Navajo Prep Shortlisted for International School of the Year, Local Pride Grows

Navajo Preparatory High School earned international recognition this month when it was announced on Nov. 12 as a finalist for the Tes International School of the Year award. According to a Nov. 14 report in the Tri City Record, Navajo Prep is the sole representative from the Western Hemisphere on the shortlist, a signal that the school s decade long collaboration with the International Baccalaureate has attracted global attention.

The application submitted to Tes emphasizes a multi year strategy anchored in cultural representation, student leadership and measurable academic growth. Central to the nomination was the landmark recognition of Diné as a Language B option in the IB Diploma Programme, a change that integrates the Navajo language into an internationally recognized credential pathway. The school also highlighted extracurricular programming and a five year continuous improvement plan intended to sustain gains in academic outcomes and cultural programming.

Students and school leaders learned of the shortlisting during a special assembly and responded with surprise and pride, framing the nomination as validation of long term work in Indigenous education and leadership development. Tri City Record coverage noted statements from head of school Shawna Becenti and IB coordinator Giovanni Romeo about how the nomination reflects sustained strategic effort, and that the Tes award winner will be announced on Dec. 9, 2025.

For San Juan County the nomination carries practical implications beyond local celebration. Recognition on an international stage can increase the school s visibility to colleges, foundations and philanthropic partners, and strengthen competitive grant applications tied to language preservation and Indigenous education. It also provides a measurable success story for district and county education officials seeking evidence that culturally grounded curriculum and college preparatory programs can coexist and produce recognized outcomes.

Policy makers at the state and tribal levels may view the shortlisting as leverage to expand dual language programming or to fund initiatives that replicate Navajo Prep s model elsewhere. Economically, enhanced prestige can translate into modest but meaningful resources, from recruitment of teachers with specialized training to partnerships that bring internship and scholarship pipelines to students.

Long term, the recognition underlines a trend toward valuing culturally responsive education within global academic benchmarks. By securing an IB language designation for Diné and articulating a sustained improvement plan, Navajo Prep positions itself not only as a community institution but as a case study in how Indigenous language and leadership development can align with international standards. The school and its community now await the Dec. 9 announcement, while local educators and officials assess how to capitalize on the shortlisting to support students and preserve language for generations to come.