The state Public Education Commission approved 11 charter school applications this week, and rejected another 10.
Of those approved, five will be in Albuquerque, two in Española, and one each in Peñasco, Gallup, Las Cruces and Moriarty.
The approved schools are:
• Coral Community School in Albuquerque, a K-6 school that will offer single-gender classes. One of its founders is Donna Eldredge, who helped found 21st Century Public Academy charter more than a decade ago and has been that school’s principal ever since.
• Southwest Aeronautics, Mathematics and Science Academy in Albuquerque, a 7-12 school that will be on the West Side and has the same founder as the popular Southwest Learning Centers. The school will offer aviation opportunities and replicate some practices of SLC.
• Sage Montessori Charter School in Albuquerque, a K-8 school that will follow the Montessori model of education. It is set to be in the Northeast Heights, near Interstate 25 and Paseo del Norte.
• Mission Achievement and Success Charter School in Albuquerque, a 6-12 school that will emphasize small classes and a nurturing environment.
• William W. & Josephine Dorn Charter Community School in Albuquerque, an elementary school that will have some focus on nature and urban gardening. It is set to be on Edith SE, north of Avenida Caesar Chavez.
• McCurdy Charter School in Española, a K-12 school that will use Socratic seminar methods for its high school students.
• La Tierra Montessori School of the Arts and Sciences in Española, a K-8 school following the Montessori style of education.
• La Jicarita Community School in Peñasco, a K-6 school that will use project-based and service learning as part of its curriculum.
• Uplift Community School in Gallup, a K-8 school that will emphasize project-based learning.
• New America School of Las Cruces, a high school that will seek to serve immigrants and English language learners.
• Estancia Valley Classical Academy in Moriarty, a K-12 school that will use Singapore math and will require seniors to complete a thesis paper.
The charters not accepted were: Ray of Hope Charter School (Albuquerque); The Baldrige Academy (Albuquerque); Truly Educated (Albuquerque); The Electus Academy (Albuquerque); Pursuit Academy (Albuquerque); Columbus Community School; The GREAT Academy (Las Cruces); Starshine Academy Santa Fe School; Santa Fe Trail Middle School; and Technology in Humanities, Media and Service Charter School (Taos).
— This article appeared on page C1 of the Albuquerque Journal
