Education for New Mexicans over the Years

There was very little education in New Mexico in the Spanish and Mexican periods. A few folks were sent south into Mexico during the Spanish period. Mostly boys or men who were to go into the priesthood. This was for education in excess of what their parents could provide here.

During the Mexican period the situation changed but little, a few more to the military schools in Mexico.

When the Americans came the religious folk, most notably the Presbyterians and the Catholic churches established schools. The Presbyterians wanted to convert Catholics and the Catholics wanted to keep them Catholic.

The Catholic church actually fought public education in New Mexico. 

Public education is essential for New Mexicans to move forward and any efforts to diminish the public educational system should be fought tooth and nail.