Bosque School is an independent, co-educational, college preparatory school for grades 6–12 founded in 1994. The school sits on a site along the Rio Grande bosque in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Surrounded by the riparian forest of the bosque, the school emphasizes environmental science, the arts, and service learning. With 384 students and 60 teaching faculty, there is a 6:1 student/faculty ratio. An average class size at Bosque School is 14 students. The school is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest and is a member of NAIS, NACAC, NMAA, APIAL and other associations.
In August 1995, Bosque Preparatory School opened in a rented space in Albuquerque's Northeast Heights with 72 sixth and seventh grade students and Dr. Gary Gruber as its first school principal.
In 1996, the Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program (BEMP) began as a collaboration between the Biology Department of the University of New Mexico and the Black Institute for Environmental Studies at Bosque School.
In 1998, President Gerald R. Ford and his family assisted in launching the school's first capital campaign, through which almost $1 million was secured to begin construction on a permanent site.
On March 28, 1999, permanent site construction started alongside the bosque.
In 2000, Bosque School relocated to a new campus at Coors and Montano, NW, near to a 100-acre forest. The campus was created with three structures and a gym bubble.
In spring 2001, Bosque School's first senior class graduated with eleven students.
On October 25, 2001, Bosque School dedicated two newly constructed buildings to the Peggie Ann Findlay Performing Arts Center and the Gerald and Betty Ford Library. The arts center name reflects one of the school founders' Dr. Findlay’s appreciation for the theater and fine arts. The Gerald and Betty Ford Library was named after the 38th president and first lady of the United States, who were also the school supporters.
In 2019, Dr. Jessie Barrie was appointed as the fourth principal of Bosque School.]]
The campus sits on 23 acres of land directly adjacent to the riparian forest supported by the Rio Grande. It has numerous buildings, including: Peggie Ann Findlay Performing Arts Center, Budagher Hall, Upper and Middle School Buildings, a gymnasium, the Gerald Ford Library, and the 15,500 square foot "Schoolhouse".
Archeology On Campus
During an expansion project in early 2007, an ancient Native American pueblo was found on the southern end of the campus. To preserve this archaeological discovery, the tennis courts and the Klaus Weber Championship Soccer Field were moved slightly to preserve the land. This ancient pueblo site is used as an educational resource in history classes.
Controversy
In 2024, an article by the local chapter of the ACLU accused the school of "discrimination and systemic racism", leading to a toxic learning environment. The school's former Director of Equity, Community, and Culture described how the school had a high turnover of students and faculty of color and how former students described experiences of racism on campus.