The Flagstaff Unified School District is widely recognized as one of the finest in the Southwest. It offers a wide range of programs to meet the needs of students with diverse backgrounds, interests, and abilities. Through use of non-traditional approaches, Project New Start helps students on the verge of dropping out, and the Teen Parent Program assists young mothers to continue their education while pregnant and during the months following childbirth. Flagstaff was the first school system in the U.S. to implement drug-and-alcohol prevention programs in both its elementary and secondary schools. The district also participates in Communities in Schools, which provides families with access to a range of social services through the schools. Other programs include artists-in-residence, after-school classes for high school credit, Suzuki violin program, parenting programs, bilingual education, and magnet and alternative programs, among others.
The following is a summary of data regarding the Flagstaff Unified School District as of the 2003-2004 school year.
Total Enrollment: 11,433
Number of facilities
elementary schools: 9
middle schools: 2
high schools: 3
other: 2 alternative schools and 5 magnet schools
Student teacher ratio: elementary, 23:1; middle schools, 24:1; high schools, 32:1 (2005)
Teacher salaries (2003-2004)
minimum: $28,280
maximum: $54,000
Funding per pupil: $6,000 including capital
Northern Arizona University (NAU) has more than 13,000 undergraduate and 5,000 graduate students and offers small classes, respected and accessible faculty and advisers, comprehensive libraries, computer labs, research opportunities, career placement, cultural programs and events, recreational facilities, and intramural and NCAA athletics. NAU students can choose from 108 baccalaureate degrees and 55 graduate studies programs. Unique programs range from Colorado Plateau-based forestry to global-ranging bioterrorism. More pedestrian fields such as physical therapy and hotel/restaurant management are available. The university's Center for Excellence in Education promotes a competency based approach to teacher education.
Coconino County Community College, a two year college educating more than 3,000 students, offers programs for students to continue their higher education or to enter the business world.
The Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library consists of a main library, a combined school-branch library in Flagstaff, and eight affiliate branches throughout the county. The main library, built in an attractive ski-lodge style, features four fireplaces and local Native American art. The library contains more than 170,000 volumes and an extensive collection of Arizona and Southwest publications.
Other special collections include a U.S. genealogy collection, the Economic Development Information Center, a large print collection, and the City of Flagstaff Archives.
For its small population, the city is home to a large number of research collections and special libraries, including Lowell Observatory, the Museum of Northern Arizona, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Arboretum (Transition Zone Horticultural Institute), the Cross Cultural Dance Resources Institution, and Northern Arizona University's Cline Library Special Collections and Archives Division.
The many research centers and institutes at Northern Arizona University include the Colorado Plateau Research Station, the Center for Quaternary Studies, and the Institute for Native Americans. The university's Distance Learning Network provides 10 classes per day to non-campus students across the state and is used by many private corporations for special research needs. The U.S. Geological Survey Flagstaff Field Center supports such research as Space Mission support, water locating, earth geology, and image processing.
Public Library Information: Flagstaff City/Coconino County Public Library, 330 West Aspen Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ 86001; telephone (520)779-7670; fax (520)774-9573