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805 Apache Street, Fort Apache, AZ, 85926

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Our History: A Legacy of Education and Tradition

From our humble beginnings in the early 20th century, Theodore Roosevelt School has grown into a vibrant community hub for educational excellence and cultural preservation. Grounded in the values of inclusivity and respect for Ndee knowledge, our evolution is marked by key milestones in curriculum development, infrastructure expansion, and partnership-building. Each step in our journey reflects a commitment to fostering academic success and honoring the heritage that shapes our students’ identities. As you explore our timeline, you’ll discover how these defining moments continue to guide our mission and inspire future generations

  1. Army abandons Fort Apache

    The U.S. Army abandons Fort Apache.

    1922
    A group of people on horseback rides in a line across a grassy field with trees and hills in the background.

  2. Theodore Roosevelt Indian Boarding School founded

    Theodore Roosevelt Indian Boarding School founded using Fort Apache facilities.

    1923
    A group of people gathered outside a building near trees on a clear day.

  3. Major construction begins

    Major construction begins for the school; teachers’ quarters, dormitories, and school buildings completed by the mid-1930s.

    1930
    A group of cattle lined up outside with handlers nearby on a dirt area, with buildings and trees in the background under a cloudy sky.

  4. First Apache Culture Center

    First Apache Culture Center and Fort Apache Museum opens in the Log Cabin.

    1969
    Two men standing outdoors. One is wearing a suit and tie, and the other is dressed in a hat and holding a rifle. A mountainous landscape is in the background.

  5. White Mountain Apache Tribe takes control

    White Mountain Apache Tribe takes control of the Theodore Roosevelt School curriculum.

    1980
    Empty vintage classroom with rows of wooden desks, world maps on walls, and large windows allowing natural light.

  6. Fort Apache Master Plan

    Fort Apache Master Plan adopted.

    1993
    Artwork of a Native American figure in front of a stylized American flag background.

  7. Log Cabin restored.

    Log Cabin restored.

    1994
    A rustic house with a white picket fence and chimney, set against a backdrop of trees and hills under a clear blue sky.

  8. Nohwike' Bágowa museum facility open

    Nohwike’ Bágowa museum facility opens; the Tribe continues restoring historic structures with support from partners.

    1997
    Aerial view of a rural town with buildings, roads, and green fields surrounded by hills under a clear blue sky.

  9. Supreme Court ruling

    Supreme Court ruling allows the Tribe to preserve Fort Apache.

    2003
    The United States Supreme Court building with its neoclassical facade under a clear blue sky, an American flag flying nearby.

  10. Assume control of Fort Apache

    White Mountain Apache Tribe and Fort Apache Heritage Foundation assume control of Fort Apache, initiating significant rehabilitation and revitalization efforts.

    2007
    A one-story school building with "Theodore Roosevelt School" written above the entrance. An American flag is on the right, and barren trees are in the background.