Our Affiliated Site: Mariano Lake Community School in New Mexico

 

facts about Mariano Lake Community School:

  • Grades Served: Kindergarten – sixth grade
  • Facility Description: A campus of small, portable buildings that house classrooms, a cafeteria, a library, and offices.
  • Meals: A nutritious breakfast and lunch are served each day. One hundred percent of students qualify for the Federal Free/Reduced-Price Meal program.
  • Education: The curriculum parallels the New Mexico state education standards. In addition to core academic subjects, the Navajo language, history, and culture are taught.
  • Transportation: Children are bused to and from their respective homes each day.
  • Daily Schedule: Classes begin at 8:00 a.m. and dismissal is at 3:00 p.m.
  • Extracurricular Activities: Students enjoy regular activities and sports.

The remote town of Crownpoint is located in northwestern New Mexico, near the Arizona border and the vast Navajo Indian Reservation. Many of the American Indian families in this area generate income by making and selling jewelry and pottery. A few families maintain small herds of livestock. Unemployment is high, and many parents rely on public assistance as their only means to afford feeding and clothing their children.

For this reason, the Mariano Lake Community School serves as a beacon of hope for the students who board here. It is one of the few places where they receive the attention and nurturing they so desperately need. Through a sound education, a healthy living environment, and compassionate teachers who build self-esteem, these young children are provided with the vital support they need to succeed.