Menaul School is an independent, co-educational, college preparatoryday-and-boarding school located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Established in 1896 as a training school for "Spanish-American boys"[1], Menaul School has evolved into a multicultural institution serving a diverse student body from grades 6 through 12. Menaul School is Albuquerque's most diverse school, with a longstanding majority-minority population[2] and students currently hailing from more than 21 countries and six Native American nations and pueblos.[3] Menaul School's campus is also the home of the Menaul Historical Library of the Southwest.[4]
Menaul School, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was founded in 1896 by the Presbyterian Church as part of its mission education efforts, specifically to provide education to Spanish-speaking New Mexican youth. The school was originally called the Menaul Training School, named for the Reverend James Menaul, who had acquired funding for the site from the Presbyterian Church.[1]
The early 20th century saw significant developments at Menaul School under the leadership of Superintendent Harper Donaldson, who was appointed in 1916. During his tenure, Donaldson was instrumental in advancing the educational methods and curriculum at Menaul, including coeducational programs that began in 1934. This period also saw the school acting as a supervisory hub for more than 20 Presbyterian mission schools in New Mexico and Southern Colorado. These "plaza schools" were centers for education in rural New Mexico, and also served as hospitals and medical stations.[5] In 2003, the last plaza school, the John Hyson School, closed.[6]
Teachers' Hall in the 1920s
Post World War II, the school underwent significant changes. As New Mexico grew in population and diversity, Menaul School underwent a shift towards serving a broader demographic, including international students. Menaul School Road (now Menaul Boulevard) was paved in 1948 as Albuquerque expanded northwards[7]. In 1957, Menaul School was authorized to offer F visas to international students, further diversifying the student body.[8] In 1971, the Presbyterian Church formally transferred control of Menaul School to an independent board of trustees.
Today, Menaul School is recognized for its multicultural educational environment, maintaining a strong connection with its Presbyterian roots while continuing to adapt to the educational demands of a global community. The school's historical significance is preserved within its campus, notably at the Menaul Historical Library of the Southwest, which houses extensive archives relating to the school and the broader Presbyterian education and healthcare movement in the southwestern United States, including many of the founding documents of Presbyterian Healthcare Services.[9]
Menaul School is situated on a historic campus in the center of Albuquerque, spanning 28 acres and featuring New Mexico's largest collection of Mission Revival buildings. Many of the older buildings on Menaul School's campus were built of adobe and Sandia mountain stone by students and faculty.[10]
Old Brick: The oldest building on the Menaul School campus, Old Brick was first erected in 1886. It was rebuilt in 1890 using its original bricks following a devastating fire. The Annex was added in 1934 and became the first girl's dormitory. Today, Old Brick is the location of humanities classrooms for the upper school.
Donaldson Hall: First built in 1924 and originally named the Administration Building. It was later named after Harper Donaldson, who served as the head of school from 1916 to 1953. This building is the location of the school administration and also accommodates the middle school on the upper floor, and the chapel on the lower floor. The hall is notable for its resilience, having survived a significant fire in 1946.
Allison Hall: Initially a dormitory building, Allison Hall was named after Matilda L. Allison, a Presbyterian educator whose students were incorporated into Menaul School in 1934[11], marking the transition to coeducational instruction. Allison Hall is the new home of the Menaul Historical Library.
Helen Porter Childs Hall: Constructed in 1941 of adobe brick to house an expansion of Menaul School's home economics program, "HPC" now serves as a student life and classroom space.
The President's Cottage: First constructed in 1906 in Queen Anne style architecture, the President's Cottage serves as the home of the Menaul School President and Head of School.
Rendon Hall: Constructed in 1957, Rendon Hall serves as the location of science laboratories, mathematics classes, and the fine arts wing, as well as the Menaul School greenhouse.Rendon HallTeacher's Hall: Built to accommodate female faculty members in 1921. As of 2022, the building has been fully renovated and now serves as a girls' dormitory.
Bennett Hall: Currently serving as the boys' dormitory and the location of the Performing Arts department. The building's construction in 1922 involved contributions from students and staff, highlighting the community's involvement in campus development.
Menaul School provides a college-preparatory curriculum aimed at preparing students for higher education and subsequent careers. As an independent, coeducational day-and-boarding school, it incorporates a comprehensive educational approach that combines intellectual, moral, and spiritual development suitable for both domestic and international students from more than 20 countries.
Menaul School's academic program covers grades 6 through 12, featuring core requirements in mathematics, science, English, religion & philosophy, and social studies, along with elective courses in fine arts, performing arts, technology, and foreign languages, as well as specific courses in SAT preparation. The school offers Advanced Placement (AP) and honors classes to accommodate students seeking advanced academic challenges and college credit opportunities. Menaul School's credit requirements are significantly higher than those of the State of New Mexico, 29 credits compared to the state's requirement of 24. In 2020, Menaul School adopted an internationally-focused Integrated Mathematics curriculum[12].
Menaul School has one of New Mexico's oldest football teams, founded in 1904.[13] In addition to football, the school offers a variety of sports, including basketball, soccer, volleyball, track and field, cross country, flag football, and baseball. Menaul's teams, known as the Panthers, regularly compete in state and regional championships. Sports are played on Tomlinson Field, the only high school field in Albuquerque with its own lights, allowing night games.
Mission Week is an upper school tradition where students travel in an expanding sphere into Albuquerque, the state, neighboring states, and finally internationally to engage in service learning[15]. Mission Week takes place each spring and the work Menaul School students undertake is regularly featured by the Presbyterian Church in its national publications.[16]
Menaul School's football team, established in 1904, significantly influenced the adoption of football in New Mexico and contributed to the color traditions of both the University of New Mexico (UNM) and Albuquerque Academy. In its early years, Menaul competed against UNM, sharing equipment and materials with the university, leading UNM to adopt red—a Menaul color—as part of their team colors. Similarly, when Albuquerque Academy needed equipment and a field, they were allowed to use Menaul's facilities and uniforms, resulting in the Academy also adopting red and black, the colors of Menaul's donated football uniforms.[13]
Since 2019, Menaul School has maintained an active student exchange with the LÖWENROT-Gymnasium, in St. Leon-Rot,Germany. Students from Menaul School are able to participate in exchange trips to Germany and France, and students from Germany visit and attend classes in New Mexico.[18]
