Thanks to the efforts of a new Teen Action Program (TAP) group, members of the Prep community can now recycle their old computer systems using an EPA-certified recycler who guarantees the equipment won’t end up in the landfill or in a foreign country.  There are modest fees ($15 - $25) associated with recycling the equipment properly, and Prep will be passing along these fees “at cost.”

To recycle, drop off used equipment in front of the Prep library during TAP time (Thursdays from 1:30 to 3) from now through the end of the school year.  Students will be on hand to collect the equipment and payments by check or cash.  In the event of a snow day or snow delay, there will be no recycling.  For details, open the pdf or contact project coordinator, .

On Friday, November 13th, Prep will open its doors to prospective students and their families for our annual Admissions Open House.  Beginning at 2 pm, visitors will have the opportunity to meet teachers and current students sit in on classes, experiment in the science lab, participate in a performing arts session and check out the Apple computer lab. 

Throughout the afternoon, staff members, teachers, coaches and parents will be on hand in the Commons to explain tuition assistance, talk about clubs and activities, answer questions about Prep’s no-cut sports programs, and provide highlights from our award-winning service learning program.

This is the only open house scheduled for the 2010-2011 admissions season and is open to students entering grades 7 through 12.  Contact , Director of Admissions, with questions. 

It was “all feet on deck” Thursday for 8th-grade global studies classes as students learned about the geography of Asia by walking a giant map of the world’s largest and most populous continent.

The 26x41-foot map was in Prep’s gym for the day, courtesy of National Geographic.  Students divided into teams to compete in “find the country” contests and other activities designed by National Geographic to aide student learning about the countries that make up Asia.

Five Prep seniors (10% of the class) have been named National Merit Semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) and are now eligible to continue in the competition for some 8,200 scholarships, worth more than $36 million.  This is the second-highest percentage of semifinalists in a senior class for any high school in New Mexico.

Mariam Hale, Jake Harbour, Caitlin Kossman, Grace Penzell and Grey Wilburn were were named semifinalists based on their PSAT scores.  They were among the highest scoring students in New Mexico who took the exam the NMSC uses to screen scholarship program entrants. The nationwide pool of semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors.

To become finalists, and possible scholarship winners, the five Prep seniors must maintain an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by the head of school, and earn SAT scores that confirm the students’ earlier performances on the qualifying PSAT test.

NMSC, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 500 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.

Members of Prep’s volleyball program are participating in a “Dig Pink” fundraiser on Thursday, October 15th, to benefit breast cancer research and to pack the gym for their games against Pecos.

According to volleyball head coach Diana Ronquillo, a 50/50 raffle and a bake sale are among the activities planned, and the girls will be wearing pink t-shirts during the games to show their support for breast cancer research.  The evening is also a “pack the gym” night, so admission is free for everyone,but are encouraged and will be added to the evening’s proceeds that will be donated to the New Mexico branch of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Prep students will have an opportunity to meet with David Wroblewski, award-winning author of “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle,” when he visits campus on October 9th as part of a multi-state book tour.  Prep is the only high school on his schedule.

The book is Wroblewski’s debut novel.  It spent months on the New York TImes best-seller list and was also an Oprah Book Club selection.  Parents who have read the book are invited to join the discussion at 2:30 pm in the auditorium.

On Friday, September 25th, members of the extended Prep community will gather for the annual Santa Fe Prep Fall Golf Classic and put their golf skills to work for the benefit of tuition assistance.

This year, golfers will tee off at Paa-Ko Ridge, voted the best new golf course in America when it opened in 2000, and still considered one of the finest courses in the world.  The deadline for registration is Friday, September 18, 2009.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from the tournament will be donated to tuition assistance, which this year will be provided to nearly 25% of the families enrolled at Prep.  Tee time is 1 pm, and golfers will follow a four-person “drop out” scramble format with handicaps, allowing golfers of all levels to participate and contribute.  Individual and team entries are welcome; the tournament concludes with awards and hors d’oeuvres at 5:30 pm.
Tournament organizers are also seeking hole and team sponsors. 

For questions or to register, contact or return the registration form (pdf).

The ringing of the Elrington bell on Monday signaled the start of Prep’s 46th school year.  Faculty and students gathered on the Upper School quad for the traditional opening-day assembly; students then dispersed across campus to find lockers, meet with advisors and attend abbreviated classes.  The day ended with a tug-of-war and popsicles in the gym.

Among the students gathering were 60 incoming 7th graders--one of the largest entering classes ever in the history of Prep.  New faces were evident in other grades, as well.  Head of School, Jim Leonard, spoke to students about taking responsibility vs. being held responsible and encouraged them to help shape the experience of school and to be purposeful in the world.  To view a full copy of Mr. Leonard’s opening remarks, click on the pdf.

Prep is hosting two exchange students for the 2009-10 school year: Marta Bayarte, an incoming sophomore from Spain, and Clara Axner, an incoming
junior from Sweden. Clara has been placed with a host family for the first semester, but we are still seeking a first semester situation for Marta.  She will arrive in Santa Fe on August 19th. If you would like to be a host family, please contact for more information.

Prep’s College Counseling department is planning Prep’s first-ever “College Admissions Boot Camp” to help juniors and seniors “get in shape” for the college application process.

Students will work with Jennifer, Story and Jamie to identify their individual learning types, match those learning types to specific colleges, master the Naviance software program, generate resumes, prepare for college admissions interviews and start filling out the common application.  Dates are Monday, August 17th through Friday, August 21st from 2 - 4 pm in the library.  Contact with questions or to reserve a space.