Student Experience Overview

Not just a campus, but a community.

Sure, we have a beautiful campus, but what sets us apart is our true sense of community. At this home away from home, your child will thrive in a culture that promotes kindness, collaboration, and character.

Students jumping in air

Atmosphere

Imagine: Your child gets excited about applied probability because their math teacher is so engaging and humorous.

Imagine: Through the Outdoor Leadership Program, your child discovers lifelong hobbies such as cross-country skiing, yurt camping, backpacking, kayaking, or caving.

Imagine: Your student journeys to the Model United National Conference at the University of California at Berkeley to discuss such issues as security, access to healthcare, and artificial intelligence.

Those aren’t hypotheticals. They’re actual experiences of Prep students.

“The thing I love most about Sandia Prep is that everyone at the school is willing to go out of their way to help you.”
- Isaac, Class of 2028


A Strong Foundation

Excellent academics in a vibrant, supportive, and unpretentious community: That’s what many parents tell us attracted them to Prep. We challenge students but want them to feel confident enough to understand that failure is a part of learning.

Open the doors to our classrooms, and you will find lively discussion and debate about books and ideas, students working together to solve problems and interpret lab data, presentations on research projects, building with 3D printers or dismantling machines in the DesignLab painting, sculpting, singing, and acting. We know our students learn best when they are engaged, so our teaching is geared toward active learning, critical thinking, and collaboration. 

Our courses are challenging and our expectations high, and we are passionate about seeing all of our students succeed.

Students working in class

Small by Design

We want to know, support, and celebrate your child. Our cohesive community means no one goes overlooked or unnoticed. “Small by design” means students can more easily master curriculum in a smaller learning environment where high aspirations and respectful relationships are encouraged. We want your child to enjoy a well-rounded, customized experience.

Robust Advisory Program

One facet of our strong foundation is our Advisory Program. Each Sandia Prep faculty member serves as an advisor to a group of ten students (of the same grade) each year. As an "advocate," the advisor is available to talk with each of these students about any and all concerns, academic or otherwise. In addition, the advisor serves as the primary liaison between the school and parents, meeting with parents each semester to track the student's progress and development.

Students in class

Three students on Quad

Culture of Kindness

Sandia Prep students, faculty, and staff work together to create a culture of kindness. This daily mindset further promotes positive social and emotional health on campus.

Active Parent Participation

At Prep, parental involvement is both welcome and encouraged. Parents are integral members of the Sandia Prep community, and we welcome their involvement at every level.
 
In addition to active involvement in their child’s educational experience, many parents choose to become involved in the SPS community in other ways, such as joining Outdoor Leadership Program trips or volunteering in the Sundevil Supply Store. Our Sandia Prep School Parents Association and Sundevil Athletics Organization are the driving forces behind the daily family involvement at Prep.

 

Outdoor Leadership Program group