Jessica LeBron

Review of Desert Academy in Santa Fe

In my experience, this school has been the best pl...

In my experience, this school has been the best place for me to learn and grow as a student and a young adult. I can confidently say that I feel far more prepared than my friends at other schools for my journey next year. While there are some downsides (very small size, lack of general communication/organization) I feel that these sacrifices are well worth the benefits. As co-president of the student council I know that the administration at the school does work very hard to try and please everyone, that is obviously not always possible. Still, the emphasis on critical thinking and the trust placed in the students to do their own work helps students grow to be responsible young adults. Additionally, the depth that teachers go in to the subjects creates a much more profound and connected understanding of how subjects relate to each other and the real world. I will say that if you come to the IB program, you have to be prepared to work really hard and the program does put a lot of stress on students. This does have benefits, as I feel much more prepared to deal with any hurdles that will come my way in the coming years. Overall, the school is best fit for students that are willing to take initiative, work hard, and develop a real interest in learning. If you are looking to coast through your high school years without being challenged I would definitely suggest looking elsewhere.