History

Founded in 1978 as a Kindergarten - Grade 6 by a group of parents who sought an arts and experiential focus, Rio Grande welcomed 30 students to a rented space in downtown Santa Fe. The following year, the school acquired five acres in the foothills on the east side of Santa Fe and built a modest two-story structure, known today as the Early Childhood Building. During the 1980s, two portable classroom buildings were added to accommodate the growing student population. As the school approached the 21st century, families and a $6 million-phased capital campaign helped develop the current campus and evolving programming. Today, the school educates an average of 165 students from three years of age to sixth grade.

In recent years, the Board of Trustees has made concerted efforts to secure the school's financial sustainability. In 2006-2007, they raised $3 million for endowment and helped establish a $300,000 operational reserve fund and a $300,000 fund for Physical Plant Replacement and Special Maintenance. Today, the school has an endowment of over $7 million endowment, operates debt-free, and is fully funded through tuition revenue and targeted fundraising. RGS provides tuition assistance to over 30% of the student body, and 30% of its population represents ethnic diversity.

Over the past decade, Rio Grande School has undergone significant growth—both in its physical campus and in its academic programming—reflecting a forward-thinking, real-world approach to 21st-century education. This transformation has been guided by a central question: “How do we make our very good school great?”

Our answer lies in a deep commitment to interdisciplinary learning, flexible and visible thinking opportunities, outdoor education, hands-on experimentation, and academically challenging experiences that prepare students for the rapidly evolving learning landscape. We challenge students to think critically and creatively, solve problems with purpose, and engage deeply with their environment and community.

Students at Rio Grande School benefit from low student-teacher ratios that allow for personalized attention and meaningful relationships. Learning extends beyond reading, writing, and math to include science, social studies, Spanish, research skills, fine and performing arts, physical education and health, and experiential education grounded in environmental stewardship. These diverse learning contexts support the whole child's development academically, socially, emotionally, and ethically.

Our students consistently find placement in the secondary schools of their choice, supported by a dynamic curriculum emphasizing reflection, inquiry, and real-world relevance. The faculty represents the best the field of education has to offer, with more than half holding post-graduate degrees and an average tenure exceeding a decade. Their experience, passion, and dedication help create a vibrant and caring learning environment where students are nurtured and challenged.

At Rio Grande School, we believe great schools are not static—they evolve. We remain committed to growing thoughtfully and intentionally to ensure our students are prepared for the next step in their education and for lives of purpose, curiosity, and impact.