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 school is officially supported by the Navajo Nation. This support started in 1991 after an earlier school, Navajo Academy, closed.
The school campus has been updated over the past few years. These updates included new places for students to live (called dormitories), new classrooms, and a new sports area. The school's mascot is the eagle. Its main goal is to give students a challenging high school education that meets high standards. It also offers special programs called International Baccalaureate programs. Navajo Prep works with the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE).
Contents
School History: From Mission to Prep
Navajo Preparatory School has had a few different names over the years. It was first known as Navajo Methodist Mission from 1891 to 1979. Then it became Navajo Mission Academy from 1979 to the mid-1980s. After that, it was called Navajo Academy until 1991.
The school's story began in 1891. Two women, Mary L. Eldridge and Miss Mary Raymond, were sent by a church group to help the Navajos in a place called Jewett, New Mexico. This area is now known as Hogback.
In 1896, Mrs. Mary Eldridge Tripp started a day school for Navajo children in her own cabin. By 1899, a three-room school house opened. Two of these rooms were used as dorms, one for boys and one for girls. The middle room was the classroom. Later in 1899, a boarding school was added. This meant students could live at the school. There were 13 Navajo children living there and 23 white students who came for the day.
Between 1896 and 1903, the school grew. New buildings were added, including a new school house, a new dormitory, and a new dining room. It was sometimes hard for Native American children to get used to living far from home. At these early mission schools, Navajo children were often taught to change their traditional ways and learn Western customs.
Farming and a Big Flood
Farming and raising animals were very important for the school. Without the food grown by students and staff, there would not have been enough to eat because the school had a small budget. In 1913, more land was bought to plant fruit trees. The school had 100 acres for animals and crops, plus 10 acres for the school buildings. Children grew many types of food, like fruits and vegetables.
In 1911, Farmington had a huge rainstorm. On October 5, 1911, there was a flood warning, but staff thought the water would not reach the school. However, at midnight on October 6, they learned that a nearby town, Durango, had three feet of water. Children were woken up, given blankets and bread. The flood hit the campus at four in the morning. The water was very wide and deep. The school lost about $34,000 because of the flood, and 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 the Navajo people. Because they had similar goals, they decided to share the Mission campus in Farmington, New Mexico. This combined school was called Navajo Methodist Mission Academy.
At first, they were still two separate schools with different rules. But in 1979, the Mission and the Academy joined their programs. They came under the same leadership. Over time, the Navajo Mission School stopped operating, and the school became known only as Navajo Academy. Navajo Academy continued until July 1991. After that, Navajo Preparatory School was established.
Academics and Campus Life
Navajo Prep offers special learning programs called International Baccalaureate programs. These programs are known for being challenging and helping students prepare for college.
The school also has dormitories where students can live. This means students from different areas can attend the school and live on campus during the school year.
Sports and Activities
Navajo Prep competes in sports through the NMAA. They are in District 1-AAA. They play against schools like Crownpoint, Newcomb, Thoreau, Tohatchi, Wingate, and Zuni in most sports. For football, they compete against Newcomb, Tohatchi, and Zuni.
Past State Championships
Navajo Prep has a strong history in sports, especially in girls' basketball. Here are some of their state championship wins:
- 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
