ALBUQUERQUE, NM (KRQE) – One of the oldest schools in the state marks a major milestone in caring for children in Albuquerque. The San Felipe de Neri School celebrates 140 years of teaching.
The school takes care of students from kindergarten through eighth grade and over the years they still see many of them coming back – either to teach or to enroll their own children. Kindergarten teacher Jennifer Kinney began her experience at the San Felipe de Neri School when she was about the same age as many of the students she currently teaches.
“I grew up around this area, near Old Town,” Kinney said. “My family actually went to school here and I grew up across the street from school so we have a lot of family history in this area.”
Now she is celebrating 15 years of teaching at the school, as well as 140 years of Catholic education in the old town. Kinney says former college students are still coming to visit.
“You still remember all the funny things we said and did in class,” Kinney said. “It makes me very proud that you even remember your kindergarten teacher. It says a lot about the relationship we have built with each other. “
San Felipe de Neri opened in 1881 as one of the first public schools in Albuquerque. The school says former students continue to return to school and not just as teachers.
“In my current eighth grade, I have at least two or three whose parents I taught,” says Richard Diaz. “It is really nice to see that the community continues, because we are proud to be a school of generations.”
Diaz and his wife have been teaching at the school for 30 years. When it comes to why the so-called “generation school” has survived over the years, he has his theories.
“I think a lot of it has to do with the historical nature of the old town. We are of course connected to San Felipe Church and so the two go hand in hand, ”said Diaz. “We also have many of our families who have had a history in the old town for many generations. Since they brought their children here, they continue to provide our school with generations of children. “
Kinney agrees. She says that the school’s roots in faith, family, and community likely keep it thriving all those years later. “I feel a very warm community at this school and I think that’s what makes me and the rest of the teachers come here every year. It’s a nice family environment, ”said Kinney. “All of these things uplift our students and make them better people and they make us better people,” added, “It’s a school of pride and a school of love and everyone is welcome.”
This Wednesday there will be an event in the school to celebrate the anniversary, but it will be closed to the public. A gala is also planned for February. Tickets will go on sale next week. They ask alumni to register on their website in order to be informed about future anniversary events.
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