Our History

Taos Day School was started as a Catholic mission school in 1886 with Inosencio Valdez as the first teacher in charge. It was sponsored by Bishop Salpointe and Father Antonio of Sante Fe. Its first location was in the old community building now used as a jail house. Some of the first teachers were Donaciano Quesnel, Lena Scheurich, Fidel A. Valdez and Maggie Simpson. In 1892 the school was moved to one of the community houses now used as a granary. The government took over the school in 1893 while it was at this location. Mr. Neal was the first teacher in charge under the auspices of the United States Government. He was followed by Mrs. Dwire, who was in charge of the school for 15 years.

In 1910 the school was built at its present site. It first began with two buildings--the present principal's house and the teachers' quarters. The land was bought from the Taos Pueblo after it was condemned and appraised. The school site comprises a little over eight acres. Mrs. Dwire was followed successively by Mr. Holander, Miss Howard, Mr. Marks, Mr. Reyna, and Mr. Doyle, who is its present head.

In 1924 an addition to the old school building was made to include more classrooms, a gymnasium, and the home economics cottage. This school takes care of the Taos Pueblo pupils from the first grade through the tenth.

Larrey Torres Archives

(excerpt from E. Garcìa record, 1950)