About Us
At All Angels Episcopal Day School, we believe every child deserves access to high-quality early childhood education. As a FOCUS-verified, five-star program, AAEDS offers a nurturing, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate environment where children thrive through play-based learning.
We are a small school with just four classrooms, allowing us to maintain intentionally low teacher-to-student ratios. While we meet all state standards, we go above and beyond by aligning our class sizes with Episcopal school standards, which support smaller ratios to ensure more mindful, attentive care.
Our learning spaces are purposefully arranged to feel safe and inspiring—not overwhelming—so children can explore, grow, and truly feel at home. Just as important, we are a deeply connected, family-centered community. With frequent opportunities for meaningful family engagement, we build strong partnerships between educators and caregivers, ensuring that each child is surrounded by a circle of trust, support, and love.
Mission
As a ministry of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, All Angels Episcopal Day School has served the community since 1988 as a non-profit early childhood education program. While we are rooted in Episcopal tradition, we serve families of all backgrounds and beliefs with warmth and respect.
We are committed to nurturing the whole child—emotionally, socially, physically, and cognitively, with respect for each family’s values and beliefs. As a non-profit, all revenue after expenses is reinvested into the school to improve facilities, support continuing education for teachers, and offer meaningful enrichment for students.
Philosophy
At All Angels Episcopal Day School, we believe every child arrives with unique strengths, curiosities, and potential. Those gifts flourish best in a nurturing, play‑based environment grounded in mutual respect and strong relationships—between teachers, families, and children. We partner with parents to set individualized, achievable goals and use tools like the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (with parental consent) to guide our curriculum and celebrate each child’s growth across all domains.
Championing Inclusion & Advocacy
AAEDS champions high‑quality, inclusive early childhood education for every family. We advocate for and support children of all abilities, providing resource referrals and collaborating with local specialists to ensure each child’s needs are met.
Continuous Quality & Family Partnership
We pursue excellence through ongoing reflection and improvement. Annual family surveys guide our progress, and parents serve not only on our Board of Directors but also on active subcommittees—such as Family Engagement and Community Outreach—so your voice shapes our school’s direction. Our educators participate in rigorous, year‑round professional development to deliver the very best learning experiences.
Valuing Diversity & Culture
We honor the rich tapestry of backgrounds in our community. Families are invited to share their cultures, traditions, and talents in individual classrooms or at school‑wide events. We accommodate special requests—whether cultural celebrations, dietary needs, or adaptive supports—to ensure every child and family feels seen and respected.
Hands‑On, Community‑Connected Learning
We understand that what—and how—children learn in their early years lays the foundation for life. Our classrooms are arranged into learning centers (Blocks, Dramatic Play, Science, Writing, Art, Reading, Manipulatives) with materials rotated regularly to spark discovery. Teachers design theme‑based units and hands‑on projects, and we host monthly “Community Connections” where children interact with local partners—firefighters, dancers, artists, and more—bringing the wider world into our school and inspiring real‑world learning.
Inspired by Reggio Emilia
At All Angels Episcopal Day School, our educational philosophy is deeply inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach. We view children as capable, curious, and full of potential, and we believe that learning is most meaningful when it emerges from their interests and experiences.
Our classrooms are designed to foster exploration, creativity, and collaboration. Teachers act as co-learners and guides, carefully observing and documenting children's work to support their growth and deepen their understanding. We emphasize:
Child-led inquiry and project-based learning
Rich environments that invite discovery and interaction
Documentation as a tool for reflection and celebration of learning
Strong relationships among children, families, and educators
This approach helps children develop critical thinking, communication, and a lifelong love of learning—all within a nurturing and respectful community.
Holistic Approach
At All Angels, we believe that both what children learn and how they learn during their early years are critical to their overall development. Our program offers opportunities for growth across all domains—spiritual, emotional, social, physical, and cognitive—through play-based and teacher-facilitated, hands-on learning experiences. Educators create a safe, nurturing environment rich with resources and thoughtfully planned activities that foster new skills while reinforcing those already acquired.
Our Heritage and Inclusive Community
All Angels Preschool is rooted in a long-standing partnership with the St. Michaels Episcopal Church, which has supported the school for over 30 years. While we honor this heritage, our program is inclusive and welcoming to families of all backgrounds and beliefs. We welcome and celebrate the diversity of our community. All Angels does not discriminate in admissions or employment based on race, religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.
As part of our connection to the church, families are invited to participate in an optional chapel program, held outside of state-funded instructional time in accordance with New Mexico PreK guidelines. Participation is voluntary, and families may opt out at any time. For those interested, Rector Mike is available to share more information.
Beyond chapel, our values are reflected in how we care for one another, promote social justice, and encourage children to make a positive impact in their community and the wider world..
5 Star License
At All Angels Episcopal Day School, we believe every child deserves access to high-quality early childhood education. We are proud to be an active participant in New Mexico’s FOCUS program and to hold a 5-STAR license from the State of New Mexico’s Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD)—the highest quality rating available.
This designation reflects our commitment to excellence in early learning, including:
Targeted support for both programs and educators
Ongoing professional development to enhance teaching practices and program quality
Alignment with the New Mexico Early Learning Guidelines and school readiness goals
Intentional curriculum planning and child assessment practices
Health and developmental screenings that support the whole child
A culture of continuous quality improvement
Our 5-STAR rating is more than a badge—it’s a reflection of our dedication to nurturing every child’s growth in a safe, supportive, and enriching environment.