Albuquerque Public Schools
Atrisco Elementary Students Get a Glimpse of Their Future
The school-wide event brought professionals, parents and even middle schoolers together to inspire the next generation.
The annual Career Day event at Atrisco Elementary School has grown into something far bigger than a gym full of folding tables.
This year, students got up close with fire trucks courtesy of the Bernalillo County Fire Department, learned about water infrastructure from the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority, and heard from a range of professionals, including a pilot, municipal judge, nurse, accountant, engineer, social media content creator and representatives from Presbyterian Healthcare Services, among others.
Three Atrisco parents also stepped into the spotlight, presenting as an accountant, an MRI technician and a business owner who parked his semi-truck right on the school's field.
One of the most meaningful additions this year was a collaboration with Ernie Pyle Middle School. Ten middle school students, many of them former Atrisco students, attended with their principal and student success resource teacher, hosting a table with three interactive activities about middle school life. For current Atrisco students, seeing older peers return in a leadership role offered a powerful glimpse of what's ahead.
The event is also tied to Goal 4, focusing on perseverance. Through classroom lessons, school-wide incentives, and events like Career Day, Atrisco has been building a culture of persistence, and the data is reflecting it. Recent Panorama survey results showed a 10% increase in student perseverance scores, placing the school in the 80th percentile districtwide.
Career Day at Atrisco isn't just a single event. It's a growing network of community members, families and partner schools all showing up to help students start imagining their futures.