Admissions

Admissions FAQ

When does the SFIS Application for Admission become available?

The 25-26 SFIS Application for Admission will be available on our website on Friday, November 1, 2024. 

When does the application close? 

The 25-26 SFIS Application for Admission will close on our website on February 1, 2025, midnight. SFIS reserves the right to extend the deadline without notice.  

Is there an eligibility requirement for Indian blood quantum?

Yes, per federal guidelines, SFIS requires applicants to demonstrate they are a member of, or are at least one-fourth degree Indian blood descendent of a member of, a federally recognized tribe.

Which documents are required for an application for the 7th grade?

• Grade Report 
  
  • Applicants for grades 7 and 8
    • Most recent 24-25 report card
  • Applicants for grade 9
    • Most recent 24-25 report card
  • Applicants for grades 10-12
    • Unofficial transcript from the 24-25 school year with semester I grades
• State test scores - iMSSA, MAP, NWEA, MSSA or other standardized state assessment
• Birth Certificate
• Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB) or a parent's CIB demonstrating at least 1/2 degree of Indian blood
  • Certificate of Indian Blood must be from a federally recognized tribe
  • If using a parent's CIB, the parent must be named on the applicant's birth certificate
• Current Teacher Recommendation Form
  
  • Form link will be available in October, 2024
• Tribal Leader or Community Member Recommendation Form
  • Form link will be available in October, 2024 
• Legal guardianship documents (if applicable)
• If applicable:
  • Current Individualized Education Program (IEP) and/or
  • Current 504 Plan and/or 
  • Current Gifted and Talented Individualized Education Program (GT-IEP) 

What does the SFIS application process entail?

Applicants must submit an online application and take the Admissions Exam. The Admissions Committee will review complete applications and make final decisions in March. Applicants will be notified by mail and email in April of admissions decisions.  

What is the Admissions Exam and when is the exam offered?

The Admissions Exam is utilized by the Admissions Committee to learn more about the applicant and to assesses their math and reading skills to help determine the most appropriate course placement for the student. After an applicant has started an application, they will be invited to an exam session. Applicants are required to take the exam in-person at the SFIS Campus.  

The Admissions Exam consists of the following:

• Written questionnaire: applicants will hand-write on a number of topics and questions that help the Admissions Committee learn about who they are and allows for an applicant to express personal interest in SFIS.

• Placement tests: applicants will complete a math and reading assessment.  Results are not a factor in determining acceptance to SFIS but help determine the most appropriate course placement for the student. 

When are the Admissions Exam sessions scheduled?

An email to RSVP for the Admissions Exam will be sent to applicants with an application on file. Walk-ins will not be accepted.

Who can assist me with uploading documents to the online application?

Tribal education departments, tribal libraries, and public libraries are great resources for our tribal and urban communities. Contact them directly to find out how they can help. The SFIS Office of Admissions staff can also assist by phone, text, and email with challenges you may have uploading documents.

Please note, picture files may work for some but not all uploads. Please utilize the information below as an additional resource to create pdf files of your documents using your phone:

Creating PDF files on your iPhone

If you have an iPhone, you use your notes app to scan documents to upload to OLR, here's a short video on how to create pdfs using the Notes app: Create PDF using Notes App (iPhone)

Creating PDF files on your Android phone

You can follow the written directions below or, access this short video on how to create a PDF file from an Android Device, Create a PDF Using Google Drive (Android Device)

Scan and create a PDF document on an Android Device

1.) Open your Google Drive app (Google Drive icon).
2.) In the bottom right, tap Add (+).
3.) Tap Scan (camera icon).
 4.) Tap button to take a photo of the document you’d like to scan, tap OK. If this is the only page of your document, tap Save. If you have another page for the same document, tap the add icon at the bottom of the page (looks like two documents on top of each other with a cross in the center). After all documents have been added, tap Save. You will be given the option to save your document to whichever file you choose in your Google Drive. Tap, Save.

I have a current SFIS student enrolled this school year. Do I need to re-apply?

No, you do not have to re-apply. Parents/guardians of our current SFIS students will receive an Intent to Return declaration in the spring that will provide notice to us of your plans to have your student return for the 24-25 SY.

Who do I contact if I need help or have questions? 

Contact the Office of Admissions. 

Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Admissions Main Phone: (505) 989-6370

Admissions Secondary Phone: (505) 690-6293

Admissions Email: admissions@sfis.k12.nm.us