Albuquerque Public Schools
Learning Beyond the Classroom
La Mesa Wildcats tackle field trips and pro soccer this month.
September was a month of unforgettable discovery for students at La Mesa Elementary, where learning extended far beyond the traditional classroom setting thanks to strong local partnerships.
The school's fourth graders kicked off their Rio Grande and Bosque project through the Bernalillo County Water Authority’s RIO (River Is Ours) program. The young scholars explored the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden and took a guided nature walk along the Rio Grande, observing signs of native wildlife and gaining a hands-on understanding of the local river ecosystem.
Meanwhile, La Mesa fifth graders headed to the New Mexico State Fair on opening day courtesy of the NM State Fair School Days program. Students explored free interactive exhibits spanning agriculture, local art and STEAM, opening doors to new interests and career paths.
Rounding out the high-energy month, third, fourth, and fifth-grade Wildcats celebrated National Youth Soccer Month right on their own playground. Supported by Speaker of the House Javier Martínez, the New Mexico Oil & Gas Association, and New Mexico United, players from the professional soccer team visited campus to host a specialized day camp. Beyond skill-building, the event offered students a powerful reminder of how much their local community invests in their success.
Through these combined efforts, community partners helped create lasting memories while giving La Mesa students accessible, real-world opportunities to explore, move and grow.