CAREER PREP ALTERNATIVE

As a very small four-year high school in SHIPROCK, New Mexico, CAREER PREP ALTERNATIVE teaches 118 students from grades 9 through 12, one of the schools within CENTRAL. That puts it 74% smaller than the typical public school in New Mexico, which averages around 450 students.

CENTRAL runs 16 schools in total, collectively educating 4,539 students. CAREER PREP ALTERNATIVE is one of those campuses.

Looking at the student body, CAREER PREP ALTERNATIVE logs that 88% of students identify as Native American, making the school strongly Native American-majority. Other groups include 6% Hispanic, 5% multiracial.

In terms of school funding signals, On paper, CAREER PREP ALTERNATIVE has 13 full-time-equivalent teachers, translating to a class-load average of around 9.1:1. The state averages around 22.9:1, so this campus is tighter than the state norm typical. Around 99% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, a number frequently used as a low-income enrollment indicator.

In the surrounding community, census data for San Juan County shows the typical household earns roughly $55,872 per year, about 18% of the adult population holds a bachelor's degree or above, and roughly 18% of residents live below the federal poverty line. In all, San Juan County runs 62 public schools (combined enrollment of about 21,309 students), of which CAREER PREP ALTERNATIVE is one.

The closest other public school is EVA B STOKELY ELEMENTARY, roughly 0.1 miles away. 8 of the 8 nearest public schools sit inside a five-mile radius.

The campus sits in a town-based setting.

Five-year trend. CAREER PREP ALTERNATIVE's enrollment has declined 14% since 2018, when it stood at 137 (now 118). Class-load math has tightened: from 11.9:1 in 2018 to 9.1:1 in 2025.

In the discussion threads here, the feed for CAREER PREP ALTERNATIVE typically covers school events, parent volunteer needs, and clubs. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.