CSP Background

On September 27, 2023, the U.S. Department of Education awarded approximately $235.8 million in new funds to qualifying states through the U.S. Department of Education’s Charter Schools Program (CSP). New Mexico was one of the qualifying states and Public Charter Schools of New Mexico (PCSNM) was awarded a 5-year $52,777,778 CSP grant. The CSP grant will allow PCSNM to award subgrants to applicants, through a competitive grant process, who are looking to achieve one of the following:

• Expand existing high-quality charter schools,
• Replicate existing high-quality charter schools, or
• Create new charter schools based on models that have been proven to successfully increase student achievement, especially for educationally disadvantaged students.

PCSNM’s CSP objectives are aligned to the major purposes of the U.S. Department of Education CSP and are specifically targeted to:

1. Expand access to high-quality public school seats across New Mexico by awarding 28 subgrants to new, expanding, and replicating schools, including the launch of schools in new communities that currently lack a charter school presence.
2. Improve learning outcomes for high-need students by catalyzing the growth of schools that meet or exceed academic achievement of state and district averages and by using charters as a vehicle to drive systemic improvement within the communities in which they are located.
3. Strengthen the overall sustainability of New Mexico’s charter sector by sponsoring fellowship opportunities for emerging leaders, by conducting needs analyses and furnishing customized technical assistance opportunities, and by building the capacity of both mature and developing authorizers.

Public Charter Schools of New Mexico’s CSP grant will award 28 subgrants to qualified applicants, over the course of 5 years.

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Round Three New Mexico Charter School Program Awards Announced!

October 3, 2025

Expansion(s)

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Public Charter Schools of New Mexico (PCSNM) has announced that four charter schools across the state will receive $6 million in Charter School Program (CSP) subgrants to expand access to high-quality public education.

The schools—ACES Technical Charter School (Albuquerque), J. Paul Taylor Academy (Las Cruces), New Mexico School for the Arts (Santa Fe), and The Montessori Academy (Albuquerque)—are each building on a strong record of student success and high community demand.

ACES Technical Charter School (Albuquerque) will add over 100 new K–5 seats at a new campus, open 150 more seats for secondary students, and prepare to expand through grade 12. The school will also add robotics and engineering resources, advanced computer labs, and expanded library supports for its high-need student population.

J. Paul Taylor Academy (Las Cruces) will move into a new facility, absorb its waitlisted students, and provide bussing to rural communities, adding hundreds of seats to meet strong regional demand.

New Mexico School for the Arts (Santa Fe) will expand enrollment and launch a Film & Media Arts department, preparing students with industry-aligned training in New Mexico’s growing creative economy.

The Montessori Academy (Albuquerque) will grow from K–8 to a full K–12 model with a new secondary campus, expanding capacity from 500 to 800 seats and maintaining its student-centered Montessori approach.

“Each of these schools is creating opportunities for students to thrive,” said Matthew Pahl, Executive Director of PCSNM. “These grants will help them expand their reach and continue providing the high-quality education that New Mexico families are asking for.”

New School(s)

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Public Charter Schools of New Mexico (PCSNM) has awarded a Charter School Program (CSP) subgrant to support the launch of Inspira STEAM Academy, a new charter school set to open in July 2026 in Las Cruces.

Inspira will be the first school in the East Mesa area to fully integrate dual-language instruction with STEAM education. The school will begin with kindergarten and first-grade students and grow to over 200 K–5 students within five years.

The model is already generating strong demand from families eager for a bilingual, future-focused option that blends academic rigor with innovation. CSP funds will support Inspira’s bilingual curriculum, STEAM labs, and training for highly qualified bilingual educators. To ensure equitable access, the school will also provide transportation and universal meals.

“Inspira STEAM Academy will provide students with a competitive advantage in both language and STEAM fields,” said Julia Rivera-Tapia, founding leader of Inspira. “We are responding to the requests of families in Las Cruces for an inclusive, high-quality public school that not only opens doors to future careers but also celebrates and honors the rich, diverse culture of our community.”

About the Charter School Program

The U.S. Department of Education awarded PCSNM a five-year, $52.7 million Charter School Program (CSP) grant in 2023 to support the creation, expansion, and replication of high-quality charter schools in New Mexico. These subgrants are awarded through a competitive selection process to schools that have demonstrated exceptional student outcomes and operational strength. The goal of the CSP grant is to expand educational opportunities, particularly for students in underserved communities.

About Public Charter Schools of New Mexico

Public Charter Schools of New Mexico (PCSNM) is the state’s leading organization advocating for and supporting charter schools. Its mission is to increase student academic achievement by fostering charter school quality, growth, and autonomy.

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