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Frequently Asked Admission Questions
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Guiding Principles
Q. What is an independent school?
Independent schools have unique missions and are non-profit schools supported by tuition payments, contributions and endowment yield. Schools might also engage in capital campaigns to raise funds for specific major projects.
Q. How are independent schools governed?
Independent schools are governed by a Board of Trustees. The Board is usually comprised of parents, alumni, educators and community leaders. The Board has three primary responsibilities: set policy for the school, ensure fiscal viability and hire the Head of School. The daily operation of the school is the responsibility of the Head of School.
Q. Are you accredited by the State of New Mexico?
We are accredited by the State of New Mexico Board of Education and also by ISAS (Independent Schools Association of Southwest).
Q. What is ISAS?
ISAS is the acronym for Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (www.isasw.org). Manzano Day School is also a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). As a member school, we must follow the Principles of Good Practice established by NAIS (www.nais.org). NAIS has grouped states or regions together to make associations that can communicate, accredit and hold accountable all member schools to follow the
Principles of Good Practice set forth from NAIS. ISAS is comprised of Independent Schools from Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Kansas. ISAS is our accrediting agency. Every ten years our school undergoes a complete site visit where ISAS examines all aspects of the school to ensure the school is following the standards set forth by ISAS and the Principles of Good Practice of NAIS. We also must submit fourth and seventh year interim reports in order to keep our accreditation with ISAS. During the tenth year a self study is done, which is reviewed by an ISAS team before their visit to the school. Following the visit, a report is given to the Standards Committee of ISAS who then make a recommendation to the Association as to whether our school will continue to be accredited by ISAS.
Manzano Day School is very proud of its accreditation from ISAS as we are the only elementary school in Albuquerque with this distinction. Other schools in Albuquerque accredited with ISAS are Albuquerque Academy, Bosque School and Sandia Preparatory School. These schools are grades 6-12.
School Program and Academics
Q. What is your mission?
Manzano Day School is dedicated to innovative child-centered education, excellence in teaching, and Joy in Learning® to prepare children for a life of discovery and community involvement in our diverse world.
Q. What are your core values?
Our core values are: respect, responsibility, integrity and striving for excellence. These core values are embraced by all members of our community including faculty, staff, parents, and administrators and are taught to our children.
Q. When should we apply to your school?
Our admission process starts a year in advance of when your child would be attending Manzano Day School. We accept applications starting August 1 for the following school year.
Q. What are the ages of children attending your school?
Manzano Day School is pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. A child entering pre-k must be four years old by September 1 and five years old by September 1 if entering kindergarten.
Q. What is the length of the school day?
Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students attend five days a week from 8:30 a.m. until 3:15 p.m. First through fifth grade students attend five days a week from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
Q. What is your class size?
All classrooms typically have a maximum of 18 students. In pre-k and kindergarten there is a full time teacher and a full time assistant. In first grade there is a grade level assistant, in second and third grades a grade level assistant and in fourth and fifth grades a grade level assistant.
Q. In addition to core curriculum, do the students participate in any other classes?
All students (pre-k through fifth grade) attend Spanish, art, music, physical education, library studies, and technology classes.
Q. How is curriculum determined?
The curriculum at Manzano Day School is based upon national and state standards. Curriculum review is ongoing and is revised by content area on a rotating schedule. Our curriculum reflects our commitment to hands-on learning and developmentally appropriate content that allows children to experience “Joy in Learning®.”
Q. Do you give standardized tests?
Students in third through fifth grades are assessed through the CTP4, an assessment developed by the Educational Records Bureau to specifically address the needs of high achieving students at schools with high levels of learning standards. The CTP4 specifically assesses achievement in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics.
Additionally, students in third and fourth grades are assessed through the WrAP, a test developed by the Educational Records Bureau to assess student writing samples utilizing an analytical scoring method based upon a six-point rubric.
Q. What are the qualifying characteristics of teachers at Manzano Day School?
Teachers at Manzano Day School hold degrees in the field of education. Many of our teachers have master’s degrees in education. Our experienced faculty is comprised of teachers who have a passion for teaching and a solid understanding of instructional methods that allow them to meet the academic needs of the students in their classrooms.
Q. Where do graduates of Manzano Day School apply?
Our fifth graders apply to a variety of schools in Albuquerque, though most matriculate to other ISAS schools (Albuquerque Academy, Bosque School and Sandia Preparatory School).
Q. Do the students go on field trips?
Field trips are an important aspect of the curriculum at Manzano Day School. They are carefully chosen and planned to enrich the classroom learning experience. Typically, students go on several field trips each year.
Other Aspects of School Life
Q. Is there an extended day program?
Manzano Day School’s extended day program is 7:15-8:15 a.m. In the afternoon, the program runs from 3:45-6:00 p.m. Several times a year there are also before or after school workshops the children can attend for a fee. If your child attends one of these workshops the extended day cost is reduced.
Q. Is there a summer program?
Manzano Day School has a summer program for six weeks. The program starts the first week of June and runs through the second week of July. Please contact Tesa Maestas for information about the summer program (tmaestas@manzanodayschool.org)
Q. Is there bus service?
Manzano Day School offers point-to-point bus service from the northeast heights and westside of Albuquerque.
Q. Do the students wear uniforms?
No.
Q. How are parents involved?
Manzano Day School parents are essential to the successful achievement of our mission. We have a long standing practice of partnering with our families in the educational process at Manzano Day School. Maintaining this practice is meaningful and important to maximize a child’s opportunity for success at Manzano Day School. Parents have unique gifts and talents to contribute when they take an active role in their children’s education. The school thrives, in large part because of the involved, giving, and talented parent body. Parent involvement is key to success and there are a myriad of ways to participate.
Diversity at Manzano Day School
Q. What is the percentage of student socio/ economic diversity?
Over 40% of Manzano Day School’s student body are students of color. Nearly 25% of the student body receives financial assistance.
Financial Aid and Scholarship Programs
Q. Is financial aid available?
Manzano Day School subscribes to School and Student Services (SSS) as our provider for financial aid. Financial aid is need-based and a family can receive up to 50% of total tuition in financial aid for each child attending.
Q. Does Manzano Day School have other financial aid programs?
The WINGS program was established in 1988. WINGS’ creation was based on our knowledge that sound early education is critical for future academic success. We also believe the investment in a single child is an investment in the community as a whole.
This unique program provides full-tuition for academically promising children with very limited economic resources. Children who show the potential for educational achievement are identified through the Admission Office after going through the same admission process as all other applicants. There also must be evidence of family support to help ensure the child’s success at Manzano Day School. WINGS is a small program guided by the principles of commitment and excellence. To maximize the realization of each child’s potential, the WINGS program provides for each child from kindergarten through fifth grade. No child is accepted into the program until funds have been committed for the entire six years of tuition at Manzano.
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