Contact: Bob Ippel, Executive Director, NMANS

The New Mexico Association of Non-public Schools

Email:nmansinfo@gmail.com

Website: http://www.nmans.org

505-870-9621

St. Joseph Mission School

Nestled in the heart of Northwestern New Mexico, St. Joseph Mission School shines brightly in

the village of San Fidel. Established by the Franciscans in 1923, this school was created to

nurture the Pueblo communities of Acoma and Laguna, along with the nearby Spanish villages

of San Fidel, Cubero, and Seboyeta.

St. Joseph School embodies a proud legacy that began in 1644, when the San Estevan Mission

at Acoma Pueblo opened its doors with a humble classroom. The educational journey continued

in 1699 at the San Jose Mission in Laguna Pueblo, where the foundations of reading, writing,

and math were established. These historic missions not only introduced new languages and

cultural insights but also honored traditional ways of life. Today, St. Joseph School remains

deeply committed to this vital mission, seamlessly blending the richness of the past with the

promise of a bright future.

Since its establishment, numerous alumni from St. Joseph’s School have successfully pursued

careers in various fields, including medicine, nursing, business ownership, education, public

service, and leadership within both state and tribal contexts in New Mexico. Notably, the current

Governor of Acoma, Charles Riley, is a distinguished alumnus of St. Joseph’s School. Theinstitution thoughtfully integrates Traditional Native and Catholic cultural elements, reflecting the

rich heritage of our local communities.

St. Joseph School is an exceptional Pre-K through 6th grade Micro-School, leveraging a proven

educational model that has thrived for decades. Microschooling, far from being a novel concept,

has been successfully implemented in various environments where traditional teaching faced

challenges, particularly due to overcrowding. Our class sizes are significantly smaller than those

in traditional schools, allowing for more personalized attention and a focus on mixed-age level

groupings.

As a microschool, we are committed to our unique educational mission while embodying key

characteristics that set us apart. Our approach emphasizes personable, project-based learning,

fostering stronger relationships between adults and children. Our educators actively facilitate

student-led learning experiences rather than merely delivering content.

Students at St. Joseph School are not just learners; they are active participants in their

communities. They engage in service-learning projects and community service, and they

proudly attend our feast day masses and celebrations. This commitment to community

involvement strengthens the bonds among our educators, families, and the wider community,

empowering students to take ownership of their learning journey.

St. Joseph School collaborates with esteemed organizations such as the University of Notre

Dame, Catholic Alliance for Education, American Indian Catholic School Network, Western

Catholic Education Association, and the National Catholic Education Association to enhance

Professional Development for our dedicated educators. Through these powerful partnerships,

we are committed to providing our students with exceptional educational experiences that

prepare them for success in higher education and beyond.

For more information, visit https://www.stjosephmissionschool.com/