Philosophy
History and Philosophy
Monte del Sol Charter School is an independent public school. It maintains a non-sectarian program and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, handicap, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or cultural heritage in the administrations of its educational program. We embrace diversity fully.
Monte del Sol charter school is a small, rigorous, community-minded, public school of choice. It was born in December 1999 in a spirit of collaboration with and support from the Santa Fe School District. We opened our doors in August 2000 with 121 students in seventh and eighth grades and added a grade per year, each grade moving up, until we reached 360 students enrolled in grades 7-12 by the 2004 to 2005 school year. The class of 2005 was the first graduating class of the school. 
The founders of Monte del Sol believed that learning best takes place in a small school environment where all students are known well. They believed that all learning is relational and that interactive, engaged learning is an essential element. Hence a wide variety of instructional methodology including project-oriented teaching, discussion based, reflective journal writing, experiential education, outdoor education, independent projects and individualized instruction occurs as do traditional lecture models. The school has an outstanding special services department serving the high numbers of gifted students and special needs students. Homework is expected in most classes.
Every student has a faculty advisor with whom they meet regularly in "Home Group" to set and monitor academic goals and social goals and to build a strong bond of relationship between student and adult. With a few exceptions, every faculty member in the school has a Home Group of ten to twelve students who they meet with two or three times a week. Home Group Advisors also facilitate three parent conferences a year with the student and his/her parents to review performance and to set goals for the coming quarter and to date we have had over 95% parent participation at conferences.
Monte del Sol actively recruits for a diverse student body. That diversity is reflected in the current year's enrollment of 40% Hispanic students, 4% Asian students, 52% Anglo students, 4% bi-racial students as well as in the wide range of ability levels. We average a 93 percent retention rate of the student body and a 95 percent graduation rate. Ted Sizer's Coalition of Essential Schools model serves as a guide to the development of the school.
Admission to Monte del Sol is through a lottery drawing and since our founding we have had an eager waiting list. Currently, there is an 8 to 1 ratio of applicants to spaces available. Charter Schools in New Mexico are required to renew their Charter every five years and our charter was renewed in June 2004. We are currently in the process of renewing our charter for a further five years. By all measures of success, the school has made a significant impact on education in the Santa Fe community and we trust that the best is still to come.