Chinle High School serves several unincorporated areas in Apache County, including Chinle, Cottonwood, Del Muerto, Lukachukai, Many Farms, Nazlini, Rough Rock, Sehili, Tsaile, and small portions of Round Rock and Sawmill.

[10] It is also tied for the rank of 15th-largest high school basketball gymnasium in the United States.

[citation needed] In the 21st century, this school and others in the district, have struggled with gang activity; some brought by students who had lived in large cities before coming or returning to this largely rural area of the reservation.

The community has also struggled with poverty, drug and alcohol abuse, and family issues.

In 2003, a display of weapons confiscated from students included baseball bats, knives, nunchucks and brass knuckles.