Chinle Unified School District No. 24 (CUSD) is a public unified school district headquartered in Chinle, a census-designated place in Apache County, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation, United States. It is managed by a five-member elected school board, each of whom is Navajo, and operates by state rules. As of 2020, nearly all of the district's 3600 students are Navajo. CUSD serves several unincorporated areas in Apache County, including Chinle, Cottonwood, Del Muerto, Lukachukai, Many Farms, Nazlini, Rough Rock, Sehili, Tsaile, and small portions of Round Rock and Sawmill. The district has an area of 4200 sqmi. Its buses travel 6000 miles per day to transport students to and from the schools. It is within the Navajo Nation.

History

Chinle Unified School District was organized by the state of Arizona and Apache County in 1958. It celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2008. A district gathering at the Wildcat Den, the community arena, on July 25, 2008 celebrated this milestone event. In July 1983 the Red Mesa Unified School District was formed, splitting from the Chinle School District.

Demographics

In 2016 the district had 3,300 students. the district had about 3,600 students, with about 99% being Navajo people, a.k.a. Diné. In 1998 the district had more than 4,500 students, with 95% being Navajo.

Schools

Former schools

The following were reassigned when the Red Mesa Unified School District formed:

Other facilities

The district operates multiple housing complexes for employees. CKC Phase II Homes and CKC Phase III Homes are next to the district headquarters in Chinle. CJHS Bobcat Homes is adjacent to Chinle Elementary School and Chinle Junior High School. Many Farms Homes and Tsaile Homes are in those respective communities.

Transportation

over 60% of the bus routes include unpaved roads, something that increases wear and tear on the buses.

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