The top reported proficiency rate is 67% in English language arts. The lowest is 53% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Abq School of Excellence
ABQ School of Excellence is a single-school charter district in Albuquerque, New Mexico, serving students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. It operates as one school under one district umbrella, which is common for charter entities in the state. The enrollment is mid-sized for a K-12 charter, with a grade distribution that runs fairly evenly through the elementary and middle grades and then narrows in high school. The upper grades are noticeably smaller, which is typical of charter schools that add high school grades over time as earlier cohorts advance.
The student body is ethnically mixed. Hispanic students make up the largest share, followed closely by White students, with smaller Asian, Black, American Indian, and multiracial populations also present. This composition reflects the broader Albuquerque area more than many specialized charters do, where a single group often dominates. Information on free or reduced-price lunch eligibility was not available in the data we received, so we cannot characterize the economic makeup of the student population. Data on students with individualized education programs and English learners was also missing, and those gaps are worth being aware of when considering how the school supports specialized populations.
Academically, the school's state assessment results for grades three through eight are a clear strength. In English language arts, a substantial majority of tested students scored proficient or above. Math proficiency was also strong, with more than half of tested students reaching proficiency. Science results, tested in fewer grades, landed around the halfway mark. Across all three subjects, these proficiency rates sit well above what is typical for New Mexico schools. Publicly reported sources identify the school as a 2022 National Blue Ribbon School, a recognition tied to consistently strong academic performance, and the state assessment data here is consistent with that distinction.
The school's charter contract was renewed for a five-year term running through 2025, according to publicly reported records from the New Mexico Public Education Department. That renewal provides some assurance of operational continuity for families considering enrollment, though the current contract period is approaching its end and a parent may want to look into the renewal timeline with the school directly.
Several categories of information that parents often weigh were not available in the data provided. There is no graduation rate, which is relevant for families looking at the high school grades. There is no data on advanced coursework, dual-credit partnerships, career pathways, or other program offerings. Staffing ratios, discipline data, attendance rates, and civil-rights indicators were also absent. Housing values, rents, and broader community context for the surrounding area were not included, so we cannot speak to the residential market or neighborhood setting here. The school's Title I status, magnet status, and specific governance details beyond its charter identity were not reported.
What the available evidence does show is a K-12 charter school with a diverse student body and strong state assessment results in the elementary and middle grades, recognized at the national level for that performance. Families considering the upper grades would benefit from asking the school directly about graduation outcomes, course offerings, and how the smaller high school cohort shapes the academic and social experience.
See more original research from School Decision →