Albuquerque Public Schools
Building Our Neighborhood
Marie Hughes Husky Hub project turns mapping into a hands-on exploration.
At Marie Hughes Elementary, students are learning what makes a community strong by building one themselves.
As part of the school’s Husky Hub—its version of Genius Hour—students explored the theme of “building our neighborhood.” They began by studying local maps, identifying important places and thinking deeply about what makes a community meaningful and connected.
That learning quickly moved from paper to practice.
Students first set out to construct their neighborhoods using LEGO materials, eager to bring their ideas to life in three dimensions. When time constraints made detailed builds challenging, they adapted with a new approach: creating a “paper bag neighborhood.” The shift sparked creativity and allowed students to design and build their communities in a more flexible way.
Soon, their neighborhood began to take shape.
From schools to local businesses, students filled their maps with places that matter most to them. Marie Hughes Elementary sat at the heart of many designs, alongside familiar spots like Dion’s Pizza, LBJ Middle School, Sierra Vista Pool and GameStop, highlighting how students define their community through both proximity and personal connection.
Along the way, students engaged in asset mapping, a key component of the community school model that helps them understand not only what exists in their neighborhood but also why it matters. Their work expanded beyond geography into storytelling, identity and belonging, all driven by authentic student voice.
The project also sparked a desire to connect with the real people behind these places. Students expressed interest in inviting community partners into the classroom, opening the door for future learning experiences with organizations like Open Space educators, Petroglyph National Park and local businesses.
What started as a simple mapping activity became something much bigger: a living, student-created representation of community.
At Marie Hughes Elementary, students aren’t just learning about their neighborhood. They’re helping define it.
About APS Community Schools
With almost 70 Community Schools across the district, APS and the ABC Community School Partnership are building a network of schools that serve as community hubs. By weaving together rigorous classroom instruction, expanded learning opportunities, integrated support systems, and the voices of families and students in decision-making, these schools create conditions where every child can learn, grow and thrive.