Saved Schools

Dził Ditł’ooi School of Empowerment, Action, and Perseverance (DEAP)

Dził Ditł'ooi School of Empowerment, Action, and Perseverance (DEAP), nominated by NACA Inspired Schools Network, is a middle/high school in Navajo, New Mexico, that describes itself as a public charter school serving learners from a primarily rural area.

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Location Navajo, New Mexico

Governance Public Charter School

Grades Middle, High

Students 68

Locale Rural

Executive Director Dr. Morgan Wilson

Demographics

Percentage of students*

18%

English Learners

100%

Free/Reduced Lunch

1%

Students with Disabilities

African American or Black —

American Indian/Alaska Native 100%

Asian —

Hawaiian or Pacific Islander —

Hispanic or Latino —

White —

2+ Races —

Why Dził Ditł’ooi School of Empowerment, Action, and Perseverance (DEAP) was nominated

Dził Ditł'ooi School of Empowerment, Action and Perseverance (DEAP) is a community-based, Common Core-aligned state charter school committed to improving academic and cultural achievement opportunities for Native youth. In Navajo, New Mexico where DEAP is located, the area is rich with Native history, culture, land, and natural water sources. The mission of DEAP is to help students develop a sense of place, tradition, and wellbeing, preparing and empowering youth to take action in transforming their community and the world around them. DEAP offers equitable and culturally relevant learning environments and instructional material; maintenance of Diné (Navajo) language; and opportunities for engagement with the local community. DEAP provides a strong, Indigenous curricula designed to be culturally relevant for a 100% Navajo student body by drawing on the rich cultural and social resources in the community that are often absent from traditional schools. DEAP’s educational model rebuilds students’ relationships with their culture and sovereign status, helping students reclaim pride in their history and community. For example, DEAP’s classroom climate includes coursework that is accompanied by experiential opportunities, such as 6th-9th grade students working through a traditional Kinaalda rite of passage ceremony, celebrating the transition from child to adult within the tribe. Students work together in planting a community garden with traditional seeds and plants. The Diné language is closely interwoven into academic and experiential activities. This promotes comprehensive, hands-on learning, encountering language’s role in describing traditional activities, and studying the etymology of language over time (such as the influence of Spanish and English).

Student experience design

DEAP is intentionally designed to create a student experience rooted in empowerment, cultural identity, academic rigor, and personal agency. The school was built to ensure that students do not simply attend school — they belong, they are known, and they are prepared to lead. At DEAP, the student experience integrates three core pillars: cultural relevance, high expectations, and holistic support. Students engage in rigorous, standards-aligned academics while seeing their language, history, and community reflected in the curriculum. Cultural identity is not an add-on; it is embedded into daily learning, leadership structures, and school traditions. This strengthens confidence, resilience, and connection. Academically, students are challenged to think critically, communicate effectively, and solve real-world problems. Instruction is data-driven and responsive, ensuring that each student receives the support or acceleration needed to thrive. High expectations are paired with strong relationships so that students understand both accountability and encouragement. DEAP also emphasizes empowerment. Students are given leadership opportunities, voice in school culture, and experiences that connect classroom learning to community impact. The goal is not only graduation, but preparation — preparation for college, career, civic engagement, and lifelong learning. Ultimately, DEAP is designed to cultivate confident, culturally grounded, academically capable young people who understand their value and their responsibility to their community.

Core Practices

Core Practices Length of Use

Culturally Responsive Practices
5+ years

Industry-aligned Learning Pathways
1-2 years

Micro-credentials And Badging
1-2 years

Project-based Learning
5+ years

Restorative Practices
1-2 years

All Practices

Student Advisories

Anti-racist Practices

Apprenticeships

Assessments For Social-emotional Skills

Career Advising & Support

Career Exploration

Client Projects

College Advising & Support

Community And Workforce Partnerships

Family And Community Support Services

Disaggregated Data On Student Participation

Early College High School

Flexible Staffing & Alternative Teaching Roles

Higher Education Partnerships

All Courses Designed For Inclusion

Industry-recognized Credentials

Educators Have Industry Experience

Mental Health Services

1:1 Mentoring

Multi-tiered System Of Support (MTSS) In Academics

Multi-age Classrooms

Industry Networking

High Quality Instructional Materials

School-based Enterprises

SEL Curriculum

SEL Integration School-wide

Service Learning

Student-led Conferences

Students Access Their Own Data

Student-led Goal Setting

Self-paced Learning

Students Develop Projects

Trauma-informed Practices

Tutoring

Universal Design For Learning

Youth Employment Programs

Career Prep

key reasons for innovating

Address chronic absenteeism

Improve academic achievement

Improve student mental health

Date Updated: 4/1/2026

*Canopy profile data is self-reported or sourced from NCES data, then verified by school leaders.