Dear Bosque School Community,
We have had an absolutely joyful start to Bosque School’s 31st year. Seeing our students return to campus has brought so much positivity—there is nothing better than the energy of being back together. From welcoming new students with candy and conversation, to watching friendships quickly and meaningfully form and re-form, to witnessing the brilliance of our staffulty as they launch into a new year, our community feels vibrant and strong.
This joy has been matched by the energy of our new leadership colleagues, who have already brought fresh perspectives and deep commitment to student wellness and learning. It has been especially inspiring to welcome Mr. Snyder to the middle school and Mr. Miller to the upper school, whose thoughtful leadership—including the adoption of a cell-phone collection policy in the upper school—builds on the leadership of our middle school colleagues and further centers student wellbeing. I am proud of our upper school students for engaging in meaningful dialogue about this change and embracing it with openness.
Opening Day
“Keep on Loving Each Other.”
Wednesday, August 13, was the first day of Bosque School’s 31st year, and the whole community gathered in Sanchez Park, light filtering through the newly trimmed cottonwood trees, as Dr. Barrie took the podium. The classes of 2026 and 2032, seniors and sixth graders, got special acknowledgement, as did new division leaders Jeff Snyder and Chip Miller.
Dr. Barrie’s remarks honored Bosque School’s founding head, Dr. Gary Gruber, who passed away this summer. She held a stuffed giraffe in her arms, as a reminder of when school founder Peggie Ann Findlay carried one to the airport in 1994 to meet Dr. Gruber, an embodiment of the invitation to “stick his neck out” as he took on the huge challenge of starting a new school. Dr. Gruber’s belief in the power of education and his ability to connect with others and see the potential in everyone to do better were inspiring then, and is still the foundation of our school’s mission and values.
Our Biggest Community Celebration Is Almost Here!
Mark your calendars for Friday, September 19, 6–9 pm, and join us for Fall Fiesta—Bosque School’s largest community event of the year!
This all-ages carnival draws more than 1,000 attendees for a magical evening under twinkling lights in Sanchez Park. Enjoy games and prizes, oversized inflatables, tethered hot air balloon rides, a mobile video game truck, a brand-new 9-hole mini golf course, delicious local food trucks, and a beer garden hosted by Kaktus Brewery (21+).
Open to all! Invite your extended family, friends, and neighbors to share in the fun.
Sponsorships Available
All proceeds from Fall Fiesta benefit need-based financial aid, which supports more than 50% of our student body. Sponsorships are tax-deductible and a powerful way to:
- Promote your business to over 4,000 social media followers and 5,000+ monthly website visitors.
- Recognize your student.
- Honor a favorite staffulty member.
Volunteers Needed
It takes more than 50 volunteers to bring Fall Fiesta to life. With your help, our staffulty can fully enjoy the evening with their families. You can select your volunteer shift here.
- Mark your calendar.
- Become a sponsor.
- Volunteer to help.
We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
Collective Impact. Limitless Possibility.
That’s the power of the Bosque Fund.
Tuition covers the essentials—classrooms, salaries, and operational costs.
The Bosque Fund fuels the extraordinary: passionate teachers, small class sizes, off-campus adventures, immersive courses, generous financial aid, and the unforgettable experiences that shape who our students become. It’s what makes Bosque School truly exceptional.
And here’s the powerful part: every gift matters. When you give—at any level—you send a strong message of commitment to our students and staffulty. High participation strengthens our community, inspires others to give, and affirms the value of a Bosque School education.
Your gift says: I’m all in. And that’s something every student feels.
Last year, we came together to raise a record-breaking $1.6 million in honor of Bosque School’s 30th anniversary and mission. Together, we proved that we can achieve the exceptional.
Join us in community.
Last spring, Performing Arts Department Leader and Director of String Ensemble Nicolle Maniaci was given a handmade violin from a former student, Helen Wagner ‘20. Helen spent three and a half years crafting the violin, all the while intending it as a gift for Ms. Maniaci, but keeping its existence a secret. Ms. Maniaci, totally surprised when Helen presented it to her on April 25, 2025, said it was the most incredible, meaningful, and thoughtful gift she had ever received in her life. To add to the emotional power of this beautiful gift, Helen included artwork from Eli Davidson, her late best friend and fellow Bosque School student, inside the violin.
Introducing Our New Alumni Newsletter!
We’re excited to launch a new addition to our alumni communication: the Bosque School Alumni Newsletter! This quarterly update will help our alumni stay connected with fellow Bobcats, celebrate alumni achievements, and keep you informed about upcoming events and opportunities.
Check out the first edition and be sure to share it with classmates and friends to help grow our alumni network. Once a Bobcat, always a Bobcat!
Meet Chip Miller
“Meaning” is a word that might seem vague, but Chip Miller, the new Upper School Division Head, uses it a lot, and in very specific ways. Even his relocation here from Connecticut was meaningful, as it allowed him to reconnect with an impactful period of his life when he was a student at the University of New Mexico and active in the Southwest’s outdoor community. He believes Bosque School embodies his ideal school: flexible, student-centered, and where students are really involved in constructing meaning. His job, as he sees it, is to provide the teachers with what they need, so they can, in turn, give the students what they need. His vision of leadership is that good decisions emerge from collaboration within a community. If there is to be meaningful change, he says, it must occur at the cultural level.
Meet Jeff Snyder
“Thrilled” is the word that comes up over and over again whenever Jeff Snyder, the new Middle School Division Head, talks about his role at Bosque School and his relocation to New Mexico from Texas. He is thrilled to be at a school that closely aligns with his inclusive values and his educational philosophy. From what he observed during his visits in the spring, he found Bosque School students to be happy and the learning they were doing to be meaningful. As he steps into his role this fall, his top priority is to listen to and understand what everyone in the community—students, staff, and parents—values most and wants for the future.
Bosque School Students Lead Wildlife Research Across New Mexico
The CEBRIN Field and Community Science program, led by teachers Kim Fike and Dan Shaw, had a busy summer, including three overnight research trips and collaborations with city and state agencies.
In June, when the river was still high, Ms. Fike and Mr. Shaw traveled with sophomores Esme and Lola up to the Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument, a two-night, three-day river trip, with the intention of continuing 2025 graduate Sophie Griego's research into the diet of the otters that have been reintroduced into the area in recent years. As part of her research in the field science program, Sophie had developed a novel hair snare. Esme and Lola timed their trip for when the water was high enough to remove Sophie’s snares, and were disappointed to find no hair samples had been captured. They successfully collected samples of clams and crayfish, which they believe are part of the otter's diet. Eventually, if otter hair is captured in future snare retrievals, the students will use stable isotope analysis to determine whether the clams and crayfish they sampled are part of the otter diet.
Last year, students collected fish and preserved samples for the same purpose. There is some controversy around the reintroduced otter because local anglers worry that the otters would deplete fish stocks. However, it appears, from the evidence in the latrines that the otters use, that their diet is primarily composed of crayfish.
STUDENT ACCOLADES SUMMER 2025
Bosque School students often take advantage of summer break to learn and grow in new ways, both at home and away; this summer was no exception. Here are a few of the fun and challenging experiences our students had this past summer.
Due to Bosque School's partnership with St. John's College, two Bosque School students are invited to a week-long residential program in Santa Fe every summer, with their costs covered by a scholarship valued at $1,400. This year, two seniors, C.J. and Micah, were selected to attend St. John’s Summer Academy, which is modeled after St. John’s discussion-based, interdisciplinary approach to teaching great books. Summer Academy helps students hone their reading, critical thinking, and discussion skills in classes led by St. John’s faculty. Two sophomores, Audrey L. and Zander, also participated in the same St. John’s programs this summer.
Alex '26 traveled to Colorado Springs in June to attend the Air Force Summer Seminar, a week-long program designed for high school rising seniors interested in attending the Air Force Academy. The camp is an excellent preparation for being a cadet, as students were exposed to Air Force aerospace engineering facilities, the airfield, and introduced to cool possibilities, such as their glider program.
Brooklyn B. ‘26 spent some of her summer at UNM, attending “Q Camp,” a selective camp sponsored and run by Sandia Labs that focuses on quantum computing, math, and physics. This month-long camp included lectures on quantum physics and chemistry, culminating in a project in which Brooklyn and a partner assembled an optical laser apparatus involving microscopic tweezers.
Two Bosque School juniors (who also happen to be good friends), Mackenzie and Jade, had a blast at Oxbridge New York. This month-long program based at Barnard College offers coursework in “majors” and “minors.” Mackenzie chose Advertising and Media for her major and Creative Writing for her minor. Jade chose Musical Theater and Fashion. All the courses involved extensive hands-on activities, including meetings with professionals, visits to various companies, workshops, and other venues, as well as the creation of projects and performances.
Carson M. ‘27 went to Boston to attend Harvard University’s Pre-College Experience, where he took Chemistry. It was more challenging than he expected: intensive and fast-paced, but very rewarding, as it paid off in his overall knowledge of science, which he now uses every day that he’s back at school. Topics included nuclear fission and fusion, as well as an introduction to organic and biological chemistry.
On the West Coast, in the big city of Los Angeles, sophomore Brooklyn M. had a great week making music at the Summer Music Camp Program at Colburn School. Together with her partners, she recorded a total of eight songs featuring original harmonies and lyrics, utilizing top-of-the-line studio equipment and resources. One song was mixed and mastered 25 times, with 30 vocal tracks.
CHECK IT OUT
By Rachel Patton, Bosque School Librarian
Over the summer, Bosque School launched an exciting project to refresh and reimagine the Ford Library. The goals are to cultivate an inviting, relevant, and dynamic space for the community while ensuring the collection continues to meet the academic and intellectual needs of all learners.
The library is being thoughtfully redesigned to support a wide range of learning styles. The north side will be dedicated to focused study, while the south side will continue to encourage social connection and collaboration. The nonfiction collection is also receiving some extra care. Currently boxed up, it will soon be reunited with the fiction collection on the south side, alongside many new resources. New furniture—chosen to support both quiet study and social connection and collaboration—will arrive on September 15, marking another step toward a more accessible and engaging environment.
Although the project is still in the “messy middle,” the vision is clear: a library that is easier to navigate, welcoming to all learners, and designed to foster a love of reading and discovery. I am thrilled to be part of this transformation and am grateful for the community’s support during the process. I look forward to working alongside students and staffulty in the year ahead and to sharing a refreshed Ford Library that will be a more vibrant, useful, and inspiring space for all.
Applications for 2026–2027 Open September 1
Do you know a future Bobcat? Applications for the 2026–2027 school year open on September 1. We’re excited to welcome the next generation of students into our community! Encourage friends, colleagues, and family to apply—and invite them to experience Bosque School at our Open House on Friday, October 18, 1–3 pm.
Starting September 16, prospective students can also join us for Buddy Days to shadow a current Bobcat.
Application details and deadlines, including the Early Decision deadline of November 21, are available on our website.
Our Re-organized Athletics Department: Aspirational and Enthusiastic!
Over the summer, the Athletics Department experienced some exciting changes in job responsibilities. Director Jeaney Garcia added Advancement to her role, giving Dana Alexander, or D.A., as everyone calls her, the title of Associate Director, and with it, much more of a role in the day-to-day operations of the department. Mia Conlon, who joined Bosque School in February of last year as Athletic Trainer, is starting her first full year with big ideas for enhancing the resources and tools available to our athletes.
For Jeaney, taking on the duties of Advancement means building a sustainable and impactful fundraising program that supports student-athletes through meaningful community-focused events, enhanced facilities, and essential equipment upgrades. On Saturday, September 20, the department will host a festive grand opening of the 12 new and refurbished pickleball and tennis courts in the tennis complex. The free event will include a beginners pickleball clinic, a welcome and dedication of the courts, and open play and community fun, including food trucks and music.
Athletic Hall of Fame
We are proud to announce the launch of the Bosque School Athletic Hall of Fame, founded in 2025 to honor and preserve our rich athletic history. This initiative celebrates the athletes, coaches, teams, and contributors who have made exceptional and lasting impacts on Bobcat athletics and embody our tradition of excellence, sportsmanship, and leadership, and serve as inspirational role models for current and future generations.
Annual Recognition
Each year, up to five individuals and one team will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Inductees will be announced in October of the previous year and formally recognized at a celebration. The inaugural event will be on Friday, February 13, 2026.
Nomination Process
We are now accepting nominations for the inaugural class. We invite you to submit names of those who have exemplified excellence in athletics and contributed meaningfully to our community. Nominations will be reviewed by a committee representing a broad cross-section of our school.
(Nomination deadline: October 15, 2025)
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for induction, nominees must meet the following:
General Requirements
- Must have been affiliated with Bosque School as a student-athlete, coach, administrator, or community member.
- Must have made a truly exceptional contribution to Bosque School athletics.
- Nominees must reflect the highest standards of sportsmanship, character, and leadership.
Student-Athlete Nominees
- Must have graduated from Bosque School.
- Must have earned a varsity letter in at least one sport.
- Must have graduated at least five years ago to be eligible.
- May include those who excelled in Olympic sports not offered at Bosque (e.g., gymnastics, fencing).
- Athletic achievements must be verifiable (e.g., All-District, All-State, championships, records, college scholarships, etc.), with supporting documentation when available.
- Post-graduation achievements (college or professional) will also be considered.
Coach/Administrator/Contributor Nominees
- Must have contributed for at least five years at Bosque School.
- May include coaches, athletic administrators, educators, trainers, officials, medical personnel, media, or long-standing volunteers.
- Must have demonstrated a lasting positive impact on Bosque athletics.
Attendance Requirement
Inductees (or a representative) must attend the Hall of Fame Ceremony. In cases of emergency or hardship, the committee will consider exceptions.
We look forward to celebrating those who have helped build Bosque School’s proud athletic legacy. Your nominations will help us preserve and elevate these stories of dedication, perseverance, and excellence.
New Courts, New Fun!
We’re excited to share that Bosque School’s tennis courts have been fully refurbished—and now they’re ready for both tennis and pickleball! To celebrate, join us for our Pickleball Court Grand Opening on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 9 am–12 pm, the day after Fall Fiesta.
Enjoy open play on the new courts, live music, food trucks, and plenty of community fun. A Beginners Pickleball Clinic will run from 9–10 am—perfect if you’re new to the sport. All skill levels are welcome!
Bosque School students and staffulty proudly joined the New Mexico Pride Parade this June, filling the streets with joy, school spirit, and PRIDE! Our presence was a reminder that Bosque is a place where every student and adult is valued for who they are. We’re honored to stand in solidarity with a community that champions authenticity, inclusion, and love—and to show our Bobcat pride in creating a world where everyone belongs.
Bosque Alum Donny Kelley-Currens Featured in Audubon Mural Project at ABQ BioPark
Bosque School is thrilled to celebrate the artistic achievement of alum and current Field & Community Science educator Donny Kelley-Currens, whose work was recently unveiled at the ABQ BioPark Zoo as part of the national Audubon Mural Project. This vibrant, community-driven public art initiative raises awareness about native birds threatened by climate change and habitat loss through visual storytelling.
Donny’s mural, created in collaboration with fellow local artist Jade Cruz, showcases more than 15 bird species that call New Mexico home. Painted near the Raptor Roost exhibit, the piece also weaves in five themes: Reciprocity, Reverence, Responsibility, Remembrance, and Restoration.
Donny shared at the unveiling that his hope is for the mural to “inspire people to act, to look deeper, and to care more” about the ecosystems and species around us. As both an artist and educator, his commitment to environmental advocacy and community engagement runs deep. We couldn’t be prouder to see his impact extend beyond our campus and into the broader Albuquerque community.
- 🎥 Watch Donny’s full remarks during the mural unveiling (starts at 9:25)
- 📰 See KRQE’s coverage of the project
- 🌐 Read more from the City of Albuquerque
- 📸 View photos on Instagram
Bosque Learning Center: Now on Instagram!
The Bosque Learning Center (BLC) is now on Instagram — follow us @bosquelearningcenter for tips, updates, and insights into how we’re supporting students across the city!
Whether you're part of the Bosque School community or not, the BLC offers personalized, one-on-one, and small-group tutoring, as well as gifted and twice-exceptional learning pods, for students in grades 1 through 12. For Bosque School students, on-campus sessions align with their schedules and coursework, with close collaboration between tutors, teachers, and our learning specialist. For students from other schools, BLC provides the same expert academic support in a welcoming environment that prioritizes flexibility and success.
We currently have a few openings for the 2025–26 school year — reach out now to reserve your spot!
Learn more at bosqueschool.org/learningcenter or follow along on Instagram!
Submit photos and stories to our marketing and communications team, and your alumni photos and stories to the philanthropy department.