Philosophy and Mission

Sunset Mesa Schools, Inc., is a privately-owned, non-sectarian, independent school. Each of these adjectives reflects a significant truth about this school. First, SMS has been a tax-paying, privately-owned school since 1948 and has operated under its current ownership for over 30 years. What we do at SMS is not just a job; our work impacts family stewardship, personal reputation and a lengthy heritage.

Second, the school is non-sectarian. Religious instruction has never been part of the curriculum. No faith requirement has ever been applied to students or faculty. However, SMS has over the years been owned and directed by Christian people. That necessarily informs our actions and values. People are uniquely created by God, are highly valued by Him and are responsible to him. All people in the SMS community should therefore treat one another as valuable, respected individuals with great potential to develop and use their unique characteristics and traits. Those values which we customarily call Judeo-Christian should be modeled by adults and taught to the students. These values include honesty, integrity, loyalty, patriotism, diligence, respect, personal responsibility, perseverance, courage, and friendship. Students should be challenged with high expectations and held to high standards for learning, behavior and values. The same is true for the adults at SMS.

Third, SMS is an “independent school.” This term historically has meant that ownership, governance and finances are independent of governmental or diocesan control. Of course, independence has its consequences. SMS must persuade families year by year that this education is worth the tuition; no other source of revenue exists for a tax-paying independent school. An independent school has substantial choice in defining its own approach to education. We highly value that choice at SMS, independent also means “hands on.” You will find the decision-makers right here.

In the context of these characteristics, SMS purposefully provides a strong academic climate which fosters the intellectual and emotional growth of each student. Students can learn responsibility; they can earn self-esteem. Students are challenged to become productive, responsible and caring people by learning sound values, compassion and ethical behavior. They are encouraged to learn, develop good study habits, think and act independently, solve problems, and think critically.

These characteristics do not mean, however, that SMS is isolated in its own insular world. It is accredited by the National Independent Private School Association (an organization of tax-paying schools), the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation (which accredits over 9,000 public and private schools), and the State of New Mexico Public Education Department. Accreditation provides you an assurance of quality. It provides SMS with peer review and support, professional development, and a wide spectrum of information.

Thank you for placing your child with SMS for this exciting experience in learning. You, the parent, are a vital part of the process. Thank you for cooperating with the administration and faculty in all of the vital areas of mutual concern for the education of your child.

Whenever you have questions, need information, or want to visit about school or your child, please call or stop by our offices. We want to help.

Values

"Manners easily and rapidly mature into morals." -- Horace Mann

For over fifty years, Sunset Mesa Schools has instilled a strong set of values in its students. Courtesy and respect for peers and adults are expected as each child learns the value of camaraderie and teamwork.

Sunset Mesa Schools holds to the principles and methods of Positive Discipline (Nelsen, 1996) as a philosophy of discipline for our students. All staff members who work directly with children are required to complete the assigned reading and attend the workshop and any follow up workshops.

We feel that the principles and methods of Positive Discipline provide the structure for excellent discipline in and out of the classroom. Positive Discipline, through kindness and firmness, encourages self-respect, self-discipline, cooperation, good behavior, and problem-solving skills that we consider an invaluable component of the education we provide our students.

When children leave Sunset Mesa, they take with them a sense of responsibility and self-esteem that will help them defend their values and morals when faced with tough situations later in life.

Mistakes: Opportunities to Learn

"It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed. In this life we get nothing save by effort." -- Theodore Roosevelt

At Sunset Mesa, we believe in the positive value of our students' mistakes. Learning from mistakes, rather than feeling ashamed, is an important part of an education here. The key is that students keep trying--the attitude and work ethic that this inspires is a necessary ingredient in the recipe for success beyond Sunset Mesa and throughout life.