room was the classroom. A boarding school was added that same year. Thirteen Navajo children lived there, and twenty-three white students attended as day students.
From 1896 to 1903, the school grew. A new school house, a new dormitory, and a new dining room were built. Native American children who attended these mission schools were often far from home. They were encouraged to learn new ways of life and English. This was different from their traditional Navajo customs.
Farming and raising animals were very important for the school. Students and staff grew food like fruit and vegetables. This helped because the school often had a low budget. In 1913, more land was bought for fruit trees. The school had 100 acres for farming and livestock.
In 1911, Farmington had a very heavy rainfall. On October 6, 1911, a flood hit the campus. The water was half a mile wide and very deep. The school lost about $34,000 because of the flood. They did not have insurance.
In 1976, the Navajo Tribal Council created the Navajo Academy. Its first location was in Ganado, Arizona. Both Navajo Academy and Navajo Mission wanted to improve education for Navajo people.
Because they had similar goals, the two schools decided to share the Mission campus in Farmington. This new school was called Navajo Methodist Mission Academy. At first, they were separate schools with different rules.
In 1979, the Mission and the Academy combined their programs. They came under one group of leaders. Over time, the Navajo Mission School stopped operating. The school then became known only as Navajo Academy. Navajo Academy continued until July 1991.
Campus Life: Where Students Live and Learn
The school has dormitories available for students. This means students can live at the school while they study.
Sports and Activities
Navajo Prep competes in the NMAA's District 1-AAA. They play against schools like Crownpoint, Newcomb, Thoreau, Tohatchi, Wingate, and Zuni in most sports. For football, they compete with Newcomb, Tohatchi, and Zuni.
Championship Wins!
Here are some of the state championships won by Navajo Prep and its earlier forms:
- Navajo Prep
- 1995 Girls Basketball, Class AA-2
- 1996 Girls Basketball, Class AA
- 1997 Girls Basketball, Class AA
- 1999 Girls Basketball, Class AA
- 2021 Girls Basketball, Class AAA
- 2024 Girls Basketball, Class AAA
- 2024 Boys Basketball, Class AAA
- Navajo Academy
- 1991 Girls Basketball, Class AA-1
- Navajo Mission
- 1968 Football, Class B
