NMSA News:
The New Mexico School for the Arts (NMSA) has just received its third consecutive “A” grade from the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED), recognizing NMSA’s academic excellence during the 2013-2014 school year.
The NMPED overall annual grade is based on a composite of scores in Reading and Math Proficiency, College Readiness, Opportunities to Learn, and Graduation.
“These ‘A’ grades are due to the blend of faculty dedication and student motivation that characterizes the school culture of NMSA – I know that everyone here who works to recreate that culture on a daily basis is pleased to see their efforts recognized in this way,” said Cindy Montoya, NMSA Head of School.
Additional NMSA achievements during the last school year include being designated as an “Exemplary School” from the Art Schools Network, more than $5 million in scholarships, and financial assistance offers for seniors who were accepted at schools such as New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, Oberlin College, Sarah Lawrence College, the Rhode Island School of Design, the Berkley College of Music, and the School of the Arts Institute of Chicago.
“Seeing results like these inspires us all to work ever harder to ensure that our wonderful school has the resources it needs to continue serving talented youth in New Mexico,” said Riis Gonzales, director of the NMSA-Art Institute.
The new, incoming Board Chair of NMSA-AI, Ned Bennett (who, with his wife, Sandy Zane, owns the renowned Zane Bennett Contemporary Art in the Railyard district), stated, “NMSA is a community whose members are bound by respect for learning, something evident in this new ‘A’ grade – I am very proud to be part of and serve that community!”
“I am delighted to see NMSA recognized again for the quality of the educational opportunities it offers to New Mexico’s youth,” said Sherry Thompson, formerly of the Thaw Charitable Trust, who has just assumed leadership of the school’s Governing Council.
NMSA will open for the new school year Aug. 11 and information about the new application cycle can be found at www.NMSchoolForTheArts.org.