Charter school pioneers at an interview filmed in June at Media Arts Collaborative Charter School. Courtesy/PED

PED News:

SANTA FE – Class sizes often are small. Students can immerse themselves in environments that cater to their interests. Innovation abounds.

This year, the charter school movement in New Mexico turns 30, as 1993 was the year the charter school law was enacted. The annual charter school conference takes place Monday-Wednesday in the Albuquerque area to celebrate the journey, success stories and collaboration.

There are about 100 charter schools in New Mexico, with most overseen by the Public Education Commission and others under the authorization of school districts.

In August 1994, Turquoise Trail Charter School opened its doors to elementary-age students. It expanded to welcome middle schoolers in 2018.

“As the oldest state charter school, generations of New Mexicans built their educational foundation at Turquoise Trail Charter School,” Head Administrator Stephanie Behning said. “We are dedicated to providing students with a hands-on approach to learning through arts integration and bilingualism that fosters a creative and innovative mindset.”

Centered in the Santa Fe Art community, students can better understand how innovation infuses every subject, Behning added.

Its focus on individuality is a common theme in the charter school landscape. 

“One size does not fit all,” Michael Kaplan said, who helped get the first charter schools up and running and is the current chair of Santa Fe’s New Mexico School for the Arts governance council. “We have had to think outside the box to create our future. There are other ways to learn.”

He was among a group of charter school pioneers who participated in an interview filmed in June at Albuquerque’s Media Arts Collaborative Charter School. It will debut at the conference next week.
Raphael “Rafe” Martinez, executive director of the Albuquerque Sign Language Academy, shared the story of his eldest son, who is deaf and was the impetus for his charter school.

“All kids deserve a place to learn,” he said. “When you get your key to open your school, you owe it to students to serve their needs.”

Today his adult son is “flourishing,” he shared, adding that individualized learning can make all the difference in the world for learners.

PED Secretary Arsenio Romero will address those at the charter school conference on Tuesday morning.

“Charter schools are making a difference for our students, offering them safe places to explore their passions in unique settings,” he said. “These schools will continue to be incubators for innovation. Let’s acknowledge and celebrate them.”

For more information about New Mexico’s charter schools, click here.