Welcome Letter and Information

The Taos Academy Governing Council, Administration and faculty would like to welcome all new and returning students and their families “back to school”. We are looking forward to an amazing year with exciting additions to our student body, faculty, curriculum, programming and facility.

We are so excited to share a few improvements to our wonderful growing campus. First we are expanding our student enrollment to 200 students!! In preparation for the increased student count we welcome our new staff members Mr. Jeff Carr and Ms. Jeanette Henshaw. Next we are in process of completing a sports field to cover the dirt in front of the new STEM Institute building. We will have artificial turf, a muti-use basketball court, and a new playground. No more playing and walking in the dirt

Congratulations to Taos Academy students for their accomplishments last school year. Taos Academy has been issued an A grade for the second year in a row by the Public Education Department. This is quite an accomplishment and I want to congratulate TA staff, students and parents for being dedicated to excellence in education. Again we are all very proud of the success of our students, their hard work, and commitment to achieving academic honor.

To view the entire report, go to

Select school year - 2013-14 and District -Taos Academy. Remember we are not part of the Taos District.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!

Please find the attached 2014-15 calendarand supply list. Check out our new website with this information as well plus much more .Below is an overview of the month for you to plan. More information will follow next week. Please feel free to contact Vicki Robbins or Michelle DeHerrera if you have any questions or need further help. 751-3109 or

  • REQUIRED Student/Parent Orientation Days:

Mandatory for new families, optional for returning families. Highly recommended for all!

Middle School 8/7/14–Student/Parent Orientation from 9-1. All new 5th through 8th grade students along with their parents are required to attend a four hour training to be enrolled at Taos Academy for the 2014-15 school year. This training is also open to any continuing TA parents and students to attend. Please RSVP or call 751-3109.

High School 8/8/14 – Student/Parent Orientation from 9-1. All new 9th through 12th grade students along with their parents are required to attend a four hour training to enroll in Taos Academy for the 2013-14 school year.This training is also open to any continuing TA parents and students to attend. Please RSVP or call 751-3109.

  • School Starting Dates and Times

HIGH SCHOOL ONLY (Including College Link):

SCHOOL STARTS THE WEEK OF:

Monday, August 11th – Friday, August 15th=

School starts at 8:00am and ends at 4:00pm

  • Monday 8/11–School starts at 8:00am and concludesat 4:00pm for High School only this week. Students will participate in orientation activities and begin coursework.
  • Tuesday 8/12 - School starts at 8:00am and concludes at 4:00pm for High School only this week. Students will participate in orientation activities and begin coursework.
  • Wednesday 8/13 - School starts at 8:00am and concludes at 4:00pm for High School only this week. Students will participate in orientation activities and begin coursework.
  • Thursday8/14 –
  • Grades 11 and 12 will be participating in rafting on the Rio Grande (8:30-2:30 at the Rio Grande Visitor's Center in Pilar)

Parents will be responsible for transportation.

  • Grade 9 will be participating in the Rocky Mountain Youth Corp Challenge Course (8:00-3:30 at Taos Academy campus)
  • Friday8/15–Grade 10 will be participating in the Rocky Mountain Youth Corp Challenge Course (8:00-3:30 at Taos Academy campus)
  • Monday 8/18 – Friday 8/22 – High School students onlywill not be attending TA campus this week. However, they are required to stay current with their pacing calendar for online coursework. Students may and are encouraged to attend the Student Success Labat Taos Academy Monday through Thursday from 8-12,if needed.
  • MIDDLE SCHOOL ONLY:

SCHOOL STARTS THE WEEK OF:

Monday, August 18th – Friday, August 22nd

School starts at 8:00am to 4:00pm for Middle School only this week.

  • Monday 8/18 – School starts at 8:00am and concludes at 4:00pm forMiddle School Students only this week. Students will participate in orientation activities and begin coursework.
  • Tuesday 8/19- School starts at 8:00am and concludes at 4:00pm for Middle School only this week. Students will participate in orientation activities and begin coursework.
  • Wednesday 8/20 - School starts at 8:00am and concludes at 4:00pm for Middle School only this week. Students will participate in orientation activities and begin coursework. 5th and 6th grade students will be dismissed for camping trip at 12:00.
  • Thursday and Friday 8/21 & 8/22 – We will be meeting at the TOLBY CAMPGROUND in the Cimarron State Park (on Highway 64 between Eagle Nest and Cimarron). The schedule is as follows:
  • Wednesday, August 20(5thand 6thgrade only)

12:00- 5thand 6thgrade students dismissed from Taos Academy.

1:30-2:00- arrive at Tolby Campground

  • Thursday, August 21

1:00- 5thand 6thgraders are picked up from Tolby Campground

2:00– 7thand 8thgraders are dropped off at Tolby Campground

Friday, August 22(7thand 8thonly)

1:00- 7thand 8thgraders are picked up from Tolby Campground

More detail information to come soon. Parents will be responsible for transportation.

ALL STUDENTS:

Beginning the week of August 25th, students will attend TA on scheduled days: Middle School students attend campus on Monday and Wednesday. High School students attend Tuesday and Thursday. College Link will be scheduled around UNM schedule.

  • College Link students will be required to attend at least three Taos Academy Lab sessions per week.Sign up is required.
  • SSL or student success lab will be offered from 8-12 Monday through Thursday, starting August 18th.

NEW POLICY: All students with a GPA lower than 2.0, a failure in more than two core academic classes and/or not meeting proficiency in any academic area will be placed on probationary enrollment.

  • Friday Math tutoring will be offered from 8-12 starting Friday, September 5th.
  • Ms. Joseph’s and Mr. Miller’s5th/6th grade enrichment class will be offered from 8-4 Tuesday and Thursday starting August 25th. Sign up is required.
  • STEM Institute classes will begin the week of September 1st. Schedule TBA. Sign up is required.

All schedules will be announced at orientation on August 7th8th. Signups will be required and on a first come first serve basis.

GET INVOLVED

Parent Advisory/Foundation Board Meeting

8/27/13 -Parents interested in joining the parent advisory council or foundation board, please attend a meeting on Tuesday, August 26th at 5:30.

If you have any questions feel free to call or email the contacts below:

Vicki Robbins - Administrative Secretary: 751-3109

Traci Filiss – Director/Superintendent: 751-3109

Karin Moulton – Foundation Coordinator: 751-3109

8/11/13 – Governing Council Meeting 5:30