Charter school selected for providing high-quality educational opportunities for 25 years
By Michael Hodock
This week, East Mountain High School is one of two New Mexico charter schools selected out of 19 eligible applicants to receive a $1.5 million grant from Public Charter Schools of New Mexico (PCSNM).
According to a press release from PCSNM, the grant money can be used to expand existing high-quality charter school programs that have demonstrated improved student achievement, especially for educationally disadvantaged students, or to open new schools based on models that have proven successful in the past. Solare Collegiate Charter School in southwest Albuquerque was also awarded a grant.
“We are grateful and energized by this opportunity to deepen our impact in the community,” EMHS Executive Director Trey Smith said. “This grant will allow us to create a seamless 6-12 education pathway on par with some of the best schools in the nation and world.”
According to the press release, in 2023, the U.S. Department of Education awarded PCSNM a 5-year $52 million Charter School Program grant to help improve or expand high-achieving charter schools in New Mexico. Schools can apply for PCSNM funding through a competitive process, and applications are scored by a panel of at least three peer reviewers chosen for their “varying degrees of charter school expertise, policy knowledge, and experience in curriculum development and implementation.”
“PCSNM’s investment in East Mountain High School and Solare Collegiate Charter School underscores its commitment to strengthening the state’s public school system by increasing options for families,” PCSNM Board President Erik Bose said. “Without this funding
it would be incredibly challenging for charter schools to access the resources needed to serve more students and increase academic outcomes.”