Where A Love of Learning Begins

Sunset Mesa School is a locally owned, private school that has been educating our bright futures since 1948.

Elementary School

Academic Preschool

Where Potential Thrives…

The vast potential of our children is only discovered when it has been given a chance to flourish. We make Sunset Mesa School a place to explore, learn and discover art, music and performance. A place where potential is given a chance to thrive.

Everyday… Discoveries Happen

We provide an exceptional enrichment curriculum taught by specialists in each area that fosters children’s creativity and self confidence. 

Character is Cultivated…

While educational tools and techniques can change, we make school a place that models and teaches character, respect and hard work.   

Friendship and Families Create Our Community

Community mindedness and caring for others is deeply integrated into our daily work, as well as our school events and community service.

Testimonial -Dr. Erin Bell

“Sunset Mesa sets the highest standards in education through its curriculum”

Sunset Mesa sets the highest standards in education through its curriculum. The teaching staff is helpful, attentive, and with the smaller class sizes, makes the education of my children feel more personalized to their needs. Together with all of the faculty, they foster a community environment, encouraging parents to participate in their children’s educational experience and build relationships with other parents. Sunset Mesa is a family – one that my children and I feel lucky to have.

-Dr. Erin Bell

Testimonial – Albert Garcia

“Both children are thriving and love the school and their friends”

Both of my children transferred from another local private school, and while the transition was challenging, and at times difficult, their teachers and staff made every effort to help both children catch up to the other students. Both are now thriving and love the school and their friends.

– Albert Garcia

Testimonial – Rathi Casey

“Sunset Mesa has nurtured my daughter’s love for learning”

Sunset Mesa has nurtured my daughter’s love for learning through a robust academic curriculum and a supportive learning environment. Ben and I will forever be grateful for the impact this has had on the early years of her life, laying a solid foundation for her future success!

– Rathi Casey

Testimonial -Josh and Melissa Rogers

“Strong sense of community”

As parents, our journey with Sunset Mesa has been nothing short of transformative. From the moment we enrolled our daughters, we knew we had made the right choice. 

The dedication of the Sunset Mesa faculty and staff is truly remarkable. They not only educate but also nurture each child, understanding their individual strengths and challenges. Our girls have flourished academically, socially, and emotionally under their guidance.

What sets Sunset Mesa apart is its strong sense of community. The support and camaraderie among parents, teachers, and students create a warm and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and supported.

We wholeheartedly endorse Sunset Mesa to any parent seeking an exceptional education for their child. It has been a privilege to be part of this incredible school community, and we look forward to our children’s continued growth and success with Sunset Mesa.

-Josh and Melissa Rogers

Testimonial – Trevor and Denise Riggs

“Fun and positive learning environment”

Beyond teaching my children how to reach academic excellence, Sunset Mesa provides a caring group of highly talented teachers who truly care about each of their students. My kids receive a superb education while being a part of a magnificent community where they are seen and known. They love going to school not only because of their sweet friendships at Sunset Mesa but also because of the fun and positive learning environment the entire staff has created.

– Trevor and Denise Riggs

Testimonial – Drs. Kevin and Anne Harrison

“The culture on campus fosters strong academics”

We have three children attending Sunset Mesa Elementary and Preschool. Our oldest is in 3rd grade and started at Sunset Mesa in Kindergarten. The culture on campus is one that fosters strong academics and a supportive environment that involves families. We couldn’t be more pleased with our experience and our children’s preparation for the future.

-Drs. Kevin and Anne Harrison

Testimonial – Megan & Dennis Napier

“SMS supports us in developing our children’s characters, not just their test scores.”

We were looking for a challenging academic program for our kids, and what we found at Sunset Mesa was an inclusive, welcoming community for our entire family that reinforces the values of respect, positive discipline, and community mindedness we value at home. SMS supports us in developing our children’s characters, not just their test scores.

-Megan & Dennis Napier​

Testimonial – Kathleen Lucero

“My two Kids were very well prepared for the challenge of middle school and high school.”

Highly recommend this school for kids wanting a  good foundation before going to any of the college preparatory schools. My two kids both attended and were very well prepared for the challenges of their middle school and high school curriculum.

-Kathleen Lucero

Testimonial – Margie Espe

“If you are looking for a school where your child will thrive, look no further.”

 Both my children started in the Pre-K program.  One in the montessori program, the other in the early childhood program.  Both experiences were amazing.  My son has graduated from Sunset Mesa School and is now attending Albuquerque Academy.  My daughter is entering the third grade.  The school comes with an experienced staff and welcoming parent community.  Many of the teachers have been there 10+ years.  It is an enriching educational experience that offers a safe and happy learning environment.

– Margie Espe

Testimonial – Heather Summers

“A great learning environment for our kids!”

– Heather Summers

Testimonial – Albert Garcia

“Both children are thriving and love the school and their friends”

Both of my children transferred from another local private school, and while the transition was challenging, and at times difficult, their teachers and staff made every effort to help both children catch up to the other students. Both are now thriving and love the school and their friends.

– Albert Garcia

Testimonial – Rathi Casey

“Sunset Mesa has nurtured my daughter’s love for learning”

Sunset Mesa has nurtured my daughter’s love for learning through a robust academic curriculum and a supportive learning environment. Ben and I will forever be grateful for the impact this has had on the early years of her life, laying a solid foundation for her future success!

– Rathi Casey

Testimonial – Trevor and Denise Riggs

“Fun and positive learning environment”

Beyond teaching my children how to reach academic excellence, Sunset Mesa provides a caring group of highly talented teachers who truly care about each of their students. My kids receive a superb education while being a part of a magnificent community where they are seen and known. They love going to school not only because of their sweet friendships at Sunset Mesa but also because of the fun and positive learning environment the entire staff has created.

– Trevor and Denise Riggs

Testimonial – Margie Espe

“If you are looking for a school where your child will thrive, look no further.”

 Both my children started in the Pre-K program.  One in the montessori program, the other in the early childhood program.  Both experiences were amazing.  My son has graduated from Sunset Mesa School and is now attending Albuquerque Academy.  My daughter is entering the third grade.  The school comes with an experienced staff and welcoming parent community.  Many of the teachers have been there 10+ years.  It is an enriching educational experience that offers a safe and happy learning environment.

– Margie Espe

Testimonial – Heather Summers

“A great learning environment for our kids!”

– Heather Summers

Testimonial – Susan Johnson

“Sunset Mesa prepared our son for a success in education and life.”

– Susan Johnson

Testimonial – Meghan Stanford

“Sunset Mesa teachers rock!”

Sunset Mesa teachers rock! Every year we think we’ve seen the best teacher our kids will have, maybe ever. But that’s the standard here!

– Meghan Stanford

Testimonial – Michaela Chavez

“Sunset Mesa School offers the best educational experience a parent could ever expect.”

Sunset Mesa School is a phenomenal school that offers the best educational experience a parent could ever expect. Both my children are graduates of Sunset Mesa and both were well prepared for middle school. I love the fact that the Sunset Mesa community is a family atmosphere.

– Michaela Chavez

Testimonial – Jay McCleskey

“This is an absolutely great school!”

This is an absolutely great school! My son attended Sunset Mesa from preschool through the 5th grade, and is now attending the Albuquerque Academy. 

– Jay McCleskey

Testimonial – Kirsten White

“Our children gained confidence to head into middle school.”

I am so grateful we found this amazing school. We have three children who attended this school from Pre-K through graduation. The solid educational foundation provided by the caring teachers here prepared our children to academically succeed. In addition the opportunities to have Spanish, computers, music and PE on a regular basis was important to our children’s growth. Between the small class sizes and the supportive  school environment, our children gained confidence to head into middle school prepared to meet the academic challenges. 

– Kirsten White

Testimonial – Kathleen Lucero

“My two Kids were very well prepared for the challenge of middle school and high school.”

Highly recommend this school for kids wanting a  good foundation before going to any of the college preparatory schools. My two kids both attended and were very well prepared for the challenges of their middle school and high school curriculum.

-Kathleen Lucero

Testimonial – Megan & Dennis Napier

“SMS supports us in developing our children’s characters, not just their test scores.”

We were looking for a challenging academic program for our kids, and what we found at Sunset Mesa was an inclusive, welcoming community for our entire family that reinforces the values of respect, positive discipline, and community mindedness we value at home. SMS supports us in developing our children’s characters, not just their test scores.

-Megan & Dennis Napier​

Testimonial – Drs. Kevin and Anne Harrison

“The culture on campus fosters strong academics”

We have three children attending Sunset Mesa Elementary and Preschool. Our oldest is in 3rd grade and started at Sunset Mesa in Kindergarten. The culture on campus is one that fosters strong academics and a supportive environment that involves families. We couldn’t be more pleased with our experience and our children’s preparation for the future.

-Drs. Kevin and Anne Harrison

Testimonial -Josh and Melissa Rogers

“Strong sense of community”

As parents, our journey with Sunset Mesa has been nothing short of transformative. From the moment we enrolled our daughters, we knew we had made the right choice. 

The dedication of the Sunset Mesa faculty and staff is truly remarkable. They not only educate but also nurture each child, understanding their individual strengths and challenges. Our girls have flourished academically, socially, and emotionally under their guidance.

What sets Sunset Mesa apart is its strong sense of community. The support and camaraderie among parents, teachers, and students create a warm and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and supported.

We wholeheartedly endorse Sunset Mesa to any parent seeking an exceptional education for their child. It has been a privilege to be part of this incredible school community, and we look forward to our children’s continued growth and success with Sunset Mesa.

-Josh and Melissa Rogers

Testimonial -Dr. Erin Bell

“Sunset Mesa sets the highest standards in education through its curriculum”

Sunset Mesa sets the highest standards in education through its curriculum. The teaching staff is helpful, attentive, and with the smaller class sizes, makes the education of my children feel more personalized to their needs. Together with all of the faculty, they foster a community environment, encouraging parents to participate in their children’s educational experience and build relationships with other parents. Sunset Mesa is a family – one that my children and I feel lucky to have.

-Dr. Erin Bell

Our Teachers are Committed to Each Student

The teachers at Sunset Mesa are devoted to teaching to each child’s abilities and learning styles and have all the resources available in order to do it.

We’ve Educated a Bright Future Since 1948

We are proud of our long-standing reputation in the community for strong academics and values. Our students typically test at the top of the country. In the Iowa Test of Basic Skills 2023, our 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Graders outscored 94% of their peers, while 4th & 5th graders were in the top 1% relative to their peers.

An Education that Inspires Excellence.

Sunset Mesa results from 2023 Iowa Testing.

Rising to the Challenge.

Sunset Mesa results from 2023 Iowa Testing. 2022 National Average for mathematics and reading from NAEP.
2022-2023 APS Average for mathematics and reading from the New Mexico State Summative Assessment.

Awarded the Blue Ribbon in 2008 for Academic Excellence