ACADEMICS / PRIVATE EDUCATION

Approximately 13 percent of Albuquerque children attend private schools that are either parochial or independent. Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish day schools combine with nondenominational and college-prep academies for a full range of educational alternatives. The New Mexico Public Education Department maintains an Alternative Education Unit that provides a list of private schools within the state and offers information on accreditation. For schools affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, the best source of information is the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. The following resources will be helpful in exploring the options for private education in Metropolitan Albuquerque:

Alternative Education Unit
Public Education Department
505-827-5800
https://webnew.ped.state.nm.us

Archdiocese of Santa Fe
Roman Catholic Schools
4000 Saint Joseph’s Place NW
Albuquerque 505-831-8172
https://archdiosf.org/catholic-schools

National Association of Independent Schools
Washington, D.C.
202-973-9700
www.nais.org

National Association of Private, Catholic & Independent Schools
Sacramento, CA
916-451-4963
www.napcis.org

 

Educational Alternatives
New Mexico offers a wide range of alternatives to the traditional classroom and attendance schedules. The Alternative Education Unit is responsible for the rules and regulations that govern charter schools but also provides information and technical assistance to parents, community members, schools, and district personnel on alternative schools, charter schools, home schools, family schools, non-public or private schools, and the four-day school week. For more information on any of these programs, contact:

Alternative Education Unit
505-827-5800
https://webnew.ped.state.nm.us

Charter Schools
Characterized as public schools that operate more independently in many educational respects than traditional schools, charter schools are developed by one or more parents, teachers, or community members. These schools are authorized by the local school board to provide an alternative educational setting to parents and students in the public school system. Charter schools provide an opportunity to create new, innovative, and more flexible ways of educating children. For more information on charter schools that may be available close to home, contact:

Alternative Education Unit
Charter Schools
505-827-6909
https://webnew.ped.state.nm.us/bureaus/charter-schools

Home Schooling & Family Schools
New Mexico requires the home school operator to be the parent or legal guardian of the child and to have a high-school diploma or its equivalent. This person must also maintain a calendar that verifies schooling at least 180 days each year. The operator has to notify the secretary of education in writing within 30 days of establishing the home school. Home schooling is not considered accredited by the New Mexico Public Education Department but residents are able to continue home schooling indefinitely with annual renewals.

Family Schools offer a unique educational approach where students receive more than half-time instruction in the public schools and the remaining time in home-based parental instruction. The school site program is usually multi-grade with a focus on the core content areas. Family schools must receive approval to operate from local and state school boards. Students in a family school are considered public school students and can graduate with the school. For more information, contact:

Home Schooling
505-827-6909
https://webnew.ped.state.nm.us/bureaus/options-parents-families/home-schools