According to topschoolsoflaw, Rio Arriba County is located in the north-central region of New Mexico. It was established in 1852 and is one of the oldest counties in the state. The county was named for the Rio Grande, which means “the big river” in Spanish. The county covers an area of 4,739 square miles and is home to over 40,000 people. The area now known as Rio Arriba County has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Archaeological evidence suggests that Paleo-Indians first lived here around 12,000 years ago. Later on, Native American tribes such as the Jicarilla Apache and Navajo settled in the area. The Spanish arrived in the region sometime in the 16th century and began to colonize it by establishing missions and trading posts throughout northern New Mexico. In 1821, Mexico declared its independence from Spain, and Rio Arriba County became part of the newly formed Mexican state of Nuevo México (New Mexico). After Mexico ceded this territory to the United States following the Mexican-American War (1846-48), Rio Arriba County became part of New Mexico Territory when it was created by Congress in 1850. In 1852 it was organized into a separate county with Tierra Amarilla as its county seat. The county’s economy has traditionally been focused on agriculture and ranching, but over time other industries have grown including tourism, mining, manufacturing, lumbering and oil production. Today, Rio Arriba County is a largely rural area with an economy that relies heavily on government services such as education and healthcare. The county also has a strong cultural heritage rooted in its Native American past; many residents still speak native languages or practice traditional customs like weaving or pottery making. Rio Arriba County continues to be an important part of northern New Mexico today thanks to its rich history and diverse culture. From ancient archaeological sites to modern day businesses, this unique place offers something for everyone to enjoy. Rio Arriba County is home to a number of school districts, each providing quality education to the county’s students. The largest district is the Española Public Schools, which serves over 8,000 students in grades Pre-K through 12th grade. The district operates 13 elementary schools, four middle schools and three high schools. It also has one alternative school and two charter schools. The Española Public Schools are dedicated to providing a well-rounded education for all students in the district. It offers an array of academic programs including Advanced Placement courses, dual credit opportunities and career and technical education pathways. In addition, it provides a variety of extracurricular activities such as sports teams, performing arts groups and student clubs. The other school districts in Rio Arriba County include Chama Valley Independent Schools, Dulce Independent Schools, Tierra Amarilla Independent Schools, El Rito Independent Schools and Canjilon Public Schools. All five districts provide educational services for their respective communities with varying levels of success due to their smaller size and limited resources. In addition to the traditional public school districts in Rio Arriba County there are also several charter schools that serve various communities throughout the county. These include Valley Charter School in Tierra Amarilla; Rio Grande Preparatory Institute in Española; Abiquiu High School; El Rito Elementary/Middle School; Dulce High School; Chama Middle/High School and Canjilon Elementary/Middle School. Each of these charter schools offer specialized instruction tailored to meet the needs of their individual student populations while still adhering to state standards for academic achievement and accountability. The Rio Arriba County school districts strive to provide quality educational opportunities for all students regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds or learning styles. Through rigorous academics, extracurricular activities and community outreach programs these school districts are helping ensure that all children have access to a bright future full of possibilities. Check Usprivateschoolsfinder to learn more about New Mexico private schools by county.