Our History

The Founding and Growth of Many Farms High School

Many Farms has a rich history dating back to 1937, when it was first established as a small farming community near an irrigation dam. Known to community members as Dá’ák’eh Halani, the area’s original Navajo name was To Naneesdizi, meaning "Water Stringing Out in Rivulets." This name reflects the importance of water and agriculture in the community’s early development.

During World War II, Many Farms became an essential economic hub. It housed the Navajo Tribal Slaughterhouse and Cannery, which supplied fresh and canned meat for reservation schools, hospitals, and even the armed forces.

Many Farms High School is in the heart of the Navajo Nation in Many Farms, Arizona, approximately 15 miles northeast of Canyon De Chelly National Monument. Established in 1969, the school has served as a cornerstone of education for Navajo students, providing academic instruction and cultural preservation within a residential school environment.

The history of Many Farms High School is closely tied to Chinle Boarding School, which was founded in 1910 and operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) until 1976. In 1976, Chinle Boarding School was relocated to Many Farms, taking over an existing elementary school and merging with Many Farms High School to form a single campus.

This consolidation streamlined educational resources for the Navajo community and helped define the school’s mission. Before Diné College, the first tribally controlled college in the United States moved to Tsaile, Arizona, originally located on the Many Farms school complex. This connection highlights the school’s historical role in higher education and its mission to prepare students for college and beyond.

Today, Many Farms High School continues to thrive, providing a comprehensive educational experience to approximately 445 students annually. Its dedicated faculty consists of 35 teachers and a large support staff. The school operates under the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) and provides separate dormitories for male and female students, ensuring a structured and supportive residential environment.

The Learning Environment at Many Farms High School

Many Farms High School has continuously adapted to meet our students' academic and cultural needs. Initially, we emphasized vocational training, basic academics, and assimilation policies. The curriculum emphasized agriculture, trades, and domestic skills, reflecting the early approaches to Native American education.

The Many Farms High School vision has always been to provide a comprehensive education that reflects its students' cultural identity and traditions. As the Navajo Nation took greater control over its educational programs, the school transitioned toward a more culturally responsive curriculum, integrating Diné language, history and traditions alongside math, science, English, and social studies. A holistic learning environment emerged that emphasized the following:

• College preparation,
• Leadership development
• Career readiness

MFHS was located beside the Many Farms Community School (formerly Chinle Boarding School), a K–8 boarding school, creating a seamless educational pathway for elementary to high school students. Over the years, the renovation and expansion of the school campus has been a priority. Development projects have focused on:

• Improving campus organization and efficiency.
• Adding new facilities, such as a gymnasium, dormitories, dining rooms, and staff quarters.
• Returning unused land to the Navajo Nation to maintain local control over resources.

In 1991, challenges related to maintaining and maintaining the male dormitory highlighted the ongoing need for facility improvements. Renovation and expansion projects have ensured that Many Farms High School remains a beacon of education, cultural preservation, and student success.

The Navajo Community of Many Farms

The town of Many Farms and Many Farms High School have long been central hubs within the Navajo Nation. In its early years, the community developed irrigation-based farming, allowing families to raise livestock and cultivate crops. Over time, the town grew to include residential housing, government facilities, and educational institutions, reinforcing its role as a secondary growth center for the Navajo Nation.

Students at MFHS maintain a strong sense of identity while preparing for academic and professional success. The school has played a vital role in Navajo culture preservation by integrating Diné teachings, traditional storytelling, and language immersion programs into its curriculum.

The school encourages community involvement, with parents, elders, and local leaders to participate in school events, language programs, and cultural workshops. This intergenerational knowledge-sharing helps students stay connected to their ancestral roots while embracing modern opportunities.

Many Farms High School’s commitment to the Navajo community extended beyond the classroom. Students frequently participate in:

• Cultural field trips to sacred sites such as Canyon de Chelly, Monument Valley and Window Rock.
• Leadership programs that connect students with tribal government and higher education institutions.
• Athletic competitions, traditional dance performances, and community service projects, strengthening cultural pride.

Connections to Other Tribes and School Communities

Many Farms High School has long maintained strong relationships with other tribal schools, communities, and educational institutions nationwide. These connections allow the school to collaborate on curriculum development, cultural exchange programs, and student success initiatives.

MFHS is part of a network of Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools,  enabling students and faculty to share resources, attend intertribal conferences, and participate in national education initiatives. These connections provide students with access to higher education, vocational training, and mentorship opportunities.

Through sports, academic competitions, and leadership training, Many Farms High School students engaged with peers from other Indigenous communities, fostering unity and cultural exchange. The school’s athletic teams regularly compete with other Native American schools across Arizona and neighboring states, building camaraderie and mutual respect among students of diverse tribal backgrounds.

Many Farms Forever

Many Farms High School stands as a symbol of the Navajo Nation's resilience, strength, and cultural pride. From its origins as the Chinle Boarding School to its current role as a thriving high school, MFHS has continuously adapted to meet the needs of its students.

Integrating Navajo traditions into education, fostering strong community ties, and preparing students for future success, Many Farms High School remains a pillar of learning, leadership and cultural preservation.

As the school continues renovation and expansion projects, it upholds its mission to educate and empower future generations of Navajo students. Through education, community, and cultural pride, MFHS students will continue to shape the future of the Navajo Nation for years to come.