Rio Rancho students, teachers, parents embark on new school year

RIO RANCHO — They’re baaaaack!

Students converged on Rio Rancho schools Aug. 7 for the official start of the 2025-26 school year.

It was a day the youngsters had anticipated — or dreaded, depending on the student. But at Colinas del Norte and Sandia Vista elementary schools, leadership teams reported mostly a sense of excitement among their new pupils, save for one student they witnessed crying in a drop-off lane. To some school officials, one hiccup is not a failure.

At Colinas del Norte, an elementary school near Northern Hills with an early start time, three students gathered for the morning announcements inside the office of Principal Emily Key, who wore a blue safety vest signifying her title. Key told them they had a “special opportunity” to do the announcements, which included them telling the campus what their favorite part is about the first day of school.

“Customizing our desks,” student Andrew Salgato said, in part.

“Being able to meet my friends and new people,” said student Ava Fabbro.

“Being able to say, ‘Hi!’ to everybody,” student Emerie Masterson said.

“Beautiful!” Key responded before getting the group to lead the school in the Pledge of Allegiance in English and Spanish.

The morning announcement was just a segment of what happened inside the elementary school, boasting 545 students — the highest enrollment in two years, according to Key.

The Colinas del Norte principal, who began her first school year with the school Thursday, said starting student instruction is exciting because summer preparation feels “a little bit lonely.”

“So, the first day of school is extra special. When (students) come, you feel invigorated (and) excited; the energy is there. It helps you to realize why you work so hard every day,” Key said.

Later that day, her students participated in a “parade” in which they walked around campus to look at posters to teach them about daily expectations.

“When they go to the playground, they know: How are they going to be safe? What are the actions they are going to do to perpetuate that behavior?” Key said.

She also announced a “community council” comprised of parents, teachers an business owners.

“When the community thrives, everybody thrives,” Key said. “We’re all coming together once a month to talk about how we can ensure that the school serves as a centralized hub.”

Fifteen minutes away from Colinas del Norte is Sandia Vista, a late-start elementary school in Paradise Hills with more than 700 students.

Wearing an orange vest and black T-shirt with the word “Thunder,” the school’s mascot, Principal Kirk DeSoto walked the halls of the school to ensure students were on time. Thursday marked his fourth school year leading Sandia Vista.

“It’s really exciting,” DeSoto said. “I keep telling everybody, ‘Once our kids get here, everything’s good.’”

He laughed that when lunch starts soon, “we’ll see how that goes.” On the menu was “hometown chicken and waffles,” “turkey and cheese wrap” and “homemade pig in a blanket,” according to the school’s website.

The menu items were announced during his morning announcements, which, in contrast to Colinas del Norte, is broadcast from a make-shift television studio. It’s a project DeSoto started when he became principal in response to students being “scared” from intercom announcements.

“We’re super excited about that,” DeSoto said of the online broadcast, which classrooms can watch any time.

Though not in the same neighborhoods, Colinas del Norte and Sandia Vista saw a similar scene on the first day of school. Crossing guards managed the flow of traffic around both campuses to ensure the safety of parents and students. Parents, like Bryn and Leticia Fragua, hugged and gave their children pep talks before they headed through the double doors.

“He’s leap-frogging and going into a new phase. I’m excited for him,” Bryn Fragua said of his son, Noah, a kindergartener.

Leticia said she was happy her son appeared excited about school itself. However, he seemed nervous about making friends, she said. But the experience of going to school, including being able to make friends, will be good for Noah, as far as Leticia is concerned.

The Fraguas both said the first day of school made them feel “excited and anxious at the same time.” Two feelings, it’s safe to say, that might last them the whole school year as they shepherd their little one through learning.