Our goals are to develop each child's personal talents and a life-long passion for learning and exploration; to create a caring environment where each child has opportunities for self-expression and growth; and to encourage the values of friendship, leadership, citizenship and service.

This school is unique in integrating the sciences, math, social studies and multicultural arts into all aspects of the strong academic curriculum. We are committed to the vision of providing exciting and enjoyable educational opportunities in a nurturing, child-centered environment. The multi-age format promotes cooperation, leadership, community and team work.

The 3-5 year old class (preschool and kindergarten) celebrates the joy and delight of play and the learning that occurs when children are encouraged to explore and question the world around them at their own pace. The children's social growth is supported by a safe environment in which they can explore themselves and their feelings in relation to others. Gardening and taking care of animals and nature are also an important part of the school day.

In the 1st - 6th grade multi-age classes, the academic curriculum includes language arts, mathematics, science, literature, social studies, and Spanish in conjunction with the arts, computers, classical music, American Sign Language, physical education and community service. Our curriculum draws from nationally recognized academic programs and includes many aspects of the Waldorf, Montessori and Expeditionary Learning educational approaches. Careful attention is paid to the academic advancement of each child, which is monitored and documented in order to best serve their individual learning process.

We welcome children who may have learning differences, including the gifted and talented. We invite children of all abilities to experience our inclusive classrooms where each child's individual style of learning and unique strengths are fostered. All children have special, valuable talents and gifts. Children learn in different ways and at their own pace. We use a wide range of teaching techniques, hands-on projects and learning centers that recognize and support different learning styles. We also develop individualized educational plans (IEP's) to support our individualized curriculum.

We practice teaching and learning strategies that promote development of the whole child. Optimal learning takes place in a climate of caring, respect, high expectations, trust, individual integrity, tolerance, understanding and respect for others.

Santa Fe School for the Arts & Sciences uses the arts as a vehicle to explore, enrich, and deliver every aspect of the curriculum. Our arts-immersion curriculum moves away from compartmentalized and isolated learning divided into discrete subject areas, towards an integrated approach that makes connections between all areas of learning. When the arts are integral to education, the content and activities involved in a successful and substantive arts program create a synthesis of learning in all subject areas. The arts are a very powerful tool for integration in the classroom.

By creating and communicating with the materials and processes of the arts, students can learn academic subjects like math and history in a way that supports and encourages their enthusiasm and natural love of exploration and mastery. For example, through the use of rhythmic movement, jumping, dancing or bouncing a ball while counting by threes or fours, children can learn multiplication. Or during a history unit, children may write and perform their own play or story based on an important incident in history. While using music and costumes from the appropriate culture, the children's imagination, creativity and their natural curiosity is activated and lessons are learned and retained effortlessly while the joy of learning and exploration is allowed to flower.

We believe children are sensitive, intelligent, creative beings seeking to learn, to grow, and to express their unique talents, and we believe that the purpose of education is to provide a safe, supportive environment that will enable them to do this. Education begins with respect for children and an appreciation for who they already are. Intelligence arises when children are given opportunities to engage not only their heads, but their hands and hearts as well. In this way, students become balanced, integrated and harmonious human beings.