Academics

Intended for students who truly love reading, writing, and discussing, the Advanced English Seminar class demands passionate engagement while offering a high level of autonomy and independence. As a community of readers and writers, students collaboratively design the curriculum and calendar. The reading is abundant, with an emphasis on self-selected works. In addition to expository, creative, and personal writing, students will explore various modes of literacy. During the fall semester, the class collaborates to design a project—or series of projects—that integrates multimodal literacy with impact learning goals. Together, students explore the issues that matter most to them and consider how reading, writing, and creative expression can make a meaningful difference.

The American Studies course connects history and literature to explore the complexity of the evolving American narrative. Students learn about major events and movements from the 1870s to the present while reading fiction, nonfiction, and poetry to develop an empathetic understanding of other perspectives and times. Students also reflect on New Mexico’s unusual place in the national story, strengthening connections with community by exploring local authors and issues. In addition to personal essays, research projects, discussions, and presentations, students share their knowledge and creativity in a final exhibition. This double-period course, required of all juniors, is taught by instructors from the English and History departments and meets the credit requirements
in both disciplines.

6th Grade DareDevil Design
DareDevil Design is a purpose-driven lab where students become changemakers through creative problem-solving and human-centered design. Grounded in empathy, innovation, and collaboration, students tackle real-world challenges, build prototypes, and partner with local organizations to co-create impactful solutions. They develop resilience, advocacy skills, and a deeper sense of purpose while participating in national competitions like Future City and The Lanterns Project, as well as showcasing their work at DesignLab’s Exhibition Night.
 

7th Grade DareDevil Design
Seventh-grade DareDevil Design is a course focused on increasing students’ digital literacy in the modern world. The course offers an introduction to the field of computer science field as a medium for creativity, problem-solving, and fun. First, students focus on simple program design in the visual programming language Scratch, followed by more complex designs in the Python programming language. Next, topics such as robotics and AI are explored. Throughout the year, students discuss the effect technology has on our daily lives.

Drawing & Painting 2 builds on the curriculum from the first level, delving deeper into techniques that help students achieve realistic effects in their artwork. Art students learn how to enlarge an image using the grid technique and how to layer paint to create volume and form. They have plenty of opportunities to hone their drawing skills at this level, specifically through the use of cross-contour lines, value mapping, and a strong light source. Students also explore the use of glazing—a technique that uses translucent layers of paint to create a luminescent effect.

Industrial Design combines art, engineering, and design elements to create furniture that possesses aesthetic value, serves a specific function, and benefits the broader community. Students collaborate with nonprofit organizations and community service groups in designing and building modern furniture and products for those in need. Students learn hands-on skills, find their passions, and apply them to a meaningful contribution to the community. Through the lens of industrial design, students develop aesthetic value, technical competence, and analytical thought while building empathy for a cause that is close to their hearts.

For students interested in human behavior and purpose, this introductory psychology course explores brain function, learning, and cognition in the first semester, followed by social psychology in the second. Students examine group dynamics, developmental stages, and mental health, while engaging in hands-on projects that build empathy, strengthen community ties, and promote mental health advocacy. Through research and reflection, they’ll connect psychological concepts to their own lives and goals.

This advanced Spanish course combines language learning with real-world issues at the U.S.-Mexico border. Students enhance their Spanish skills by reading, writing, listening, and speaking using authentic materials, such as news, literature, and interviews. They study immigration challenges faced by Latin American communities and express these stories through a creative mixed-media art project called The Border Doors. The course concludes with a public art exhibit and a student-led campaign aimed at raising awareness and promoting social justice. Students also gain hands-on experience working with local organizations, developing leadership, empathy, and social responsibility through community projects and a border immersion trip.