# Santa Fe High School (New Mexico)

Santa Fe High School is a public secondary school located in Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States. Founded in 1899, it is one of the oldest high schools in New Mexico. The school exclusively educates a secondary student-based body, ninth through twelfth grades.
Known for its Advanced Placement (AP) program, the school's test scores regularly outperform state, national, and global averages. The participation rate among students for AP examinations is 42% as of the 2017 academic year.
Notable graduates include Zach Condon, creator and leading member of the indie folk band Beirut, and the youngest-ever mayor of Santa Fe, George Abrán Gonzales, who is also the father of the former mayor, Javier Gonzales.

## History

Santa Fe High School was established in 1899 by the merchant, politician, and Governor Miguel Antonio Otero. It is the oldest of the three Santa Fe public high schools. The school was originally located downtown, one block from the Plaza in the space where City Hall and the Convention Center currently sit. The new location on a hilltop above Yucca and Siringo roads was built and opened in 1966 where students slowly transitioned until the downtown campus was officially closed in 1977.
Following principal Carl Marano's promotion in 2021, the district announced Renee Salazar-Garcia as Marano's replacement. Salazar-Garcia assumed office in July 2021. Salazar-Garcia resigned in November 2022 to "pursue new career opportunities". Superintendent Hilario Chavez named former assistant principal David Vincent as interim principal. Vincent was later appointed the permanent principal of the school, and assumed office in early December 2022. Vincent abruptly resigned in January 2024, and was replaced by Interim Jakob Lain. The District called Lain out of retirement to replace Vincent, whose resignation came as a shock to many. Although Lain came out of retirement and took office in late January, he was only a temporary replacement. In March 2024, the district announced the incumbent assistant principal Jamie Chavez, known for her red hair, will take office as directing principal starting off the 2024-2025 school year in August.

## Academics

The school is a part of U.S. Department of Education's Green Ribbon Program and Sustainable Santa Fe. Santa Fe High has installed numerous solar panels that partially supply the energy of the campus.
In relation to its Advanced Placement (AP) program, Santa Fe High School's test scores regularly outperform state, national, and global averages. The participation rate among students for AP examinations is 42% as of the 2017 academic year.
Santa Fe High features a student-run media organization known as "The Demon Tattler". The Tattler has served as the school's official newspaper for over 60 years, but as of 2015, it has transitioned into an online-only entity. Students who enroll in the dedicated Journalism class serve as reporters for the Demon Tattler Website. Journalism students are also responsible for the publishing of daily school news videos to the Demon Tattler YouTube channel. As of 2023, Barbara Gerber serves as the head of the Journalism department of the Demon Tattler, while John Morrison leads the Video Production Department.

## Athletics

Santa Fe High School is a participating school in NM District 2-AAAAAA of the New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA). The school has won over 28 state championships from NMAA-sanctioned sports and events. The SFHS tennis teams (coached by math teacher Ramon Martinez) in the 1980s were particularly successful, being undefeated in dual matches (88–0) between 1979 and 1983. Another of the school's most dominant programs was its cross country team in the late 1970s and early '80s under coach John Alire, winning twelve state title trophies during this span.
St Michael's High School is a traditional sporting rival, dating back more than 100 years.

### State championships

    New Mexico State Champions Varsity sport Year: Cross country, boys' (Class AAAA) 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980 Cross country, girls' (Class AAAA) 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 Volleyball (Class AAAA) 1978, 1983, 1994 Soccer, boys' 2021 (22–1, Class 5A) Football 1979 (13–1, Class AAAA) Basketball, boys' 1978 (28–2, Class AAAA) Basketball, girls' 1988 (20-6, Class AAAA), 2014 (30–2, Class AAAA) Baseball 1977 (Class AAAA) Tennis, girls' 1978, 1979, 1994, 1995, 1997 (tie) (Class AAAA) Tennis, boys' 1982, 1983 (Class AAAA) Golf, boys' 1976 (Class AAAA) Golf, girls' 1985 (Class AAAA) Track & field, boys' 1992 Runner-Up (Class AAAA) Track & field, girls' 2014 Runner-Up (Class AAAA)

## Notable alumni

* Dana Tai Soon Burgess, dancer, leading Asian-American choreographer
* Zach Condon, creator and leading member of the indie folk band Beirut
* George Abrán Gonzales, Mayor of Santa Fe (1968–1972); Santa Fe High School Senior class president
* Javier Gonzales, Mayor of Santa Fe (2014–2018)
* Leroy Petry, the second living person to receive the United States Armed Forces' highest decoration for valor, the Medal of Honor, for actions that occurred since the Vietnam War
* Carla Garrett (1984 Graduate) – SFHS Track, Basketball, & Soccer. U of A 10-time NCAA All-American + 3-time NCAA national champion. Silver medalist at World Weightlifting Championships. Olympian. 2015 NM Sports Hall of Fame. Collegiate Coach.
* James Martinez (1983 Graduate) – SFHS Basketball, Tennis. U.S. national rowing team 1993–1998 + 6-time U.S. National Champion (single/double/quadruple sculls). 1996 Olympian. Multiple international medals.