Welcome

Desert Academy served the Santa Fe community for 25 years. Founded in 1994, the school was originally located in Lamy, a small community about 15 miles south of Santa Fe. Approximately 30 adventuresome students took the train daily from downtown Santa Fe.

In 2001, the school moved to Camino Alire near the center of town. During those years, the school earned a reputation for academic excellence and a nurturing, inclusive culture. In 2008, Desert Academy adopted the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (grades 11-12) and in 2011 became the first high school in New Mexico to be authorized as an International Baccalaureate World School, offering both the Middle Years Program (grades 6 – 10) and the Diploma Program. Desert moved one final time in 2012 to 26 acres on the historic Old Santa Fe Trail.

Over the years, the institution developed an outstanding international reputation, sending its graduates to the great American and international universities, such as Stanford University, Harvard University, Columbia University, University of Arts London, Washington University, Duke University, Smith College, Brown University, Barnard College, Maryland Institute College of Art, Goucher College, Savannah College of Art and Design, Oberlin College, University of Colorado Boulder, Loyola University, San Francisco State University, Lewis and Clark College, UC Santa Barbara, Whitman College, Pitzer College, Trinity University, Parsons School for Design, University of Wisconsin, University of Southern California, Santa Barbara City College, Universidad Camilo José Cela Madrid, among many others.

Desert Academy closed its doors in August 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We wish to thank our families, faculty and staff, vendors, friends, donors and, most importantly, our students and alumni for sharing their wonderful spirits and support over the years.