San Juan County is Serious About Education!
One can tell much about a community and its future by examining its collective commitment to excellence in education. From Pre-K through college or university and continuing into workforce development and quality of life-enhancing noncredit education for seniors, San Juan County is serious about education.
San Juan County is rightfully proud of the strong commitment it makes through investment in the education of its children, youth and adults. It’s a globally competitive economy and San Juan County’s public-school systems and community college are focused on creating successful, job-ready citizens. After all, students of all ages are critical to the economic success, well being and future of a community.
San Juan County’s Public School Districts and Community College
San Juan County is home to four public school districts and one community college. Branches of two NM four-year universities are also located in the County.
Each of the public school districts and the community college have their own locally elected boards to represent the unique communities they serve. The public school districts are the Aztec Municipal School District, Bloomfield School District, Central Consolidated School District and the Farmington Municipal School District. Additionally there is an International Baccalaureate World School, Navajo Prepatory School, owned by the Navajo Nation and serving native and non-native students.
San Juan College – A Fantastic Community Asset
First-time visitors to San Juan County are amazed by the enrollment numbers and beauty of the San Juan College campus in Farmington. And rightly so. The college is an educational resource that makes all of San Juan County proud – including Dr. Toni Hopper Pendergrass, the College President – herself a San Juan County native. Not surprisingly, the college and several of its key leadership team members are vital partners to and supporters of Four Corners Economic Development (4CED).
With an enrollment of approximately 10,000, San Juan College is the fifth-largest college in New Mexico. It is a regional education leader with five campuses, including the main Farmington campus, the 30th Street Education Center, 800 S. Hutton Street Complex, San Juan College East in Aztec and San Juan College West in Kirtland.
Through online and in-person options, San Juan College offers hundreds of very affordable, high-value two-year degree and certificate programs, non-credit community learning classes, workforce training or bachelor’s and master’s degrees in partnership with state universities.
There are five key intersections of business development programming between San Juan College, 4CED and the great San Juan County business community. These are: The Quality Center for Business and its business enterprise center; the Small Business Development Center (SBDC); the Center for Workforce Development; the San Juan College School of Energy; and KSJE Radio. More about all these resources are found by clicking San Juan College below.
Colleges and Universities
San Juan College
Founded in 1956, San Juan College serves a unique and culturally diverse population, and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. With an enrollment of approximately 10,000, San Juan College is the fifth-largest college in New Mexico. It is a regional education leader with five local campuses. Through online and in-person options, San Juan College offers more than 130 affordable associate degree and certificate programs, non-credit classes, workforce training, and bachelor and master degrees in partnership with state universities.
University of New Mexico San Juan Center
UNM San Juan Center, located in the vibrant northwest corner of New Mexico, serves the needs of local students, helps them achieve their next academic goals, and encourages the discovery of new ideas that will make our state and our world a richer place.
Diné College
Established in 1968, Diné College is the first tribally controlled and accredited collegiate institution in the United States. The college serves a mostly Navajo student population across the Navajo Nation and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The College offers general education courses, certificates and associate and bachelor degrees in the subject matter areas important to the economic, political, environmental and social development of the Navajo Nation.
Navajo Technical University
Originally established in 1979, Navajo Technical University (NTU) became the first university in the Navajo Nation in 2013. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, NTU provides college readiness programs, certificates, associate, bachelor and graduate degrees rooted in the Diné Philosophy of Education. The main campus is located in Crownpoint, NM in neighboring McKinley County with four other locations in New Mexico and Arizona, including an instructional site in Kirtland, NM.
New Mexico Highlands University
New Mexico Highlands University has a Farmington branch campus on the campus of San Juan College. NMHU is a public, state-run institution, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The university offers several undergraduate programs, including criminal justice, psychology, nursing, business, media, technology, education and social work. NMHU also offers a graduate program in Business Administration.
School Districts and Navajo Preparatory School
Farmington Municipal School District
The Farmington Municipal School District encompasses nearly 11,000 students from preschool through high school within 19 schools. One school, Ladera del Norte Elementary, received a 2019 National Blue Ribbon School, one of only three schools in New Mexico to receive the award.
Aztec Municipal School District
The Aztec Municipal School District serves Aztec, the county seat of San Juan County. The district has six schools and serves over 2,800 students.
Bloomfield Municipal School District
The Bloomfield Municipal School District is centered in Bloomfield, but serves an approximate
1,500 square mile attendance area. All seven schools are accredited by the State of NewMexico. The district serves 3,000 students, with student enrollment being one-third Anglo, Hispanic and Navajo.
Central Consolidated School District
The Central Consolidated School District serves approximately 6,000 students in 15 schools over a 3,000 square miles enrollment area, including the communities of Kirtland, Ojo Amarillo, Newcomb, Naschitti and Shiprock. Much of the New Mexico portion of the Navajo Nation is served by CCSD.
Navajo Preparatory School
The only Navajo-sanctioned, college-preparatory school for Native Americans, Navajo Preparatory School recruits some of the best and brightest students of the Navajo Nation. Looking to the future, the school offers students a challenging, innovative curriculum in science, math, computers, and other traditional academic subjects. In harmony with the past, it steeps the youth in a deep appreciation of the Navajo Language, culture, and history.