at Raíces del Saber
Get a glimpse of the student experience and the community-centered and learner-centered approach Raíces del Saber takes to support learners in this short video.
This is the first post in a series of three posts about Raíces del Saber Xinachtli Community School in Las Cruces, New Mexico. In this post, we introduce the school’s unique curriculum, pedagogy, and instructional philosophy—rooted in Mesoamerican indigenous traditions, dual language immersion, and a deep belief that education is an act of love.
Raíces del Saber Xinachtli Community School wasn’t built for its community — it was built by its community. In this post, we explore how Raíces enacts the six key practices of community schools:
- Powerful student and family engagement
- Collaborative leadership and shared power and voice
- Expanded and enriched learning opportunities
- Rigorous, community-connected classroom instruction
- Culture of belonging, safety, and care
- Integrated systems of support
From kitchen-table conversations that sparked a lawsuit and ultimately a school, to kindergartners serving on Student Council, to families learning Nahuatl alongside their children at school events, discover how Raíces brings these practices to life in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
In this post, we explore the ways in which Raíces del Saber is implementing the seven key elements that define competency-based education. From fifth grade caracol capstone projects presented at New Mexico State University to standards-based report cards that replace letter grades with detailed proficiency scales, Raíces has built a learning environment where culture, identity, and rigorous academics are inseparable. Dive in to discover how students at Raíces are thriving in a school where learning to honor your ancestors and learning to move between two mathematical systems are, in fact, the same lesson.
Learn more about the other community school sites here.