APS instructional calendars approved for next two school years

As the old saying goes: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

On Wednesday, the Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education approved the instructional calendars for the next two school years following feedback from families, nearly 80% of whom said in a survey earlier this year that they want a calendar similar to the current school year.

The approvals also included the calendars for APS’ college and career high schools, which are aligned with Central New Mexico Community College.

The six board members present during Wednesday’s meeting voted unanimously on the calendars. Board member Janelle Astorga was absent.

Board member Courtney Jackson said during the meeting that she knows “the calendar has always been a challenge,” but she thanked her fellow board members and administration for listening to community members for feedback.

With the vote in, the 180-day school year calendar is approved, but could change if the New Mexico Public Education Department makes changes if needed, board members told the Journal after the meeting.

During both upcoming school years at APS, Aug. 7 would be the first day of school for first through 12th graders, while Aug. 11 would be the first day of school for pre-K and kindergarten students, according to copies of the calendar presented on the board’s website.

College and career high school students would start on Aug. 18 in both upcoming school years, the board’s website said. Aug. 17 would be the start date for those students during the 2026-27 school year.

The October 2024 survey garnered 12,936 total respondents, 6,800 of whom were APS parents.

For both of the upcoming school years, 78% of all respondents favored an early August start, while only 22% favored the other option, a late August start, according to a copy of the survey found on the board’s website. This school year, Aug. 1 was the first day for teachers and staff and Aug. 7 was the first day for students.

Among the groups surveyed, students seemed most enthusiastic about an early August start, with 85% of them favoring that option compared to 15% favoring a late August start.

This was not the first time in 2024 that APS adjusted a school year calendar. In February, APS officials adjusted it for March of the 2023-24 school year amid concerns from middle school educators that it would have caused low attendance. Around that time, families voiced concerns about APS’ many fractured weeks.