Sandia Preparatory School
Encyclopedia
Sandia Preparatory School is a private
, secular college preparatory school located in Albuquerque, New Mexico
.
In 1958, Barbara Young Simms began to investigate the possibility of starting a girls day school in Albuquerque. In 1965, she secured land, established a board of trustees and formed the Sandia School, a nonsectarian school. In late January 1966, the Rev. Paul G. Saunders, an Episcopal priest, was selected headmaster and, later that year, the school opened. The year began with 75 students in grades 5 through 10 (grade 11 was added the next year; grade 12 the year after), and finished with 82 students.
In 1969, Orell Phillips served as interim headmaster while the school's board searched for a new head. In 1970, Mose Hale became third headmaster. Three years later, Sandia School became coeducational. In 1974, Elton Knutson was selected as fourth headmaster.
The school began to refer to itself as Sandia Preparatory School during the 1975-76 academic year. Fifth-grade classes were discontinued in the 1985-86 school year. For the next academic year, Dick Heath joined Sandia Prep as its fifth headmaster.
Since its founding in 1966, Sandia Prep has grown from a girls' school serving 82 students in three buildings to a coeducational institution serving 670 students in multiple buildings and facilities that fill a 30 acres (121,405.8 m²) campus. The first graduating class in 1969 consisted of six girls; this year's graduates will number 100.
Sandia Prep is "descended" from the original Sandía School, a private day and boarding school for girls founded by Ruth Hanna McCormick
(Barbara Young Simms' aunt by marriage) in 1932. Its first year, Sandía School held classes for five students and one teacher in a private house where Manzano Day School is now located. The school was formed in part to help prepare girls for further study or college in the Eastern United States.
In 1937, the school moved to a new permanent campus (now part of Kirtland Air Force Base). Mrs. Simms commissioned architect John Gaw Meem
to design the school complex in the territorial style. By 1938, the school had 75 students, nine of whom were boarders, and 18 faculty. In 1942, due to World War II, Sandía School closed. A number of alumnae from the first Sandía School actively participated in the organization of the current Sandia Prep School.
The school has a rotational schedule of six days lettered "A"-"F." There are also eight periods, seven of which are featured in a school day. For instance, periods 1-7 are held on an "A" day. The eighth period is then carried out to a "B" as the first period, which then goes through period 6. Session 7 will then be carried out to the next day and so on.
and "atmosphere."
that seats 600 people in the bleachers and can be configured for four basketball courts or four volleyball courts. The second gym is the Field House, completed in 2008, and, in addition to the main gymnasium, it includes a weight room, multipurpose room, locker rooms, offices, and spacious lobby area. In September of 2010, the track had been renewed, with new landscaping. The outdoor Heath Sports Complex was dedicated to the past headmaster, Dick Heath.
as well as a box office.
band, choir, and drama rehearsal rooms.
The Tennis Team won the only State Championship in 2010. They haven't lost a match in over two years.
Two Sandia Prep graduates have gone on to play in the NFL.
Private school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
, secular college preparatory school located in Albuquerque, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
.
In 1958, Barbara Young Simms began to investigate the possibility of starting a girls day school in Albuquerque. In 1965, she secured land, established a board of trustees and formed the Sandia School, a nonsectarian school. In late January 1966, the Rev. Paul G. Saunders, an Episcopal priest, was selected headmaster and, later that year, the school opened. The year began with 75 students in grades 5 through 10 (grade 11 was added the next year; grade 12 the year after), and finished with 82 students.
In 1969, Orell Phillips served as interim headmaster while the school's board searched for a new head. In 1970, Mose Hale became third headmaster. Three years later, Sandia School became coeducational. In 1974, Elton Knutson was selected as fourth headmaster.
The school began to refer to itself as Sandia Preparatory School during the 1975-76 academic year. Fifth-grade classes were discontinued in the 1985-86 school year. For the next academic year, Dick Heath joined Sandia Prep as its fifth headmaster.
Since its founding in 1966, Sandia Prep has grown from a girls' school serving 82 students in three buildings to a coeducational institution serving 670 students in multiple buildings and facilities that fill a 30 acres (121,405.8 m²) campus. The first graduating class in 1969 consisted of six girls; this year's graduates will number 100.
Sandia Prep is "descended" from the original Sandía School, a private day and boarding school for girls founded by Ruth Hanna McCormick
Ruth Hanna McCormick
Ruth Hanna, Ruth Hanna McCormick or Ruth Hanna McCormick Simms was a United States Representative from Illinois.-Life:Ruth Hanna McCormick Simms was the daughter of Mark Hanna and the wife of Sen...
(Barbara Young Simms' aunt by marriage) in 1932. Its first year, Sandía School held classes for five students and one teacher in a private house where Manzano Day School is now located. The school was formed in part to help prepare girls for further study or college in the Eastern United States.
In 1937, the school moved to a new permanent campus (now part of Kirtland Air Force Base). Mrs. Simms commissioned architect John Gaw Meem
John Gaw Meem
John Gaw Meem IV was an American architect based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is best known for his instrumental role in the development and popularization of the Pueblo Revival style...
to design the school complex in the territorial style. By 1938, the school had 75 students, nine of whom were boarders, and 18 faculty. In 1942, due to World War II, Sandía School closed. A number of alumnae from the first Sandía School actively participated in the organization of the current Sandia Prep School.
Curriculum
Sandia Prep is an independent school, so thus its curriculum is independently created. The school does not offer AP and other standardized courses due to the justification of their courses already being accelerated.The school has a rotational schedule of six days lettered "A"-"F." There are also eight periods, seven of which are featured in a school day. For instance, periods 1-7 are held on an "A" day. The eighth period is then carried out to a "B" as the first period, which then goes through period 6. Session 7 will then be carried out to the next day and so on.
Philosophy
Sandia Prep's philosophy is derived from the balance of the "5 'A's;" "academics", "arts", "athletics", "activities",and "atmosphere."
Saunders Library
The library contains over 17,000 volumes. The facilities in the library include a computer lab with 23 computers plus 20 drop-in computers to be used at any time by students. There is also one multi-purpose classroom.Athletic facilities
Sandia Prep has two soccer fields, one baseball field, one softball field, a six lane track, recently resurfaced, and four tennis courts. The campus also includes the West Gymthat seats 600 people in the bleachers and can be configured for four basketball courts or four volleyball courts. The second gym is the Field House, completed in 2008, and, in addition to the main gymnasium, it includes a weight room, multipurpose room, locker rooms, offices, and spacious lobby area. In September of 2010, the track had been renewed, with new landscaping. The outdoor Heath Sports Complex was dedicated to the past headmaster, Dick Heath.
Observatory and 1-9 classrooms
Sandia prep is the only high school in New Mexico that has its own observatory. The nine classrooms adjacent to it include some of the school's math and science rooms.100 Building
Located in the Commons, it contains the science labs and 2 computer labs, 1 being the journalism room.200 Building
Built in 2002, the 200 building contains the majority of all the classrooms with 20 classrooms.400 Building
The 400 building is the 28,000 sq. ft. Field House which holds an 850 seat gymnasium.Theater
The school theater is a part of the performing arts center(700 building). It includes a full stage, seating, and officesas well as a box office.
700 building
The 700 building is the most recent building built in 2009. It contains seven classrooms, administration offices,band, choir, and drama rehearsal rooms.
Russell Student Center
Built in 2002, the Russell Student Center contains the school supply store, the board room, the college counseling office, and the cafeteria.New Mexico State Champions
- Boys Soccer 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010
- Girls Soccer 2002, 2004, 2006
- Volleyball 2004
- Baseball 2001, 2005, 2009
- Boys Team Tennis 2009,2010
- Boys Doubles Tennis 2004,
- Boys Singles Tennis 2008,2010
- Girls Team Tennis 2002, 2005, 2009
- Girls Doubles Tennis 2009
- Girls Singles Tennis 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2009
- Girls Track and Field 1998, 1999
New Mexico State Championships Runners-Up
- Boys Soccer 1996, 2000, 2008, 2009
- Girls Soccer 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
- Boys Basketball 2010
- Boys Doubles Tennis 2010
- Girls Team Tennis 2008
- Boys Track and Field 2006, 2009
- Girls Track and Field 2000
- Volleyball 2003
- Boys Swimming and Diving 2007, 2008
State Competition History
| Year | Boys Soccer | Girls Soccer | Boys Cross Country | Girls Cross Country | Volleyball | Girls Swimming and Diving | Boys Swimming and Diving | Boys Basketball | Girls Basketball | Baseball | Softball | Girls Golf | Boys Golf | Boys Track and Field | Girls Track and Field | Boys Tennis | Girls Tennis | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1st A-AAA | 2nd AAA | X | 3rd AAA | X | X | 1st A-AAA | 3rd A-AAA | ||||||||||
| 2009 | 2nd A-AAA | 2nd A-AAA | X | X | 15th A-AAAAA | 14th A-AAAAA | 3rd AAA | X | 1st AAA | X | X | 6th A-AAA | 2nd AAA | 6th AAA | 1st A-AAA | 1st A-AAA | ||
| 2008 | 2nd A-AAA | 2nd A-AAA | X | X | X | 8th A-AAAAA | 2nd A-AAAAA | 3rd AAA | 9th AAA | 5th AAA | 9th AAA | X | 6th A-AAA | 5th AAA | 11th AAA | 3rd A-AAA | 2nd A-AAA | |
| 2007 | 5th A-AAA | 2nd A-AAA | X | X | 9th AAA | 11th A-AAAAA | 2nd A-AAAAA | 5th AAA | X | 3rd AAA | X | X | 5th A-AAA | 21st AAA | 12th AAA | 5th A-AAA | 3rd A-AAA | |
| 2006 | 1st A-AAA | 1st A-AAA | X | X | 9th AAA | 12th A-AAAAA | 7th A-AAAAA | 2nd AA | 6th AA | |||||||||
| 2005 | 1st A-AAA | 2nd A-AAA | 3rd A-AA | 12th A-AA | 1st AA | 7th A-AAA | 5th AA | 15th AA | 1st A-AAA | |||||||||
| 2004 | 1st A-AAA | 1st A-AAA | 8th A-AA | X | 1st AA | 7th A-AAAAA | 3rd AA | |||||||||||
| 2003 | 1st A-AAA | 6th A-AA | 9th A-AA | 2nd AA | 10th A-AAAAA | 7th A-AAAAA | ||||||||||||
| 2002 | 1st A-AAA | 1st A-AAA | X | 5th A-AA | 13th A-AAAAA | 3rd A-AAAAA | 1st A-AAA | |||||||||||
| 2001 | 1st A-AAA | 1st A-AA | ||||||||||||||||
| 2000 | 2nd A-AAA | 4th AA | 2nd AA | |||||||||||||||
| 1999 | 1st AA | |||||||||||||||||
| 1998 | 1st AA | |||||||||||||||||
| 1997 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1996 | 2nd A-AAA | |||||||||||||||||
| 1995 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1993 | 1st A-AAA | |||||||||||||||||
| 1992 | 1st A-AAA | |||||||||||||||||
| 1991 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1990 | 1st A-AAA | |||||||||||||||||
| 1989 | 1st A-AAA | |||||||||||||||||
| 1988 | 1st A-AAA | |||||||||||||||||
| 1987 | 1st A-AAA | |||||||||||||||||
| 1986 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1985 | 1st A-AAA | |||||||||||||||||
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| 1974 | First Soccer Team | First Basketball Team | First Tennis Team | |||||||||||||||
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| 1966 | Sandia Prep Founded | |||||||||||||||||
| Sandia Preparatory School Athletic Districts | Year: |
|---|---|
| 8AA | ?-2006 |
| 5AAA | 2006- Present-Day |
The Tennis Team won the only State Championship in 2010. They haven't lost a match in over two years.
Two Sandia Prep graduates have gone on to play in the NFL.
District Championships
- Baseball 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009
- Boys Basketball 1993, 1994, 2004, 2005
- Girls Basketball 1989
- Girls Cross Country 2002
- Boys Golf 2002, 2004, 2009
- Boys Soccer 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
- Girls Soccer 1992, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009
- Softball 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005
- Boys Tennis 2003, 2004,2007,2008, 2009,2010
- Girls Tennis 2001, 2002, 2004, 2009
- Boys Track and Field 1989, 1990, 2001, 2004
- Girls Track and Field 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2009
- Volleyball 1987, 1988, 1989, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005