Best High Schools in Albuquerque, NM

The city of Albuquerque, New Mexico is home to 44 high schools that vary in size, performance, and student demographics. The schools include a mix of public, public charter, and specialized high schools serving grades 9-12. While the overall four-year graduation rate across the district is 78%, which matches the state average, there are stark contrasts in academic achievement between the highest and lowest-performing schools.

Some of the standout schools in Albuquerque include Cottonwood Classical Prep, a public charter school that ranks 1st out of 131 New Mexico high schools and boasts over 80% proficiency in English Language Arts and Mathematics. Another top performer is Albuquerque Institute of Math & Science, a public charter school that ranks 1st out of 172 New Mexico high schools with over 90% proficiency in ELA and 85% in Math. In contrast, schools like Rio Grande High and Highland High have under 30% proficiency on state assessments.

The data also reveals that several of the highest-performing schools in Albuquerque are public charter schools, suggesting the charter school model can be effective in improving educational outcomes. However, the wide range in free/reduced lunch rates, from 3.23% at Albuquerque Institute of Math & Science to over 100% at Albuquerque High, indicates that socioeconomic challenges are a significant barrier to student success across the district.