You need to know your child, know yourself, and know the school. Here are some key facts about Sunset Mesa that
can help you decide your answer to this question. Two of the traditional values instilled at Sunset Mesa are respect and
cooperating with friends. These combine to create an enjoyable and orderly learning environment. In the preschool
years, we work in earnest to help children achieve these goals.

At Sunset Mesa, healthy early childhood development is important. Academics are also important. We blend the two
so that learning happens through activities that are engaging, intentional, and developmentally appropriate. We will
make the most of each day with your child.

Families also must be willing to invest their time in order to maximize the opportunities at Sunset Mesa. We partner
with our families in the way we share information and ask for participation in the goals set for the children. We ask
families to help the children become independent, develop positive behavior, and support our activities by helping with
occasional projects, volunteering for special events, attending programs and activities, and by participating in meetings and conferences.

Preschool: 16 with 1 teacher and 1 assistant

Kindergarten: 16 with 1 teacher and 1 assistant

1st Grade: 16

2nd Grade: 18

3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade: 20

Sunset Mesa makes every effort to maintain a standard of respect, kindness, morality, and honesty.  The basic method of accomplishing this is by creating a positive learning environment in which students are respectful of authority and responsible for their actions. The Sunset Mesa discipline philosophy encourages self-respect, self-discipline, cooperation, good behavior, and development of problem-solving skills.

All staff members who work directly with children are required to complete the assigned reading and attend trainings on Positive Discipline (Nelsen, 2007).

The preschool campus has a single building with a walled playground and entry points which are only unlocked at dismissal and arrival times.  During school hours, visitors are screened before allowed into the building.

Students are dismissed directly from a teacher to a parent or someone authorized by a parent. Children are always supervised.

Adults model and teach that people should respect and care for one another. Administrators and faculty devote significant time and energy to developing a sense of community and friendship among students; as a result, students can feel physically and emotionally safe among their peers.

Staff is professionally trained to respond to a variety of emergency situations.

Early Childhood teachers have degrees. Montessori teachers are AMS certifed. Whether Early Childhood or
Montessori, each student will receive the same opportunities for learning and growth in language arts, math, STEM,
physical education, music, fine motor, and much more.

High quality curriculum is developed to provide foundational skills, as well as, opportunities for teachers to challenge
students The school makes a significant investment in curriculum training for teachers to enhance their skills.

Teachers and administrators work diligently to have a continuity of curricular implementation from preschool through
5th grade.

Teachers provide classroom environments and experiences that recognize and utilize each child’s unique learning style
through the methods of differentiated instruction. All staff have been trained using Carol Tomlinson’s Practice of
Differentiated Instruction.

Play and exercise are key to great education and childhood is not sacrificed. Our children have plenty of recess time on our beautiful, well-equipped playground.

Children receive Spanish, Music, and Get Fit throughout the week.

STEAM is an area of focus where teachers provide multiple cross-curricular opportunities for learning and emphasize higher-level thinking skills. The Garden of Tomorrow becomes the backdrop for many STEM activities as well as developing a love of nature.

We have an open-door policy and welcome your questions and thoughts. Each preschool teacher uses Microsoft Teams to post daily events
and curriculum goals for the classroom. Additionally, teachers post newsletters, events, pictures of your child’s day.

Our school website is a wealth of information and the school offices send parent alerts, email announcements and reminders.

Parents are welcomed to join the Sunset Mesa Parent Association, an organization designed by parents to support the school in
providing their children with a quality education along with helping to foster a community network for the school’s
families.

Parents can volunteer in classrooms for special projects, community events, and to make special presentations in their
5elds of expertise.

Sunset Mesa uses the Iowa Test of Basic Skills for grades 1-S. This test series provides scores and analyses in comparison to students and schools nationwide. The students’ scores at every grade level are among the highest in the nation. Scores by grade level in reading and math are published, and families receive comprehensive information on their child’s results each summer.

Test results have two broad uses at this school. First, comparing Sunset Mesa students’ scores from year to year against a national standard is one measure for evaluating the effectiveness of curriculum and instructional practices. Second, standardized tests are one tool (among many) for assessing the performance of individual students; this assessment can indicate needs for particular focus, emphasis or assistance for that child.

For several decades, Sunset Mesa has had an exceptionally high acceptance rate into the Albuquerque independent middle schools; these private schools test and interview extensively to insure that admitted students are “ready. Specific discussions with middle school administrators and teachers indicate that Sunset Mesa students are well- prepared and successful in the various middle schools.

Study and organizational skills are practiced and emphasized at all grade levels.

Foundational academic knowledge and skills are emphasized at all grade levels.

Sunset Mesa students develop a healthy attitude toward education that customarily makes them eager to apply their abilities in the middle school environment.

The tuition that families pay covers almost all costs. Sunset Mesa makes no separate charges for instructional materials,
activities fees, technology fees, or gross receipts tax. Families do purchase their own school supplies and are
occasionally asked to pay a small amount for a classroom activity or field trip expense. Optional expenses include hot
lunch, milk, and a yearbook for preschoolers.

Families are NOT asked to fundraise at any point during the school year to contribute to the operation of the school.
Annual fund drives, capital campaigns, and Christmas paper sales do not happen at Sunset Mesa. No one will ask you
to name the school as a beneficiary in your will.