Bosque School


Bosque School is an independent, co-educational, college preparatory school for grades 6–12 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Founded in 1994, the school is located on a campus adjacent to the Rio Grande bosque.
The school curriculum emphasizes environmental science, the arts, and service learning. It is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools.

History

Bosque School was incorporated in 1994 by a group of parents and educators. Dr. Gary Gruber served as the founding head of school. It officially opened in August 1995 in temporary facilities in Albuquerque's Northeast Heights with an initial enrollment of 72 students in grades six and seven.
In 1996, the school established the Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program in collaboration with the University of New Mexico Department of Biology to engage students in long-term field research.
Construction of the permanent campus began in 1999 on the west bank of the Rio Grande. The campus opened in 2000 with three main buildings. The school graduated its first senior class of eleven students in the spring of 2001. Later that year, the school dedicated the Peggie Ann Findlay Performing Arts Center and the Gerald and Betty Ford Library, named for the 38th U.S. President Gerald Ford and First Lady Betty Ford, who were grandparents of students at the school and assisted in early fundraising efforts.
Significant expansions include the construction of Budagher Hall in 2006, which added dining facilities and art classrooms, and a dedicated science building in 2004.

Academics

The curriculum follows a college-preparatory model. Middle school students take required courses in core subjects along with fine arts, performing arts, and physical education. Upper school students must complete four years of English and History, three to four years of Math and Science, and a two-year World Language requirement. Seniors complete a year-long thesis project.
In 2013, students from the school participated in a NASA Flight Opportunities Program, sending a commercial text message from a payload aboard a UP Aerospace SpaceLoft 8 rocket launched from Spaceport America.

Student body

As of the 2025–2026 school year, Bosque School had an enrollment of approximately 486 students. The school reports that approximately 50% of students receive need-based financial aid.

Demographics

For the 2021–2022 school year, the racial and ethnic composition of the student body was as follows:
  • White: 51.8%
  • Hispanic or Latino: 36.2%
  • Multiracial: 5.1%
  • Asian: 2.8%
  • Native American: 2.8%
  • Black: 1.4%

    Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program (BEMP)

The Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program is a citizen science partnership between the school and the University of New Mexico. Established in 1996, BEMP monitors the riparian zone of the Middle Rio Grande. Students collect data on groundwater depth, leaf litter, and wildlife at 33 varied monitoring sites along the river. This data is used by state and federal agencies, including the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to inform land management decisions regarding the bosque ecosystem.

Campus

The 42-acre campus is located in the Taylor Ranch neighborhood of northwest Albuquerque. Key facilities include:
  • The Schoolhouse: A 15,500-square-foot facility designed by the architecture firm RMKM.
  • Gerald and Betty Ford Library: Holds the school's research collections.
  • Budagher Hall: Houses the cafeteria, student lounge, and art studios.
  • Peggie Ann Findlay Performing Arts Center: A venue for theater and musical performances.
During 2007 campus expansion, archaeological surveys identified an ancient Pueblo site on the southern end of the property. The school adjusted construction plans for athletic fields to preserve the site for educational use.

Controversy

In October 2024, the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico published a statement by Dr. Kee Straits, the school's former Director of Equity, Community, and Culture. Straits alleged that she witnessed "explicit and systemic racism" at the school and that the administration retaliated against her attempts to address a "toxic environment," eventually leading to her departure.
According to the ACLU, the New Mexico Human Rights Bureau issued a finding of "probable cause" regarding these claims. The allegations included high turnover rates among faculty and students of color and specific incidents of staff using derogatory language toward colleagues.

Notable alumni