In 2001-02, the district received a 21st Century Learning Community Grant that funded after-school tutoring at three RRPS elementary schools and one middle school. It was named "Chiles.” When the grant expired in 2004, the district leadership decided to launch Students Achieving for Excellence (aka S.A.F.E.), a before-and-after-school program at each elementary school. At the time, there were fewer elementary schools, and each S.A.F.E. Program served significantly fewer students. Today, S.A.F.E. serves students in all of the district’s elementary schools and over 1,000 students. We are proud to offer ten distinct and high-quality S.A.F.E. Programs that engage students in age-appropriate enrichment activities as well as with quality toys, board, and cooperative learning games. S.A.F.E. utilizes a variety of learning spaces throughout the school campus.

S.A.F.E. is an enrichment program for students who access our services before and/or after school at a student’s elementary school. Please note that S.A.F.E. is not a daycare, and we do not offer a drop-in service.

The S.A.F.E enrichment program provides developmentally appropriate activities for our students in grades kindergarten through grade five. Developmentally appropriate activities may include literacy, dance, sports, music, math club, chess, arts-and-crafts, gym games, and hands-on science activities and themed activities throughout the school year.

The vision of the Rio Rancho Public Schools’ S.A.F.E. Program is to become a nationally recognized before and after school program that serves our community by empowering children to succeed socially and academically through quality enrichment, learning, and role modeling experiences.

The mission of the Rio Rancho Public Schools’ S.A.F.E. Program is to provide a challenging and nurturing environment that empowers each child to discover more about him/herself and to thrive academically, socially and physically through unique and engaging experiences.

The Rio Rancho Public Schools SAFE Program believes that we are responsible for ensuring:

• Every child will have a sense of belonging and is valued as an individual.

• Each child is capable of achieving a high standard of personal accountability both academically and socially.

• Our S.A.F.E. staff make a critical contribution to the academic, social, and physical development of each student served.

• Each student is respected for his/her individual and cultural diversity.

• All children are engaged in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment.