Albuquerque Public Schools
Charter School Enrollment
How to register your child to attend a charter school in Albuquerque
What is a charter school?
Charter schools are elementary and secondary schools that generally offer educational programs focused in certain fields (e.g., mathematics, science, arts, etc.). Like public schools, charter schools do not charge tuition.
How to Register
Registering your child in a charter school is similar to registering him or her in an APS public school, except that charter schools often have limited enrollment. Because of their limited size, most charter schools hold random lottery drawings to select students.
Step 1: Choose a School
Identify the school you would like to enroll in:
Step 2: Contact the School to Apply
Each charter school manages its own enrollment. Contact the charter school to get an application or learn more.
In general, charter schools approve transfers according to a random selection process (i.e., lottery drawing).
The following priorities apply to the enrollment process:
- Returning students (i.e., students already attending the school)
- Siblings of current students
- Students whose names are drawn from the lottery, until all slots are filled
Contact individual charter schools for lottery drawing dates and to get an application.
Step 3: Complete Application
Charter schools will notify you about your application. They will also help you prepare additional materials for your application.
In some cases, students may be placed on a waiting list if there is no space at the charter school. When space is available, you will be contacted by the school if your child's name is drawn for enrollment.