The open house is back! After having a virtual Open House in 2020 due to Covid, the Academy hosted the event on October 24th. Along the path, clubs and activities were displayed, including Admissions tables, the Pep band, Mountain Biking club, and hands-on activities for the visitors. As the head of our Admissions and Enrollment department, Amy Keller explained, “My favorite part of the open house is the chance to welcome people from all parts of Albuquerque to our beautiful campus and to let them get to meet the really special kids and adults who make up our community.”

Varrsha Chenthuran, a fifth grader at Manzano Day School said, “I think there’s a lot more opportunities and clubs here. I’ve heard that it’s a very, very good school and that they teach a lot of good things here.” She explained how she would want to participate in science-related clubs such as the Engineering Club where kids were able to make structures from toothpicks and marshmallows.
Another incoming student, Claire Geballe, said that she is interested in the art around campus. “I really like drawing, so I’d like to continue art at the Academy. I’ve heard a lot of stories about funny things and good things at Academy.”
Jose Mondragon, a parent of a current and incoming student said that “Academy is very diverse, and there are lots of different learning styles, lots of experiences, and definitely new experiences that my daughter hasn’t seen before.” He is worried about the large workload and the need to stay on tasks.

Another prospective parent, Roddy Hughes, said, “I think for us parents we’re looking for the whole package: the academics, the extracurriculars, and the sports,” he said. “And so far, the kids have been really interested in the extracurricular activities and the clubs.”
The Open House has been part of Academy tradition for more than 30 years. “It’s a nice way to bring our community together and we love doing it,” Ms. Keller said. “It’s a tradition in independent schools to host an open house to give families in the community the chance to see what is behind the fences of our school and to open up and let people consider this for their kids.”