Join an NMAA recognized Esports Team in APS
APS Esports offered to high school students.
What is Esports?
Esports is an NMAA (New Mexico Activities Association) approved official activity with competition between individuals or teams. Like traditional sports, esports requires individual skill, practice, and teamwork for success. Strategy and planning, coordination of effort, critical thinking, and collaboration are also essential competitive elements.
Watch the Channel 13 story: APS Hopes to Expand eSports Teams.
Mission/Vision
APS esports is committed to offering our high school students the opportunity to play competitive esports by providing an equitable playing field across the district. Through esports, we will help our students realize their full potential by offering inclusion, enabling collaboration, improving confidence, and inspiring excellence.
APS Esports
Albuquerque Public Schools began an esports program in the 2018-2019 school year, with eight APS high schools participating fully: Albuquerque High School, Atrisco Heritage Academy, Career Enrichment Center and Early College Academy Magnet, Cibola, Del Norte, Highland, La Cueva, and Volcano Vista. With over 100 student players, our inaugural year was strong, and we are looking forward to expanding our program in the 2019-2020 school year.
History
Competitive gaming began in colleges in the 1970s and slowly grew in popularity until the late 1990s when the first tournaments were held for prize money. Around 2010 esports exploded in popularity with the advent of live-streaming platforms. Today, over 200 colleges offer more than $15 million in scholarships to esports players with many more colleges offering esports specific curriculum to teach students how to become successful in this growing career field.
Future of Esports
The NMAA brought the first esports competitive season to APS in the spring of 2019 with three team games: League of Legends, Smite, and Rocket League. APS esports would like to increase student participation by offering more games and expanding our esports labs.
Our goal is to have all of our high schools participating in esports by the end of the 2019-2020 season. APS students who may not be able to join traditional sports such as basketball, football, or soccer may find a real sense of belonging and teamwork in esports. Esports offers the potential for leadership, growth, inclusion, and success for all students.
For more information about APS esports, visit our page: APS Esports