NMSA News:

SANTA FE – New Mexico School for the Arts (NMSA) state charter school launches its fourth year Aug. 12 with the largest student body to date: 212 students representing 37 communities throughout New Mexico.

This year, 70 new students will attend NMSA, coming from as far north as Taos and as far south as Las Cruces. The school experienced a surge in inquires and applications this school year from students wanting to attend NMSA.

“New Mexico School for the Arts is an extraordinary opportunity for young New Mexican artists. We are so grateful to our elected delegation and to our donors for supporting these talented students,” NMSA-Art Institute Director, Riis Gonzales said. “Word is getting out [about the school] and we’re expanding as much as we can to meet the demand.”

NMSA recently earned an A grade for the second year in a row from the Public Education Department. Even before the school year begins, NMSA students have been recognized for excellence. The NMSA Chamber Singers have been selected to represent the state of New Mexico as the 2013-2014 All State Honor Choir at this year’s All State Music Festival and In-Service Conference.

New Mexico School for the Arts, Art Institute and Charter School assists passionate young artists in developing their full potential through a rigorous mastery arts and academic education.

NMSA is a public/private partnership comprised of the NMSA-Art Institute, a nonprofit art educational institution, and NMSA-Charter School, a New Mexico state charter high school. NMSA’s purpose is to provide the highest standards of excellence in preparing New Mexico’s artistically talented students to compete in the national arena for post-secondary education and/or professional careers in the arts. NMSA offers pre-professional instruction in the performing and visual arts with rigorous academics leading to a high school diploma. NMSA is located in the former St. Francis Cathedral School, 275 East Alameda in Santa Fe. For more information, visit: www.NMSchoolForTheArts.org.