Rock Point Community School

Rock Point, Arizona

General Information

Rock Point is a small but determined community located on the Navajo Reservation in Northeastern Arizona near the four corners of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah. The community consists of over 1,600 people scattered in family over an area of approximately 100 square miles. The community “center” consists of an Anglo-owned trading post, a Lutheran Mission Church and School, a community Chapter House (a community meeting place and headquarters of community government), and the Rock Point Community School.  The school itself has approximately 400 students that come from all over the area. RPCS is a K-12 day school with a bilingual/bicultural emphasis.  Approximately 45% of the population prefer to speak the Navajo language.

Program

Network students may come and participate in a typical daily schedule, which includes many courses unique to RPCS and its culture.  The Senior High offers standard academic subjects as well as History, Government, and Economics in the Navajo language. Visiting Network students will be expected to participate in the regular academic program, though they may take electives and/or arrange for special tutoring in Navajo language, culture, and the arts – basketry, weaving, or silversmithing (please call for offerings, as these courses are scheduled only certain quarters). A traditional Song and Dance Festival is held in late February. The month of November is observed as Native American Awareness month in which a variety of cultural activities are planned.

Living Arrangements and Travel

At this time, RPCS Network exchanges are open to small groups accompanied by at least one Network adult. Please note that on-campus or host family housing is not available. Students and chaperones will need to stay in a nearby hotel. The closest accommodations are located in Chinle, Arizona, approximately 49 miles from Rock Point.

The Navajo Reservation may feel like a foreign country within the United States, especially for those coming from the city or the suburbs. Navajo culture differs greatly from that of Anglo people. Adjustment to such a new situation may be difficult for some, and visitors may feel lonely and isolated at first. Network students interested in visiting RPCS must be very mature, independent, and comfortable navigating a new school and community with little assistance. Network guests should be academically solid students. They should be prepared to live in accordance with the host community's expectations.

Visiting students will have the opportunity to experience daily life in an isolated Native American community that is attempting to bridge the traditional past with the contemporary reality of the dominant society.

Groups should fly into Farmington, NM, or Durango, CO, and travel by rental car with their home school chaperone.
Note: Though Phoenix airport may offer lower airfares, it is approximately a 6-hour drive to the reservation.