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Explore Academy

Q: Is Explore Academy a good school?

Explore Academy ranks 60 th of 345 New Mexico alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public, Charter, Alternative Grades K-12

60^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 345 New Mexico Alternative Schools

Better than 83% of New Mexico alternative schools

Summary

Explore Academy is an alternative public charter school in Albuquerque, New Mexico, serving 1,354 students in grades K-12. This unique educational institution consistently outperforms the state average in academic proficiency across subjects, with particularly strong results in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, Explore Academy's proficiency rates in ELA (58.05%) and Math (43.27%) were significantly higher than the state averages of 44.19% and 26.81%, respectively. Additionally, the school's 11th-grade students demonstrated exceptional performance, with 80.72% proficient or better in Science and 80.95% proficient or better in SAT English Language Arts, compared to the state averages of 41.69% and 38.44%.

Explore Academy's strong academic outcomes are complemented by a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 11.6 to 13 students per teacher, which is lower than nearby schools like Manzano High (13.9) and Eldorado High (16.2). Additionally, the school's four-year graduation rate, ranging from 75% to 83.5% over the past few years, is on par with or slightly higher than the nearby schools.

While Explore Academy's performance is impressive, it is important to consider the school's context within the broader educational landscape. The Albuquerque Public Schools district, which Explore Academy is a part of, is ranked 54th out of 82 districts in New Mexico and is rated 2 stars out of 5 by SchoolDigger. This suggests that Explore Academy's strong academic results may be in contrast to the overall performance of the district it is located in, highlighting the school's unique approach and success in providing an alternative learning environment for its students.

1,413

Students ?

12.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$8,648

Per pupil spending ?

25.8%

Free/discounted lunch ?

5100 Masthead St NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109

(505) 305-5300

District: Explore Academy

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

47.7%

White:

32.6%

Two or more races:

15.9%

See top rated New Mexico elementary schools

Compare Explore Academy to nearby alternative schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 91st percentile in 2022 → 96th in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the New Mexico average (53% vs 34% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 17% of New Mexico alternative schools

✓92% graduate in 4 years — above the New Mexico average (81%)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school53%

District avg53%

New Mexico avg34%

Elementary school

60^th of 345

New Mexico public elementary schools ?

Top 17%▼ down 9 pts since 2022

From top 9% (2022) to top 17% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of New Mexico Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

36^th of 192

New Mexico public middle schools ?

Top 19%▼ down 8 pts since 2019

From top 10% (2019) to top 19% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of New Mexico Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

5^th of 131

New Mexico public high schools ?

Top 4%▲ up 6 pts since 2017

From top 10% (2017) to top 4% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of New Mexico High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2025	73.9	60 of 345	82.6%	★★★★☆
2023	90.9	44 of 435	89.9%	★★★★★
2022	88.2	36 of 420	91.4%	★★★★★

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2023	65.1	15 of 34	55.9%	★★★☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2023	83.5	6 of 24	75.0%	★★★★☆
2022	75.1	6 of 40	85.0%	★★★★☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2023	29.1	167 of 191	12.6%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2023	89.1	47 of 390	87.9%	★★★★☆
2022	87.4	25 of 395	93.7%	★★★★★

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2025	73.8	44 of 255	82.7%	★★★★☆
2023	89.8	43 of 395	89.1%	★★★★☆
2022	92.0	18 of 389	95.4%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2025	55.4	112 of 325	65.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	59.2	166 of 426	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	67.8	68 of 410	83.4%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2023	89.4	48 of 414	88.4%	★★★★☆
2022	81.6	37 of 392	90.6%	★★★★★

Military Connected

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2022	75.1	6 of 50	88.0%	★★★★☆

Native American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2023	78.6	20 of 92	78.3%	★★★★☆
2022	65.6	27 of 99	72.7%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2023	68.6	47 of 165	71.5%	★★★★☆
2022	43.6	77 of 132	41.7%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2025	69.0	71 of 304	76.6%	★★★★☆
2023	88.1	52 of 413	87.4%	★★★★☆
2022	57.2	119 of 325	63.4%	★★★☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2025	78.0	36 of 192	81.3%	★★★★☆
2023	90.9	23 of 239	90.4%	★★★★★
2022	80.6	31 of 232	86.6%	★★★★☆
2019	84.6	21 of 200	89.5%	★★★★☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2023	65.1	11 of 38	71.1%	★★★★☆
2022	37.4	38 of 55	30.9%	★★☆☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2023	83.5	4 of 31	87.1%	★★★★★
2022	62.3	10 of 37	73.0%	★★★★☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2023	29.1	47 of 97	51.5%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2023	89.1	26 of 213	87.8%	★★★★☆
2022	76.2	34 of 220	84.5%	★★★★☆
2019	75.3	25 of 160	84.4%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2025	69.4	30 of 148	79.7%	★★★★☆
2023	89.8	20 of 204	90.2%	★★★★★
2022	59.4	52 of 214	75.7%	★★★★☆
2019	84.6	14 of 150	90.7%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2025	57.2	51 of 173	70.5%	★★★★☆
2023	59.2	74 of 227	67.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	59.8	54 of 223	75.8%	★★★★☆
2019	69.4	34 of 175	80.6%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2023	89.4	25 of 221	88.7%	★★★★☆
2022	78.4	32 of 213	85.0%	★★★★☆
2019	91.3	9 of 152	94.1%	★★★★★

Military Connected

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2022	57.6	15 of 37	59.5%	★★★☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2025	62.3	5 of 15	66.7%	★★★★☆

Native American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2023	78.6	12 of 58	79.3%	★★★★☆
2022	45.1	28 of 67	58.2%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2025	78.3	3 of 12	75.0%	★★★★☆
2023	68.6	21 of 100	79.0%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2025	75.7	36 of 178	79.8%	★★★★☆
2023	88.1	25 of 229	89.1%	★★★★☆
2022	78.5	26 of 187	86.1%	★★★★☆
2019	78.6	14 of 121	88.4%	★★★★☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2025	96.9	5 of 131	96.2%	★★★★★
2024	85.7	20 of 172	88.4%	★★★★☆
2023	90.9	16 of 170	90.6%	★★★★★
2022	94.7	12 of 177	93.2%	★★★★★
2019	96.7	4 of 181	97.8%	★★★★★
2018	94.0	8 of 182	95.6%	★★★★★
2017	89.2	16 of 158	89.9%	★★★★★

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2024	26.2	12 of 14	14.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	65.1	3 of 18	83.3%	★★★★☆
2022	83.3	2 of 24	91.7%	★★★★★

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2024	74.0	3 of 13	76.9%	★★★★☆
2023	83.5	4 of 14	71.4%	★★★★☆
2022	39.8	20 of 31	35.5%	★★☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2024	20.8	32 of 42	23.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	29.1	19 of 29	34.5%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2024	80.7	28 of 142	80.3%	★★★★☆
2023	89.1	16 of 143	88.8%	★★★★☆
2022	89.8	15 of 157	90.4%	★★★★★
2019	97.1	4 of 144	97.2%	★★★★★
2018	91.9	6 of 145	95.9%	★★★★★

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2025	97.4	3 of 98	96.9%	★★★★★
2024	79.2	22 of 136	83.8%	★★★★☆
2023	89.8	14 of 132	89.4%	★★★★★
2022	93.7	7 of 150	95.3%	★★★★★
2019	93.9	8 of 139	94.2%	★★★★★
2018	96.1	2 of 133	98.5%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2025	92.7	9 of 115	92.2%	★★★★★
2024	76.5	19 of 127	85.0%	★★★★☆
2023	59.2	44 of 157	72.0%	★★★★☆
2019	95.9	6 of 161	96.3%	★★★★★
2018	99.5	2 of 164	98.8%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2024	86.4	18 of 150	88.0%	★★★★☆
2023	89.4	17 of 146	88.4%	★★★★☆
2022	94.0	12 of 159	92.5%	★★★★★
2019	94.2	9 of 151	94.0%	★★★★★
2018	92.7	8 of 143	94.4%	★★★★★

Military Connected

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2022	61.2	10 of 24	58.3%	★★★☆☆

Native American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2024	92.5	5 of 37	86.5%	★★★★☆
2023	78.6	6 of 42	85.7%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2023	68.6	9 of 38	76.3%	★★★★☆
2022	69.0	18 of 58	69.0%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2025	96.2	6 of 117	94.9%	★★★★★
2024	73.6	31 of 136	77.2%	★★★★☆
2023	88.1	20 of 157	87.3%	★★★★☆
2022	86.3	11 of 133	91.7%	★★★★★
2019	94.1	4 of 109	96.3%	★★★★★
2018	84.9	9 of 115	92.2%	★★★★★

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

Male (2023)88th percentile~ school

Military Connected (2022)88th percentile-3 vs school

Female (2023)88th percentile~ school

Hispanic (2025)83rd percentile~ school

Native American (2023)78th percentile-12 vs school

White (2025)77th percentile-6 vs school

Asian (2023)75th percentile-15 vs school

Special Education (2023)72nd percentile-18 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)66th percentile-17 vs school

African American (2023)56th percentile-34 vs school

English Language Learner (2023)13th percentile-77 vs school

Middle school

Male (2023)89th percentile~ school

Female (2023)88th percentile-3 vs school

Asian (2023)87th percentile-3 vs school

White (2025)80th percentile~ school

Hispanic (2025)80th percentile~ school

Native American (2023)79th percentile-11 vs school

Special Education (2025)75th percentile-6 vs school

African American (2023)71st percentile-19 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)71st percentile-11 vs school

Multi-racial (2025)67th percentile-15 vs school

Military Connected (2022)59th percentile-27 vs school

English Language Learner (2023)52nd percentile-39 vs school

High school

Hispanic (2025)97th percentile~ school

White (2025)95th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)92nd percentile-4 vs school

Male (2024)88th percentile~ school

Native American (2024)86th percentile~ school

Female (2024)80th percentile-8 vs school

Asian (2024)77th percentile-11 vs school

Special Education (2023)76th percentile-14 vs school

Military Connected (2022)58th percentile-35 vs school

English Language Learner (2024)24th percentile-65 vs school

African American (2024)14th percentile-74 vs school

By subject vs New Mexico (2024-2025) ?

Science61%+26 vs state

English Language Arts58%+14 vs state

Mathematics43%+16 vs state

3.8

4 ratings · 3 written reviews

5★2

4★1

3★0

2★0

1★1

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What people are saying

by a parent
Friday, December 11, 2020

Amazing teaching staff! Students have such interesting course options and grades really show mastery. Close Quote

by a parent
Tuesday, June 23, 2020

The curriculum is very attractive and enjoyable for teens! The concept of academic flavors and studying things with different themes —I love it! MY teen had a great brain stretching Education! Close Quote

by a student
Wednesday, September 25, 2019

i would rate half a star but there is no option Close Quote

Schools Near Explore Academy

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking ()				Ranking ()				SAT School Day English Language Arts (2025)	SAT School Day Mathematics (2025)	NM-ASR Science (2025)				NM-MSSA English Language Arts (2025)							NM-MSSA Mathematics (2025)							Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	Rank Change from Previous Year	SAT School Day English Language Arts 11th Grade	SAT School Day Mathematics 11th Grade	NM-ASR Science 5th Grade	NM-ASR Science 8th Grade	NM-ASR Science 11th Grade	NM-ASR Science All Grades	NM-MSSA English Language Arts 3rd Grade	NM-MSSA English Language Arts 4th Grade	NM-MSSA English Language Arts 5th Grade	NM-MSSA English Language Arts 6th Grade	NM-MSSA English Language Arts 7th Grade	NM-MSSA English Language Arts 8th Grade	NM-MSSA English Language Arts All Grades	NM-MSSA Mathematics 3rd Grade	NM-MSSA Mathematics 4th Grade	NM-MSSA Mathematics 5th Grade	NM-MSSA Mathematics 6th Grade	NM-MSSA Mathematics 7th Grade	NM-MSSA Mathematics 8th Grade	NM-MSSA Mathematics All Grades	Total
Explore Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	5100 Masthead St NE	Albuquerque	87109	Bernalillo County	Explore Academy	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(505) 305-5300	1,413	115	12.2	25.8%	460 (32.6%)	32 (2.3%)	674 (47.7%)	12 (0.8%)	9 (0.6%)	1 (0.1%)	225 (15.9%)								(n/a)	81.0	46.4	52.1	55.2	80.7	61.0	50.7	65.2	54.3	56.9	58.1	60.9	58.1	30.4	37.9	51.4	52.7	44.5	35.6	43.3	$8,648
Corrales International	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	5500 Wilshire Ave. NE	Albuquerque	87113	Bernalillo County	Albuquerque	Yes	(n/a)	No	No	(505) 344-9733	232	19	12.4	38.4%	47 (20.3%)	6 (2.6%)	157 (67.7%)	4 (1.7%)	2 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (6.9%)								(n/a)						23.3	59.1	62.5	36.4	47.4		47.1	45.2	31.8			36.8			23.0	$10,091
Aces Technical Charter School	Public, Charter, Alternative	PK, KG-10	4501 Montgomery Blvd NE	Albuquerque	87109	Bernalillo County	Aces Technical Charter School	Yes	(n/a)	No	No	(505) 506-1186	165	14	11.7	100.0%	15 (9.1%)	12 (7.3%)	105 (63.6%)	2 (1.2%)	8 (4.8%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (13.9%)								(n/a)						22.6			53.9	37.5	58.3		38.7							13.5
Continuation School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	5100 2nd St NW	Albuquerque	87106	Bernalillo County	Albuquerque	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(505) 468-7284	5	2	2.5		0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)
Eldorado High	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	11300 Montgomery Blvd NE	Albuquerque	87111	Bernalillo County	Albuquerque	No	(n/a)	No	No	(505) 296-4871	1,579	108	14.5	99.7%	586 (37.1%)	31 (2.0%)	716 (45.3%)	48 (3.0%)	79 (5.0%)	4 (0.3%)	115 (7.3%)								(n/a)	63.1	31.9			60.1																$8,544
Unm Mimbres School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	1001 Yale Blvd NE	Albuquerque	87106	Bernalillo County	Unm Mimbres School	No	(n/a)	No	No	(505) 272-2890	23	12	1.9		4 (17.4%)	1 (4.3%)	12 (52.2%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (13.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (13.0%)								(n/a)
Native American Community Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	1000 Indian School Rd	Albuquerque	87104	Bernalillo County	Albuquerque	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(505) 266-0992	428	58	7.3	88.8%	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	56 (13.1%)	0 (0.0%)	324 (75.7%)	0 (0.0%)	47 (11.0%)								(n/a)	33.3			42.1	44.7	36.7		42.9		40.5	36.2	35.9	34.2				19.1	14.9		10.9	$11,132
Highland Autism Center	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	220 Monroe SW	Albuquerque	87108	Bernalillo County	Albuquerque	No	(n/a)	No	No	(505) 266-6869	15	11	1.3	20.0%	2 (13.3%)	2 (13.3%)	7 (46.7%)	1 (6.7%)	1 (6.7%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (13.3%)								(n/a)
Abq Sign Language Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	620 Lomas Blvd NW	Albuquerque	87102	Bernalillo County	Abq Sign Language Academy	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(505) 244-7553	160	19	8.2	100.0%	35 (21.9%)	6 (3.8%)	97 (60.6%)	5 (3.1%)	7 (4.4%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (6.3%)								(n/a)													29.9								$26,954
Manzano High	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	12200 Lomas Blvd NE	Albuquerque	87112	Bernalillo County	Albuquerque	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(505) 559-2200	1,157	90	12.8	95.2%	200 (17.3%)	45 (3.9%)	721 (62.3%)	44 (3.8%)	91 (7.9%)	3 (0.3%)	53 (4.6%)								(n/a)	37.0	5.3			30.8																$9,622

Frequently Asked Questions about Explore Academy

How many students attend Explore Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,413 students attended Explore Academy.

What is the racial makeup of Explore Academy?

Students at Explore Academy are 48% Hispanic, 33% White, 16% Two or more races, 2% African American.

What district is Explore Academy in?

Explore Academy

Is Explore Academy a good school?

Explore Academy ranks 60^th of 345 New Mexico alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Rate Explore Academy!

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the New Mexico Public Education Department.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.