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Nizhoni Accelerated Academy

At NAA, we partner with parents to better understand and guide our students through a successful non-traditional high school experience by providing encouragement and supportive interventions.

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We Continuously Improve

Nizhoni Accelerated Academy continuously improves the instruction we offer by incorporating current research and best practices.

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A Culture of Excellence

Nizhoni Accelerated Academy creates a culture of excellence where all the students are motivated to excel academically.

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We Are Here to Help Students

We work together with our educational community: students, teachers, parents, staff, political officials and community and to help our students become productive members of our society.

Letter From The Director

August 3, 2026
 
Welcome Nizhoni Accelerated Academy Families!
Dear Students, Parents, Guardians, District Partners, and Community Members,
On behalf of the entire Nizhoni Accelerated Academy (NAA) staff, it is my privilege to welcome you to the 2026–2027 school year. We are excited to begin another year dedicated to helping every student achieve academic success while preparing for college, careers, military service, and lifelong learning.
Welcome to Nizhoni Accelerated Academy
Welcome to Nizhoni Accelerated Academy, where every student is empowered to redefine their future through resilience, determination, and personalized support. We believe every learner possesses unique strengths, talents, and unlimited potential. Our mission is to provide a safe, respectful, and supportive learning environment that inspires academic success, personal growth, and meaningful post-secondary opportunities.
As a proud member of the Tuba City Unified School District, Nizhoni Accelerated Academy is committed to the district’s vision of transforming our resilient Warriors into positive and successful lifelong learners. Guided by our G.R.A.S.P. core values—Growth, Respect, Accountability, Strength, and Positivity, we foster a culture where students are challenged, supported, and encouraged to achieve their goals.
At NAA, we recognize that every student's educational journey is unique. Through personalized learning, credit recovery, and flexible pathways to graduation, we help students overcome challenges while preparing them for success beyond high school. Our instructional practices are grounded in Universal Design for Learning (UDL), ensuring equitable access through flexible, engaging, and meaningful learning experiences that meet diverse academic, cultural, and individual needs.
We cultivate a positive school climate through Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) by teaching clear expectations, recognizing positive behaviors, and promoting restorative practices that build responsibility, resilience, and strong relationships. Combined with trauma-informed and culturally responsive instruction, our approach helps every student feel valued, connected, respected, and empowered.
Collaboration with families, community partners, and district staff is essential to student success. We are committed to building strong partnerships that support student achievement, attendance, engagement, and personal growth. We are equally committed to college and career readiness by providing students with opportunities to explore higher education through partnerships and pathways with institutions such as Diné College, Navajo Technical University, and future opportunities with Northland Pioneer College, along with career and technical education, military service, apprenticeships, and workforce development pathways.
As Director, I believe in the power of resilience, the love of learning, high expectations, and meaningful academic relationships. Together, we are building a school where every student is prepared to graduate with confidence, embrace lifelong learning, and become a productive, responsible, and contributing member of their family, community, and society.
Nizhoni Accelerated Academy is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and innovative learning environment where students are empowered to overcome challenges, recover credits, earn their high school diploma, and pursue their future goals with confidence.
 
Looking Forward
The faculty and staff of Nizhoni Accelerated Academy believe that every student can succeed when surrounded by caring adults who maintain high expectations and provide unwavering support. Guided by the principles of Growth, Respect, Accountability, Strength, and Positivity (G.R.A.S.P.), we will continue transforming learning while preparing our resilient Warriors to become positive and successful lifelong learners.
Thank you for your trust, encouragement, and partnership. We look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of every student throughout the 2026–2027 school year.
Together, we are Stronger Together.
Ahéhee' (Thank you),
Michael S. Bilagody
Director
Nizhoni Accelerated Academy

  • Our success begins with a dedicated team of professionals who are committed to serving every student.
    • Director: Michael S. Bilagody
    • Counselor: DuShon Monongye
    • Secretary: Sonya Shorty
    • Exceptional Student Services (ESS) Educator: Peterson Butler
    • Mathematics Educator: Cathrina Galleros
    • Substitute Educator: Ronda Anderson
    • Custodian: Effie Banda
    Together, we bring experience, compassion, and a shared commitment to creating meaningful learning opportunities for every student who enters our campus.
     

  • Nizhoni Accelerated Academy supports the district's mission by providing high-quality instructional leadership, personalized learning opportunities, and comprehensive student support services. We believe every student deserves equitable access to rigorous instruction in a positive, respectful, and safe learning environment where they are encouraged to reach their fullest potential.
    Our academy emphasizes academic recovery while preparing students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed for success after graduation.

  • Our work at Nizhoni Accelerated Academy is guided by the district's strategic vision of transforming our resilient Warriors into positive and successful lifelong learners. This vision inspires every decision we make and every opportunity we provide for our students.
    We proudly embrace our district's core values of Growth, Respect, Accountability, Strength, and Positivity (G.R.A.S.P.). These values define our school culture, strengthen relationships, encourage personal responsibility, and inspire academic excellence while preparing students to become responsible citizens and future leaders.
    To support this vision, Nizhoni Accelerated Academy is committed to advancing the district's five strategic goals:
    1. Improve school district climate by fostering a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and supportive learning environment where every student feels valued and respected.
    2. Increase student enrollment by expanding personalized learning opportunities, credit recovery pathways, innovative instructional programs, and community outreach.
    3. Improve communication and customer service through meaningful partnerships with students, families, staff, district leadership, and community stakeholders built on trust, transparency, and collaboration.
    4. Increase student achievement from Pre-K through 12th grade by providing rigorous instruction, evidence-based teaching practices, continuous progress monitoring, and high expectations for every learner.
    5. Align resources to support student success by strategically utilizing personnel, instructional materials, technology, facilities, and professional learning opportunities to maximize student outcomes.

  • During the upcoming school year, we will continue expanding opportunities for students by:
    • Director Office Hours: 8:00–9:00 a.m. daily for parents, guardians, and students (by appointment).
    • Strengthening personalized instruction and credit recovery programs.
    • Increasing opportunities for Project-Based Learning (PBL) and authentic learning experiences.
    • Expanding access to Dual Enrollment, Career and Technical Education (CTE) certifications, workforce development, and work-based learning.
    • Continuing campus improvements that promote trauma-informed practices, social-emotional learning (SEL), and student wellness.
    • Providing Tuesday Tutoring from 2:30–5:00 p.m. to support student achievement.
    • Offering Saturday Academy each month to assist students with credit recovery and graduation requirements. (Pending federal grant approval).

  • CLICK HERE for August 3, 2026 Letter (PDF)

    CLICK HERE for August 3, 2026 Letter (docx)

NAA Information Board

District Announcements

CLICK HERE for All

District News

CLICK HERE for All

Nizhoni Accelerated Academy Activities

August 11th

BACK TO SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM [Click for details]

September 10th

SELF-AWARENESS DAY 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM [Click for details.]

District Dates for NAA Students

CLICK HERE for Downloadable District Calendar (PDF)

TCUSD SY26-27 Calendar

  • Thursday, September 17th

    Quarter 1 Parent/Teacher Conference

    For TCJHS parents, guardians, and families. 

  • Quarter 1 Early Dismissal Wednesdays:

    August 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th.

    September 2nd, 9th, 23rd, and 30th. 

  • Quarter 1 Holidays – NO SCHOOL

    Friday, August 14th – Navajo Code Talker Day

    Monday, September 7th – Labor Day

Nizhoni Accelerated Academy Calendar

Accessibility View of Full-Page Calendar
View Full Calendar

Building Blocks of Crisis Response

HOLD

“In Your Classroom or Area”

Students are trained to:

  • Clear the hallways and remain in their area or room until the “All Clear” is announced. 
  • Do business as usual.

Adults and staff are trained to:

  • Close and lock the door.
  • Account for students and adults.
  • Do business as usual.

SECURE

“Get Inside, Lock Outside Doors”

Security is called when there is something dangerous outside of the building. Example: wild animal, nearby police investigation, etc.

Students are trained to:

  • Return to the inside of the building. 
  • Business as usual.

Adults and staff are trained to:

  • Bring everyone indoors. 
  • Lock the outside doors.
  • Increase situational awareness.
  • Account for students and adults.
  • Business as usual.

LOCKDOWN

“Locks, Lights, Out of Sight”

A lockdown is only initiated when there is an active threat inside or very close to the building. 

Students are trained to:

  • Move away from sight.
  • Maintain silence.
  • Do not open the door.

Adults and staff are trained to:

  • Recover students from the hallway if possible.
  • Lock the classroom door. 
  • Turn out the lights. 
  • Move away from sight.
  • Maintain silence. 
  • Do not open the door. 
  • Prepare to evade or defend. 

EVACUATE

“To a Location”

Students are trained to:

  • Leave stuff behind if required to.
  • If possible, bring their phone.
  • Follow instructions.

Adults and staff are trained to:

  • Bring roll sheet and Go Bag (unless instructed not to bring anything with them, dependent on the reason for evacuation).
  • Lead students to the Evacuation location.
  • Account for students and adults. 
  • Report injuries or problems using Red Card/Green Card method.

 

SHELTER

“State Hazard & Safety Strategy”

Hazards might include:

  • Tornado
  • Hazmat
  • Earthquake
  • Tsunami

Safety strategies might include:

  • Evacuate to the shelter area.
  • Seal the room.
  • Drop, cover, and hold.
  • Get to high ground.

Students are trained in:

  • Appropriate Hazards and Safety Strategies

Adults and staff are trained to:

  • Appropriate Hazards and Safety Strategies.
  • Accounting for students and adults.
  • Report injuries or problems using the Red Card/Green Card method.

Standard Response Protocol

TCUSD has adopted Standard Response Protocol and

is training students & staff.

 

CLICK HERE for Parent/Guardian Handout (PDF)

CLICK HERE for Video Overview

Operation: Reunification

Picking up students after incidents safely is the

Reunification Protocol families should know.

 

CLICK HERE for Parent/Guardian Handout (PDF)CLICK HERE for Video Overview