A resolution passed during the March Board of Trustees meeting at Navajo Preparatory High School officially names the new student home Long Home, honoring founding board member Charley Long Sr.
Long has dedicated more than three decades of service to Navajo Preparatory School, beginning in 1991 as a founding member of the Board of Trustees.
For students, the 16-room building expands on-campus housing and academic opportunity, providing space to live and learn on campus. With its new name, the residence also serves as a lasting tribute to Long’s leadership and service.
Long, who is of the Naakaii Diné’é clan and born for the Ashįįhi’ clan, is a lifelong resident of Coolidge, New Mexico, and has served as a community leader, educator and public servant.
Navajo Prep described Long as a leader whose humility, dedication and service have benefited both the school and the Navajo people.
“Navajo Preparatory School proudly recognizes individuals whose leadership, vision and dedication have shaped the success of our institution and the Navajo Nation,” the school said in a statement.
Completed in 2024, Long Home is a residential facility designed to house up to 32 students. The building includes Jack-and-Jill-style bathrooms, student gathering spaces, a healing room, a counseling office, a kitchen and modern safety features.
The building is also rooted in Diné values, featuring a courtyard with a Navajo wedding basket design that reflects culture, wellness and community.
“This dedication honors Charley Long Sr. for his decades of guidance and unwavering dedication to Navajo Preparatory School,” the school said.
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