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To Apply for the Corio Aspiring Innovators Program, a student must meet the following criteria:

  • You are a rising 6th to 11th grade student
  • You are applying for Domestic Day or Domestic Boarding and are from or are living in New Mexico
  • Can demonstrate financial need, beyond what the school provides in the Individualized Tuition Program (see our Tuition page and Case Studies for examples)
  • You are a motivated student, with the intention of attending college

Steps to follow:

  1. Complete the Menaul School admission process, and the FACTS Grant and Aid applications for 2023-24.
  2. Submit the Corio Aspiring Innovators essay application. See below for directions.
  3. Email to admission@menaulschool.org with the subject line: Corio Aspiring Innovators Application

Application deadline:

Your Corio Aspiring Innovators (CAI) application will only be considered once the admission and financial need application processes are complete.

How to submit:

Submit your essays by emailing to: admission@menaulschool.org with the subject line: Corio Aspiring Innovators Application.

Format and Length:

Please type your responses to the two essay topics, in a single-spaced word document using 12-point Times New Roman font.

Please write the following as the heading on your first page of essays:

Corio Aspiring Innovators Application

Type your full name, address, and date at the top of the page, before you begin the essays. Feel free to create a title for each essay.

We expect each essay to be between 500-800 words. More is not always better, but less may not be enough to fully address your topic!

Essay 1

Introduce yourself and tell us what we should know about you.

Examples of what you might choose to focus on could include one of the following:

  1. An experience from childhood that shaped who you are
  2. The story of your journey as a student over the years
  3. A significant challenge or challenges you have overcome (or are working on)
  4. A personal goal you have, and how this goal came about from your life experiences

Please choose one of the options above or one of your own creation; do not try to cover the entire list of suggestions. Write as if you are speaking directly to one person. This is a narrative essay.

Essay 2

Write about an invention that you believe has had a significant impact on people’s lives. Feel free to reach as far back in time as you like to find an invention to write about.

In your essay, make sure to include the following:

  1. What is the invention?
  2. What problems does the invention solve? Why does this matter?
  3. What importance does this invention have in your life?
  4. Optional: how would you improve this invention?

This essay is about your ideas and how you think. This is an expository essay.

“The big thing is to find something you believe in and persevere at it. That’s what it comes down to, to get this kind of success – believe in what you do and stick with it.”

Ron Corio, US News Article

MIND SCHOLARSHIPS RECOGNIZE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT 

Academic Achievement Award: Scholarships awarded based on students’ exceptional performance academically. Student demonstrates high grades (3s and 4s at the elementary level, a high GPA at the middle/upper school level) coupled with demonstrated high performance in tests (NWEA, Star, IStation, NAEP, PSAT/SAT, ACT).  

  • Application for Admission
  • Application for Financial Grant & Aid
  • Academic records
  • Standardized Test Scores
  • Honor Roll Letters
  • Gifted IEPs

Academic Competition Award: Scholarships awarded based on students’ participation and achievements in regional or national academic competitions, such as spelling bees, essay-writing competitions, geography bees, or science or math Olympiads.  

  • Application for Admission
  • Application for Financial Grant & Aid
  • Academic records
  • Standardized Test Scores
  • Records or certificates gained from participation

Leadership in Academic Organizations: Scholarships awarded to students who have held leadership positions in academic organizations, such as serving as the president of an established math club, chess club, or a debate team captain. This would need to be verified by a current teacher/coach.  

  • Application for Admission
  • Application for Financial Grant & Aid
  • Academic records
  • Standardized Test Scores
  • Letters of recommendation from a teacher or coach which outlines the leadership position and activity.  

BODY SCHOLARSHIPS RECOGNIZE STRONG HEALTH HABITS  

Athletic Accomplishment Award: Scholarships based on students’ outstanding achievements in external athletic competitions, such as winning championships, earning All-State recognition, meaningful titles, or setting records in their respective sports.

  • Application for Admission
  • Application for Financial Grant & Aid
  • Academic records
  • Standardized Test Scores
  • Evidence of awards and/or trophies
  • Certificates of Achievement
  • Records testifying to special athletic achievement

Athletic Martial Arts or Dance Competitions: Scholarships based on students’ accomplishments in martial arts or dance competitions, highlighting their skill, technique, and dedication in these disciplines. Participation and success at the competitive level is the key aspect which would be measured, not simply study/practice.  

  • Application for Admission
  • Application for Financial Grant & Aid
  • Academic records
  • Standardized Test Scores
  • Records or certificates gained from participating or placing

Leadership in Sports: Scholarships tied to student’s demonstration of exceptional sportsmanship and leadership qualities in external sports events or tournaments, as formally recognized by coaches, officials, or other athletes. Being the captain of a junior varsity, varsity, or competitive club team would also qualify.  

  • Application for Admission
  • Application for Financial Grant & Aid
  • Academic records
  • Standardized Test Scores
  • Letters of recommendation from a teacher or coach which outlines the leadership position and activity

SPIRIT SCHOLARSHIPS RECOGNIZE COMMUNITY AND CHARACTER  

Community Service Awards: Scholarships awarded based on students’ recognition for their significant contributions to community service organizations or initiatives.  

  • Application for Admission
  • Application for Financial Grant & Aid
  • Academic records
  • Standardized Test Scores
  • Records of hours served
  • Letters of recommendation from an established community organization or non-profit
  • Awards, certificates, evidence of impact of work.  

Character Awards: Scholarships tied to students’ letters of recommendation highlighting their outstanding character, integrity, and ethical values from formal external sources, such as elected, community, or religious leaders.  

  • Application for Admission
  • Application for Financial Grant & Aid
  • Academic records
  • Standardized Test Scores
  • Letters of recommendation from an established community member in a formal role

Vocal Achievement Awards: Scholarships tied to students’ musical achievements, such as participation in regional or state-level vocal competitions, demonstrated history of performances in concerts or recitals, or recognition through awards and honors received for their vocal abilities.  

  • Application for Admission
  • Application for Financial Grant & Aid
  • Academic records
  • Standardized Test Scores
  • Awards and honors
  • Participation in regional, state, or other choral competitions

Art and Music Awards: Scholarships given for students’ exemplary skill in music or arts.  

  • Application for Admission
  • Application for Financial Grant & Aid
  • Academic records
  • Standardized Test Scores
  • Portfolio of works, recordings, or performances
  • Letters of Recommendation from teachers, instructors, or mentors

World Smart Awards: Scholarships can be based on students’ demonstration of World Smart values such as proficient multilingualism/long-term structured study of a foreign language, or participation in international exchange programs or cultural immersion experiences.  

  • Application for Admission
  • Application for Financial Grant & Aid
  • Academic records
  • Demonstration of multilingualism
  • evidence of significant international travel or living
  • cultural exchange programs  

Menaul Alumni Awards: The Menaul Alumni Award represents the profound bond between generations of Menaul alumni and recognizes the important contributions made by the relatives of these esteemed individuals. It highlights that the Menaul School spirit is often transmitted through generations of those whose lives were indelibly shaped by their experiences at Menaul School.  

  • Application for Admission
  • Application for Financial Grant & Aid
  • Academic records
  • Explanation or evidence of familial relationship with a Menaul School graduate

There are a limited number of local scholarships to be aware of, which are not associated with Menaul School specifically. We encourage you to explore.

MENAUL SCHOOL CORIO SCHOLAR

“My favorite place on campus is our track, particularly during sunrise or sunset and on the ten-meter mark. This spot has the best view of the mountains that I have encountered. Since my passion is running, this spot is perfect for gathering my thoughts and taking a minute to enjoy what makes me happy.”

“I wouldn’t change my experiences at Menaul for anything.”

Mikayla S.

MENAUL SCHOOL CORIO SCHOLAR

“My favorite place is the commons because that is where we play at lunch or before school starts. Religion is becoming my favorite because I am interested in learning about different cultures.”

Micah J.

Have questions? Please contact Yesenia Perez Gonzalez, yperezgonzalez@menaulschool.org