| Kirtland Central High School | |
| Motto: | Igniting knowledge as the gateway to a successful future. |
| Streetaddress: | 550 Road 6100 |
| City: | Kirtland, New Mexico |
| Zipcode: | 87417 |
| Country: | United States |
| Principal: | Rebecca M. Benedict |
| Fundingtype: | Public |
| Schooltype: | High School |
| Campus: | Suburban |
| Team Name: | Broncos |
| Athletics: | 17 sports |
| Athletics Conference: | NMAA AAAA District 1 |
| Colors: | Purple & Vegas Gold |
| Class: | 19 |
| Enrollment: | 708 (2018–19)[1] |
| Staff: | 44.71 (FTE) |
| Ratio: | 15.84 |
Kirtland Central High School (KCHS) is located in the town of Kirtland, New Mexico, United States. Its colors are purple and gold and their mascot is the Bronco. KCHS is a part of the Central Consolidated School District along with Newcomb High School and Shiprock High School.
Kirtland Central is a New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) AAAA school in District 1-4A. KCHS competes in 15 NMAA sport and Activity Events. KCHS has taken a total of 32 State Championships in 3A & 4A.
| State Champions | Year: | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Girls' Basketball | 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2010, 2012, 2022, 2024 | 21 |
| Boys' Basketball | 1978, 2001, 2002, 2003 | 4 |
| Football | 1963, 1964, 1969, 1973 | 4 |
| Girls' Golf | 2000 | 1 |
| Girls' Cross Country | 1999 | 1 |
| Girls' Volleyball | 1988 | 1 |
| Boys' Track & Field | 2001 | 1 |
The Kirtland Central girls basketball program has put together one of the most astonishing dynasties in New Mexico high school sports. Since 1979, the Lady Broncos have appeared in 35 State Championship games and have a total of 21 state titles and 14 state runners-up. Kirtland Central is nationally ranked #4 in girls basketball for the most state titles in the USA by the National Federation of State High School Associations. The girls program has produced many All-Americans, such as; Colette Hatch (New Mexico State), Cara Priddy (University of Texas), Karina Zapata (Brigham Young) and Karyn Karlin (University of Arkansas). Kirtland Central also has had numerous great outstanding standouts such as Nadia Begay (Boise State), Jaimey Tanner (Montana State), Sharon Max (Eastern New Mexico) and many others.
The girls' program began with making it to the state championship game in 1979 before falling to St. Pius X High School. They then won eight consecutive state titles (1980–1987). Kirtland Central then became major rivals with Shiprock High School. Together, they have met for state championship a total of nine times, with Kirtland winning five: (1987, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2010) and Shiprock winning four: (1988, 1989, 1990, 1992). Kirtland Central also won four state titles in 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996, and made a 3-peat from 2003 to 2005. The Lady Broncos had undefeated seasons in 1981 (27–0), 1984 (26–0), 1986 (27–0), and 1996 (27–0). In addition, the Lady Broncos were runners-up in 1979, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2019, 2020, and 2023.
The most recent state title occurred in 2024 as the Lady Broncos defeated St. Pius X High School.[2]