RIO GRANDE, An independent school serving students pre-K through sixth grade in Santa Fe, NM

Admission to Rio Grande School

Rio Grande School serves children who are ready and excited to learn, and welcomes families who are committed to their children's education.

RGS seeks to admit students whom we believe can succeed personally and academically. Siblings and children of alumni receive special consideration, provided they meet the academic and personal standards of RGS.

Admission Procedures

• Contact the Director of Admission to request an application or download one below.
• Schedule a tour of the campus with the Director of Admission.
• Submit the completed application and application fee of $75; each additional child is $50. 
• If you are seeking tuition assistance, click here.

Schedule a student classroom visit and academic achievement assessment. Students applying to the Early Childhood Program and kindergarten will participate in group screenings beginning in December and continuing into January. Students applying to Grades 1 through 6 will spend a day in their current grade level.

• Submit previous progress reports, confidential teacher recommendations, and any supporting materials. We cannot make an admission decision until all application materials are received.

Rio Grande School does not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, faith or religion, physical ability, or national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, financial aid policies, or other school-administered programs.

Admission to all grade levels is on a rolling, space-available basis, but families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

The Admission Committee makes decisions in the best interest of each applicant, as well as the best interest of the specific grade level. Students are admitted based on the school's ability to meet their  academic, social, emotional, and physical needs and on the basis of available space. If a class is enrolled to capacity, prospective students are placed in a wait pool. As openings are confirmed, prospective families are notified.

Required Supporting Materials
A teacher recommendation form is given to your child's current classroom teacher. We ask the teacher to mail the completed confidential form directly to RGS.

Each applicant must complete the "request for transcript" form and give it to the applicant's current school. Please ask the school to include a copy of your child's current report card with the transcript.

In addition to the application form and teacher recommendation, school records, and tests and evaluations, it may be necessary for RGS to talk to a child's current teacher for additional information.

Student Visits
Each student applying for admission to first through sixth grade spends a day with the class to which he or she is applying. Our teachers then share their observations about the student with the Director of Admission. Visit days may be scheduled with the Director of Admission.

Open House
We host an Open House each fall for prospective families. You are invited to tour our campus, meet our students, and visit with RGS faculty, administrators, and staff.

Application Materials to Download

Admissions Checklist (565kb)                                                                                                                           
Early Childhood Program Application (1.46mb)                                                                                              Teacher Recommendation Form, Grades K and 1 (138k)
Application K Through Grades Six (2.10)                                                                                                           Teacher Recommendation Form, Grades 2 through 6 (148k)                                                                    
Early Childhood Parent Questionaire (687kb)                                                                                                  Parent Questionaire For Grades 1 Through 6 (791kb)                                                                       

Contact
Barbara Bentree, Director of Admission
Phone: 505.983.1621, extension 2002
E-mail: barbara_bentree@riograndeschool.org