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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NMCSP Round Three Competition Announcement!

PCSNM is excited to announce the upcoming timeline for Round Three of the NMCSP subgrant competition! Round Three will include the availability of 7 subgrant awards; 4 expansion subgrant awards of up to $1.5 million each and 3 new subgrant awards of up to $2 million each.

Below is the timeline of major events and deadlines for the Round Three NMCSP subgrant competition cycle. Please mark your calendars, as some of the events are required in order to participate in the Round Three competition.

Following the completion of this award cycle in September, PCSNM anticipates launching its fourth award cycle of new school, replication, and expansion awards in Spring 2026. If you have any questions or anticipated scheduling conflicts with mandatory events, please reach out to the NMCSP Grant team at PCSNM.

Thank you for your commitment to improving access to high-quality educational options for New Mexico’s students and families.

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Round Two New Mexico Charter School Program Awards Announced!

February 5, 2025

Albuquerque, NM – Public Charter Schools of New Mexico (PCSNM) has awarded Charter School Program (CSP) grants to seven new and existing high-performing public charter schools across New Mexico. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, these competitive grants will support schools in increasing enrollment capacity, expanding grade levels, and enhancing academic programs to serve more students.

Expansion Awards

The five charter schools selected for this round of Expansion Award funding have demonstrated strong academic outcomes and a proven commitment to student success. Each school has been recognized for its outstanding performance and ability to provide high-quality public education:

Albuquerque Collegiate Charter School is the only New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) Spotlight School serving students primarily from the southwest quadrant of Albuquerque. The school’s early literacy proficiency rate is double the state average, and its students outperform state averages by 25 percent in math and nearly 70 percent in reading. With this expansion grant, Albuquerque Collegiate will extend its offerings to include grades 6-8, ensuring that more students benefit from its high-expectations model.

Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School in Albuquerque has earned national recognition for academic excellence, ranking among the top 250 high schools in the U.S. according to U.S. News & World Report. The school boasts 57 percent proficiency in math and 89 percent in reading, more than double and triple the state averages, respectively. Its alumni are 50 percent more likely than the national average to graduate from college within six years. The expansion grant will enable the school to extend its impact by increasing enrollment capacity.

Mission Achievement and Success Charter School in Albuquerque serves a student population that is 95 percent economically disadvantaged and consistently outperforms state proficiency averages by 20 to 25 percent in both math and reading. With a waitlist of over 1,000 students, the grant will allow the school to expand its capacity to serve more students in need of a high-quality
public school option.

Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts, located on the southwest side of Albuquerque, has demonstrated exceptional growth, particularly among English Language Learners (ELL) and students with disabilities. ELL students at the school have shown 114 percent growth in math and 94 percent in reading, while students receiving special education services have exhibited 88 percent growth in math and 116 percent in reading, with nearly 30 percent advancing two or more grade levels in both subjects. The grant will allow the school to expand its innovative approach to supporting student growth.

THRIVE Community School in Santa Fe is the highest-performing K-8 public school in the city, with student achievement surpassing that of the local school district. The CSP grant will provide additional resources to support its continued growth and ensure more students in Santa Fe have access to a high-quality education.

“Each of these schools has demonstrated a clear commitment to academic excellence and student achievement,” said Matthew Pahl, Executive Director of PCSNM. “Through this funding, we are investing in high-performing schools that have already proven their ability to make a difference in students’ lives. By expanding their reach, we are ensuring that more New Mexico families have access to outstanding public education options.”

Replication Award

Albuquerque, NM – Public Charter Schools of New Mexico (PCSNM) is pleased to announce that Albuquerque School of Excellence (ASE) has been awarded a Charter School Program (CSP) Replication Grant, funded by the U.S. Department of Education. This grant will support ASE in replicating its successful academic model, ensuring more students in Albuquerque have access to a high-quality public charter school.

Albuquerque School of Excellence has been recognized for its outstanding academic performance and commitment to student success. It is a 2023 Nationally Distinguished School and a 2022 National Blue Ribbon School, underscoring its reputation as one of the state’s highest-performing schools. With student proficiency rates in mathematics more than double the state average and reading proficiency 61 percent higher than the state average, ASE has demonstrated a consistent ability to deliver exceptional educational outcomes. The CSP Replication Grant will enable ASE to expand to an additional campus, providing more students with access to its rigorous, STEAM focused curriculum and college preparatory programs.

“The expansion of Albuquerque School of Excellence is a great step forward for public education in New Mexico,” said Matthew Pahl, Executive Director of PCSNM “The school’s track record of academic excellence and its commitment to student achievement make it an ideal candidate for replication. This grant represents an investment in the future of New Mexico students, ensuring that more families have access to a proven, high-performing public school.”

As demand for Albuquerque School of Excellence continues to grow, the replication grant will allow the school to expand its enrollment capacity, creating additional opportunities for students to attend a free public charter school recognized for academic excellence. ASE’s commitment to high standards and a supportive learning environment will now reach a greater number of students and families seeking quality education in Albuquerque.

“Albuquerque School of Excellence has built a strong reputation for preparing students for success in college, careers, and beyond,” said Mustafa Ayik, Executive Director of ASE. “This replication will allow us to expand our mission, providing more students with access to a rigorous STEM-focused education that emphasizes innovation, critical thinking, and real-world application. We are honored to receive this support and look forward to empowering the next generation of leaders, problem-solvers, and lifelong learners in the greater Albuquerque community.”

New School Award

Albuquerque, NM – Public Charter Schools of New Mexico (PCSNM) is pleased to announce that Sun Mountain Community School has been awarded a Charter School Program (CSP) grant to support its launch as a new public charter school in Santa Fe. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, this grant will assist in the school’s development, ensuring that students have access to a high-quality educational experience grounded in the Waldorf Education model.

Sun Mountain Community School will be the only public Waldorf school in New Mexico. The Waldorf Education model is a holistic approach that integrates academics, arts, and experiential learning. The school will initially serve grades K-4 in its first year and will expand to a full K-8 program over time.

“The school’s community has deep roots in Santa Fe and is ready to bring those connections to support a high-quality public school in the city,” said Zoë Wilcox, one of Sun Mountain’s founders. “With this grant, we can ensure that students from all backgrounds have access to a public education that nurtures creativity, curiosity, and a love of learning.”

The introduction of Sun Mountain Community School will expand educational choices for Santa Fe families, particularly for those seeking an alternative approach to traditional education. The Waldorf model, which has been present in private schools in the region for decades, will now be available as a free public charter school open to all students.

“We’re excited to welcome Sun Mountain Community School to the public charter school community,” said Matthew Pahl, Executive Director of PCSNM. “Waldorf education has had a home in Santa Fe for decades, and the investment we are making in this school means that more students will have access to this free, public charter school that is open to all students in the area.”

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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