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The Santa Fe Girls' School
ACADEMICS
Core Academics
6th Grade
Mathematics
The focus in the 6th grade is on number relationships and their
connections to real-life situations. Students work with estimation,
statistics, probability, geometry and measurement as they develop logic
in solving problems.
History and Geography
Students study world history and geography by studying the expansion
of the major religions from pre-Christian times. Current events are
used to generate connections to historical and geographical studies.
The sixth graders develop their critical reading skills and learn to
express themselves verbally in a seminar-style setting.
Science
Students study the physical complements of the earth and identify
the changes that affect it: cycles of nature, the solar system, economics
and environmental concerns and geologic movements and forces. This curriculum
is based is sustainable living and students become experts in one topic
area.
Language Arts & Literature
Students will focus their attention on basic
language mechanics, vocabulary building, grammar and basic research skills.
They will work to fine tune their skills in recognizing and writing
expository, persuasive, descriptive and narrative writing styles. Analytic
reading and writing will be a major focus during the sixth grade year.
Students read literature in various genres and discuss plot, character,
setting and theme. We emphasize personal analysis of the reading material
with accurate documentation with quotes from the source.
Spanish
The goal during the 6th grade is for students to acquire basic
conversational Spanish as they learn similarities and differences between
English and Spanish.
7th Grade
Mathematics
Students are in a pre-algebra program that focuses on analytical
and logical thinking. Students use these skills to solve everyday problems.
History and Geography
Students learn to understand the history of New Mexico through
the exploration of cultural and economic conflicts in medieval Spain.
Science
The biology studied in this grade offers students the opportunity to
learn scientific classification as a means of understanding the diversity
of living things. Knowledge gained in the science class is used in the
Community Problem Solving Program (CmPS). The 7th grade girls work to
rehabilitate and maintain a section of the Santa Fe River. As part of
becoming sustainable living experts, this class uses bio mass to produce
plants which illustrates how waste can be turned into a no-waste, marketable
product.
Language Arts & Literature
Students practice clear communication through
writing, speaking and listening in a variety of situations. There is an
emphasis on research, note taking, vocabulary building, debating, writing
mechanics and editing.
Students read literature in various genres and discuss plot, character,
setting and theme. We emphasize personal analysis of the reading material
with accurate documentation with quotes from the source.
Spanish
Immersion in beginning conversational Spanish is taught through
Spanish folklore and the study of word roots that are common to both
English and Spanish.
8th Grade
Mathematics
Algebra I is the basis for the exploration of linear, inverse
and exponential real-world situations. Students gather and organize
data and determine an algebraic pattern. Once students identify a pattern
they build mathematical tables, graphs and equations to interpret the
data and make predictions. In the 8th grade, girls attend algebra class
twice a day.
History and Geography
The history of the U.S. is studied through the cultural conflicts
of 17th century England, the pre-revolution migration of Northern Europeans
and the consequences of Manifest Destiny. And in-depth analysis of the
US Constitution and governmental structure and civics is included.
Science
Physical science or the study of matter and energy is the focus
of the 8th grade class. Students investigate the properties and structure
of matter and learn to classify the elements. As part of the sustainable
living curriculum, this group will study alternative energy forms and
select one to run the school’s pump and drip system.
Language Arts & Literature
All curricular areas are addressed with an
emphasis given to research, note taking, vocabulary building, debating,
writing mechanics and editing. Special attention is placed on recognizing
bias and on answering questions in depth with specific, factual information
to back up personal opinions.
Students read literature in various genres and discuss plot, character,
setting and theme. We emphasize personal analysis of the reading material
with accurate documentation with quotes from the source.
Spanish
By continuing with conversational Spanish, students develop fluency
in reading and writing.
Enrichment Curriculum
Art
The 6th grade class focuses on three-dimensional art: Spanish folk art, sculpture,
pottery, tile making, collage, mask making and textile/fabric art. These classes
are taught by a variety of instructors throughout the year. Beginning in 7th grade,
Cecilia Binkley guides students in developing drawing skills and techniques through
the exploration of portraiture, figure drawing, still life, light and shadow,
perspective and landscape. In the 8th grade, Ms. Binkley helps student move into
color in a structured program designed to build skills and foster confidence.
Students begin with watercolor, move to pastels and finish with acrylic painting.
Each school year culminates with a public showing of each student's best work in a
local gallery in Santa Fe.
Poetry
Joan Logghe teaches poetry to all grades at SFGS. The students experience reading
and writing poetry through a ten-week workshop focusing on forms such as pantoum,
haiku, ballad, prose, persona and free verse. The poetry course culminates with
the publication of a book containing each student's best poems and illustrations.
Fitness
Each week, the students benefit from the instruction of personal fitness trainer,
Michele Holloway. The students learn through athletics and physical activity that
their bodies are functional and not just decorative. The girls build their
self-esteem through positive physical development. With a full-size, outdoor
volleyball court, the girls can experience team sports as well.
Elective Classes
These classes vary from year to year based upon the interest of students. Each
student chooses one class per semester from three or four choices such as East
Asian dancing, cooking, drama, music, volleyball, fabric arts, fashion design
and yoga. These mixed grade level classes instruct 10-15 students each.
Drama
Wendy Chapin states, "Theater is, at its core, the art of being human." She
introduces the students to drama through developing skills in cooperation,
collaboration and role playing. She works to integrate with, as well as
support, the academic areas of study with the eighth grade students.
Environmental Studies
Students are involved in a river restoration project along the Santa Fe River
in La Cieneguilla. Project PRESERVE is an on-going school project year
after year. Students at every grade level get first-hand experience in
monitoring wells, tagging vegetation, tabulating stream flow, recording insect
and animal sounds, safely eliminating non-native vegetation and cleaning up
the environment. The students are working on an eight-acre parcel owned by the
Center for Service Learning Opportunities in Education, a NM non-profit
organization. When completed, the collaborative restoration project will revive
habitat along a 70-acre stretch of the Santa Fe River.
Academic Results
Girls enter the school with varying academic skills. Each girl is encouraged
to reach a standard of academic excellence. The 8th grade consistently
scores in the top 10% of national tests. This is an impressive figure,
particularly in a state that ranks near the bottom of the nation in educational
achievement.
Students from the school’s first graduating class are now in college.
They are academic success stories. Some of the colleges they are attending
are Smith College, Cornell University, American University and University
of New Mexico.
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