Students in Global Studies explore the world, culture and international citizenship.

Level I -“Global Adventures and Exploration”

5th and 6th grade middle school students explore the five themes of geography, world cultures, map skills and current events while virtually travelling around the globe.

Level II – “Global Issues: Inventing a Better World”

Upper level middle school students will explore some of the most critical issues in our world today.  The final component of the course will be to invent a product or process that solves a specific social problem discussed in class.

Level III – “UN Mock Conference”

High school upperclassmen participate in cultural studies that focus on varying perspectives, international current events and the history behind them. This class culminates in a four day United Nations Mock Conference. Students represent a country delegate and their perspective with research and debate skills.

In the Smart Lab, students use Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math to design and build everything from digital art to original robots. 

Grades 5/6 -“Exploring Smart Lab”

Fifth and sixth graders explore computing skills, technology use, typing, and personal safety on the internet. They will create a showcase of all their work to present to their peers.

Grades 7/8 -“Collaborative Projects”

Seventh and eighth grade students choose and create two projects of their own design. They learn effective use of social networking, collaborative wiki and web design, and honing technical skills.

Grades 9/10 – “Gearing up for Competition”

High school freshmen and sophomores create high quality projects with an emphasis on showcasing their work. In addition, students pursue proficiency at keyboarding and computer skills. During the semester, students will submit at least one piece of work to STEM related competition.

Grades 11/12 – “STEM Career Exploration”

Juniors and seniors reflect on and explore career opportunities. Students select a STEM profession, work with mentors in the field, and create a career portfolio of professional calibre.

In addition to focus on Core curriculum and 21st Century Learning skills, we enhance student opportunities to engage learning experiences around Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and the Arts. By offering a variety of elective courses on non-campus school days, we expand the creative and innovative horizons of our students via our STEM+Arts Institute.

Taos Academy, a 21st-Century Learning Community, is a state-chartered school, and therefore, it comprises its own district. We strive to be a successful 21st-century learning community; developing strong leaders who have the academic and social skills necessary to succeed in the modern world. Taos Academy’s STEM+Arts Institute, offers a variety of semester-long courses to middle and high school students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) disciplines by engaging students in project-based activities guided by community professionals. All course offerings are aligned with National STEM Arts Standards. High school students have the opportunity to gain marketable skills and university dual credit. The goal of the STEM+Arts Institute is to engage all students in rigorous course work designed to increase graduation rates and enrollment in post-secondary universities and programs, while preparing for STEM related careers.  

Each course develops 21st century learning skills and highlights individual career pathways while offering student exploration, and collaboration with professionals in the field. By providing real-world applications to the learning process, STEM+Arts courses expand student understanding of the possibilities for a career in these fields. Partners include Los Alamos National Laboratory, Intel, University of New Mexico, Taos Community Foundation, Century Link, STEMArts project, State Farm Good Neighbor Foundation, Verizon, local and national artists and businesses.

The Early College High School program (ECHS) offerings are a great way for High School students to gain college experience and credit in a supported setting.

Dual Credit classes provide students with the opportunity to earn high school credits while also earning college credits at the University of New Mexico – Taos branch while still in high school. 

 The Taos Academy College Link (CL) program serves as a support for participating dual credit students.  It is open to eligible juniors and seniors with 3.0 GPA or higher.  College Link students develop an individualized class schedule with their CL Advisor and may attend UNM-Taos campus classes during the week (Monday-Saturday). The flexible nature of our CL program was created to allow students more class choices throughout the week. Therefore, students are held accountable for demonstrated self-direction and motivation while successfully observing both UNM and Taos Academy academic requirements and school policies.

For more information:

Make sure to check in your Google Classrooms for updates, announcements and more resources!

If you have any questions, contact:

Kelci Pike, Dual-Credit Coordinator        kpike@taosacademy.org

Our Student Success Lab (SSL) is a quiet environment designed to extend the classroom and ensure success for Taos Academy students, giving them more time with our Edgenuity online curriculum, as well as both structured and unstructured academic support from tutors and peers.

The SSL Supervisor works directly with students to develop their weekly learning goals, sharpen their time management skills support their individual learning journey.

• SSL is voluntary for those who are making progress in their coursework and maintain high marks.
• SSL becomes mandatory for those on a Student Success Contract. Students who are not making progress are required to attend the Student Support Lab on the days that they are not scheduled to attend school.
• For Middle School, hours for the Student Support Lab are from 8-12, Tuesday and Thursday.
• For High School, hours are from 8-12, Monday and Wednesday.
• Math Lab, hours from 8-12 Friday also available to all students.

To further support our students in their academics, Taos Academy has implemented a Student Success Programming Plan.

The process begins when a student falls behind their pacing calendar in any subject. The Academic Advisor will use verbal encouragement to catch up and strongly suggest attending the HS Student Success Lab or the Mid School Plus Program on non-scheduled school
days from 8 am – 12 noon or on Fridays from 8 am – 12 noon.

When the student falls below 70% actual grade in any class, the student and parent are given a written Warning for lack of progress. If the student does not meet their target calendar schedules in every class within 1 week or continues to fall behind, an Academic Absence is recorded.

If the student continues to stay behind in work such that they accrue 2 Unexcused Academic Absences in a row, the student, family, and adviser will meet to develop a Student Success Contract to help the student get back on track and provide more structured time in their digital curriculum.

Students on contract are required to attend the Taos Academy Student Success Lab on non-school days Monday through Thursday 8:00 -12:00 for a period of 30 days. Academic absences do not accrue during this catch-up period. Appropriate placement may be discussed with parents, student, advisor and Director if the student continues to struggle.

The Student Success Lab and Mid Plus Program are designed to be quiet, focused and productive learning environments. Disruption will not be tolerated. Parents will be called to pick students up if
they are disrupting the learning environment. Continued disruption of the lab will result in loss of the privilege to attend these support settings and enrichment activities.