Our Campus Transformations

June 11, 2025

Happy summer break  from Escuela del Sol Montessori + Harwood Art Center!

In the spring we introduced the Escuela + Harwood Board of Trustees. Since that first installment of our Educating Escuela donor impact series, we have added board member and alumnus Kersen Witkin. He brings expertise in green development and sustainability, and we are excited to have him on the board!

In this letter, we are sharing how your contributions have helped make improvements across campus.

While many of you are on campus daily, others are alumni and alumni families, as well as grandparents and former faculty who can only visit sporadically. We want to express gratitude for putting your trust in us with:

WITH YOUR HELP, OUR CAMPUS THRIVES

It literally takes a village to steward a historic campus like Escuela del Sol Montessori + Harwood Art Center. With the support of a team of collaborators, we’ve made remarkable progress in preserving and revitalizing our home.

BIG IMPROVEMENTS BY THE NUMBERS

HARWOOD WINDOW REPLACEMENT PROJECT

In 2024, we completed the largest capital outlay project in our history: the replacement of 220 century-old windows with high-efficiency glass, maintaining the historic beauty while significantly improving energy efficiency.

We’re especially grateful to an anonymous donor for making a major gift to help support a portion of this $800,000+ effort!

Sam Sterling Architecture, Jonathan S. Craig Architect LLC, Campoverde Architecture, and SDV Construction, and Enterprise Bank were the masterminds who managed design and logistics for us.

BOILER + RADIATOR UPGRADES

In 2023, we partnered with New Mexico Gas to install a new energy-efficient boiler and upgraded 90 radiators, ensuring warm, comfortable spaces for our students and staff.

PRIMARY PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENTS

Thanks to an anonymous donor, we replaced the original climber with new, safe, and engaging equipment for our youngest learners to explore and enjoy.

CAMPUS BUILDING REPAIRS

The Toddler building, dating back to 1932, received a comprehensive floor restoration by R.L. Marek and Co., ensuring safety and comfort for our youngest students.

The Primary + Elementary buildings saw fresh stucco repairs and painting in 2023 and 2024. The walls surrounding the Elementary playground also got fresh stucco.

The Elementary classrooms and Jr. High House got upgraded air conditioning units. The upstairs cooling unit in the Admin Building was also upgraded.

MAIN WATER LINE REPLACEMENT

Accelerated due to urgent need, the main water line to the Harwood building was replaced in 2024, along with essential pipe repairs throughout the building.

LOOKING AHEAD TO HARWOOD’S CENTENNIAL

As we approach the 100th anniversary of the Harwood building in the fall, we are seeking secure support to:

Please feel free to reach out to either of us if you want to learn more about these initiatives.

We invite you to join us in honoring the long legacy of our campus as a learning space and preparing for the next century of community impact.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Your support makes so much possible.

Sincerely,