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PJ34 Academic Focused and Special Interest Clubs

PJ34 Academic Focused and Special Interest Clubs

Definitions

Academic Focused Clubs are Academic School Clubs and Organizations

Academic-focused school clubs and organizations are student-led or school-sponsored groups whose primary purpose is to promote academic achievement, intellectual engagement, and scholarly recognition. Membership or continued participation is based wholly or in part on academic criteria, such as minimum grade point average (GPA), course performance, demonstrated academic excellence, or subject-area proficiency. These groups may include honor societies, discipline-specific clubs, and other academically focused organizations that support enrichment, leadership, service, and recognition aligned with educational goals.

 

Special Interest Clubs and Organizations

Special interest clubs and organizations are student-led or school-sponsored groups formed around shared interests, hobbies, causes, or extracurricular activities. Participation in these clubs is open to students regardless of academic performance, grade point average (GPA), or course standing. These organizations provide opportunities for social connection, personal growth, creativity, civic engagement, and student voice, and are intended to foster inclusion, belonging, and engagement within the school community.

 

 No club shall discriminate on the basis of protected identities/categories in accordance with APS policy on non-discrimination and any other law. Clubs must be accessible to people with disabilities, who are pregnant/lactating, or with religious or sincerely held beliefs, and reasonable accommodations must be provided. 

 

Establishment of an Academic or Special Interest Club 

Students in grades K-12 may form a non-curricular special interest club by meeting the requirements below. 

 

  • The initiative to form the club must come solely from at least 5 (five) students at the school and clubs must maintain a minimum of 5 (five) student members to continue operation.

  • Interested students should speak with the school principal or their designee to document their interest in starting a club. 

  • Student interest can be documented through a student petition signed by at least 5 students, which is created, promoted, and shared with the principal or their designee.

  • Once established, the club must draft a constitution that outlines its purpose, goals, and rationale for existence. The constitution must also establish a governance or leadership structure and be on file with the principal or their designee. Evidence of at least 5 (five) active members must also be on file with the principal or designee. All clubs utilizing APS facilities outside of school hours must request use of the facility using Facilitron and assume all related fees and requirements. 

  • Once formed, the club's student members must lead all activities and facilitate, coordinate, and run club meetings.

 

Operation of Academic or Special Interest Clubs in Grades K-12

 

The following additional rules apply to all clubs at all grade levels: 

  • The club may not be sponsored or devised by a teacher or any other employee of the Albuquerque Public Schools. 

  • A district employee assigned to the school and supervised by the principal or designee will serve as a monitor, not an advisor, of the activities of the club using the following guidelines:

  • The monitor's primary purpose is to observe student activities and ensure the safety of students and the property of Albuquerque Public Schools, and ensure that the club is acting in accordance with APS policies and procedures.

  • The monitor is responsible for entering all club meetings that occur outside the school day into the APS Faciltron system. The club is responsible for any fees associated with facility usage, as articulated in APS administrative procedures. 

  • The monitor must not lead, participate, or unilaterally establish the agenda of any club activity.

  • The monitor may not dictate any decisions related to the club, including fundraising activities. The monitor may, however, monitor the collection of funds raised in the club and deposit them with the school bookkeeper in alignment with APS administrative procedures.

  • No public resources may be used for the operation of the club, which includes in-kind items such as district-sponsored communication and advertisements.

  • The monitor must be present for the entirety of all club meetings and activities. 

  • The club’s meetings may not be led, conducted, or controlled by people from outside the school or representatives of other outside groups. External visitors/guests are permitted no more than twice per semester, and only with prior approval from the school administration. These visitors/guests must follow school and district policies and procedures, including any sign-in requirements, regardless of any volunteer or unsupervised background check held by the adult.



Administrative Position:  

  • Deputy Superintendent of Leadership and Learning

  • Deputy Superintendent of Operations



Department Director: 

  • Director of Extended Learning

  • Executive Director of Activities and Athletics

  • Specialist Community Schools Development

 

Legal Cross Reference: 

 

  • U.S. Const. amend. I

  • 20 U.S.C. § 4071 

  • § 28-22-1 through § 28-22-5 NMSA 1978

  • § 22-27-2 NMSA 1978

  • § 22-13-15 NMSA 1978

 

District Procedures Cross Ref.:

 

NSBA/NEPN Classification: JJK

 

Revised: May 1995

Revised: April 1996

Revised: May 1997

Reviewed: February 23, 2024

Revised:  February 23, 2024

Reviewed: January 12, 2026

Revised: January 12, 2026