TAOS — Students from Taos Pueblo face a difficult choice each year: Start classes a week behind their peers, or start school on time and miss out on annual Pueblo cultural practices?

This year, Vista Grande Charter High School became the first local school to adjust its start date until all students, including members of Taos Pueblo, could attend. Classes typically start in mid-August but began this year Sept. 2. The school also offers a program to help preserve Pueblo students' Native language.

“Because of cultural activities that take place in August, a lot of our students have to miss out,” Taos Pueblo Tiwa Language Program Director Mary Alice Martinez told The Taos News . “They have to choose and ask, ‘Do I want to go to school or do I want that time?’ Every year, since time immemo

See Full Page