Nine New Mexico Charter Schools Selected for Ready for CSP New Mexico Fellowship

NEW MEXICO – (October 30, 2026) – The Mind Trust and Public Charter Schools of New Mexico (PCSNM) are proud to welcome nine public charter schools to the Ready for CSP New Mexico Fellowship. All participating schools have received federal Charter Schools Program (CSP) grant funding, a federal grant initiative that supports the growth of public charter schools.

“New Mexico is home to innovative public charter schools that are working to create more opportunities for students and families,” said Brandon Brown, CEO of The Mind Trust. “These nine schools have ambitious visions for growth, and we’re excited to partner with Public Charter Schools of New Mexico to help turn those visions into reality.”

The fellowship supports leaders at two key stages: those actively applying for CSP funding and those building on prior awards to plan for sustainable expansion or replication. Having supported recently awarded schools through the CSP application process, The Mind Trust and PCSNM will now help all nine participating schools successfully implement their expansion plans. 

“We’re excited to partner with The Mind Trust to make a meaningful investment in the growth and development of New Mexico’s charter schools and charter school leaders,” said Jade Rivera, Executive Director of Public Charter Schools of New Mexico. “By building leadership capacity and providing individualized support, we’re helping schools navigate the complexities of expansion while staying focused on what matters most: delivering excellent outcomes for students.”

About the Ready for CSP New Mexico Fellowship

The Ready for CSP New Mexico Fellowship is a partnership between The Mind Trust and PCSNM designed to help public charter schools successfully navigate the challenges and opportunities of expansion.

Through individualized coaching, technical assistance, and collaborative learning opportunities, participating schools receive targeted support to strengthen the conditions needed for sustainable school growth.  The fellowship brings together school leaders at different stages of expansion, creating opportunities to share best practices and build the capacity needed to serve more students while maintaining strong academic outcomes.

Selected Ready for CSP New Mexico Fellows

The nine schools selected for the Ready for CSP New Mexico Fellowship represent a range of educational models and communities across the state. From expanding dual language programs and arts-integrated instruction to creating new middle and high school pathways, each school is working to increase access to educational opportunities that meet the needs of students and families. 

Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School — Previous CSP Awardee

Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School, authorized by the New Mexico Public Education Commission, has offered a classical, college-preparatory education to students in grades 6–12 since 2007. Now serving more than 900 students with a waitlist that consistently exceeds 500, the school received approval to raise its enrollment cap to 1,500 and plans to add 500 seats by 2032.

East Mountain High School — Previous CSP Awardee

East Mountain High School, authorized by Albuquerque Public Schools, has served students in grades 9–12 since 1999 and currently enrolls 445 students. The school is growing into a full 6–12 model, opening 6th grade in the 2026–27 school year with all 90 new seats filled and a waitlist, and adding 7th and 8th grades the following year. 

Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts — Previous CSP Awardee

Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts is an arts-integrated K–8 school in Albuquerque that opened in 2022 and now serves more than 200 students. The school plans to grow by adding grade levels, including a long-planned high school, and by expanding capacity through a new facility now in development. 

Christine Duncan Heritage Academy — CSP Round 4 Awardee ($1,500,000)

Christine Duncan Heritage Academy (CDHA), authorized by Albuquerque Public Schools, has offered a PreK–8 Spanish-English dual language program on Albuquerque’s Westside since 2006. CDHA will open a dual language high school at its South Campus, starting with 78 ninth graders in 2027–28 and adding a grade each year, growing total seats from 528 to 810 by 2028–29. 

Explore Academy Rio Rancho — CSP Round 4 Awardee ($1,182,895)

Explore Academy Rio Rancho, authorized by the New Mexico Public Education Commission, opened in 2023 and serves students in grades K–8 through personalized, student-chosen learning pathways. The school will become a full K–12 school by adding a high school grade each year, growing from 405 to 760 students by 2029–30. 

Moreno Valley Preparatory — CSP Round 4 Awardee ($1,500,000)

Moreno Valley Preparatory (MVP), authorized by the New Mexico Public Education Commission, has served high school students in rural Colfax County since 2002 using the Paideia model. MVP is expanding from grades 9–12 to 6–12, adding 7th and 8th grades in 2026–27 and 6th grade in 2027–28. The expansion will create at least 45 new rural seats and make MVP the only charter middle school option for families in the county.

Mountain Mahogany Community School — CSP Round 4 Awardee ($1,500,000)

Mountain Mahogany Community School, authorized by Albuquerque Public Schools, is a K–8 school known for outdoor learning and for its strong record serving students with disabilities. The school will add 65 seats by 2028–29, growing from 220 to 285 students by outfitting a new leased building with classrooms and a cafeteria and warming kitchen.

Public Academy for Performing Arts — CSP Round 4 Awardee ($1,500,000)

The Public Academy for Performing Arts (PAPA), authorized by Albuquerque Public Schools, is an arts-integrated school serving students in grades 6–12 since 2001, with more than 100 students on its waitlist each year. PAPA will add about 97 seats by September 2029, growing from 417 to 514 students, an increase that brings the school to its full building capacity. 

Sandoval Academy of Bilingual Education — CSP Round 4 Awardee ($1,250,000)

Sandoval Academy of Bilingual Education (SABE), authorized by the New Mexico Public Education Commission, has offered a family-centered bilingual education since 2015 and is the only bilingual school in its region. SABE will grow its K–8 two-way dual language program from 234 to 360 students by 2030, adding 126 seats.

For more information about the Ready for CSP New Mexico Fellowship, visit readyforcspnm.org.