Albuquerque Public Schools
APS Sees 4.3 Percentage Point Increase in Grad Rates
Biggest increases seen at La Cueva, Highland and Freedom.
Albuquerque Public Schools saw a solid increase in its graduation rate, with Highland, La Cueva and Freedom high schools showing double-digit gains. In all, 17 of 20 APS high schools saw gains.
APS posted a combined graduation rate of 75.9% for the Class of 2024, an increase of 4.3 percentage points from the Class of 2023. The rate excludes charter schools, over which APS has limited academic control.
“This increase shows APS is going in the right direction,” said APS Superintendent Gabriella Blakey. “But I know we can do better.”
Dr. Blakey said she and her leadership team are actively working to make the high school experience more engaging for students through reimagined graduation requirements and other initiatives that emphasize career and college readiness.
Graduation rates released Monday by the State Public Education Department show the statewide grad rate for the Class of 2024 was 78%, an increase of 1.3 percentage points from the Class of 2023.
Among APS comprehensive high schools, La Cueva posted the highest graduation rate, with 91.3% of students graduating – an 11.5 percentage point increase from the class of 2023. Volcano Vista had the second-highest grad rate, at 89.2%, an increase of 6.9 percentage points. Highland increased its graduation rate from 55.3% to 66.1%.
Among APS schools of choice, Early College Academy posted the highest graduation rate at 99.75%, an increase of 7.2 percentage points over the Class of 2023, according to the data PED release. College and Career High School’s graduation rate jumped to 96.3%, an increase of 9.3 percentage points. Schools of choice showing the most growth included Freedom High School and School.
When comparing APS graduation rates by race, ethnicity and federal program designation, results were mixed.
White, non-Hispanic students posted an increase of 4.9 percentage points, the biggest growth among all reported student races. Hispanic students were not far behind with a 4.5 percentage point increase. Black students had a 1.2 percentage point increase. But Native American students saw a one-year decrease of 2.8 percentage points – the only decrease among race/ethnicity groups.
Graduation rates for students in special education increased by 0.3 percentage points while economically disadvantaged students experienced a one-year decrease of 0.4 percentage points. English Learners saw a one-year increase of 6.8 percentage points – the largest increase among all reported student groups.
“We’re happy we’re seeing gains in some of these areas, but we as a district need to do more,” Blakey said. “That’s particularly true with our Native American and economically disadvantaged students. We’re confident we’ll get there by following our strategic plan and being laser-focused on achieving our five-year goals.”
The APS Board of Education has adopted goals that call on the district to improve outcomes for Native American and Black students, along with students who are English learners, economically disadvantaged and those served by special education programs.
*2024 Graduation Rates by High School, percentage point increase or decrease
- Albuquerque High 75.2% (+5.1)
- Atrisco Heritage Academy 79.7% (+2)
- Cibola High 76.7% (+0.4)
- College and Career 96.3% (+9.3)
- Del Norte High 65.6% (-0.2)
- Early College Academy 99.8% (+7.2)
- Ecademy 58.3% (-5.5)
- Eldorado High 81.1% (+6.7)
- Freedom High 21.5% (+12.7)
- Highland High 66.1% (+10.8)
- La Cueva High 91.3% (+11.5)
- Manzano High 64.1% (+0.4)
- New Futures **
- Nex+Gen Academy 87% (+5.1)
- Rio Grande High 68.7% (+5.7)
- Sandia High 82.3% (+6.7)
- School on Wheels **
- Valley High 74.4% (+8)
- Volcano Vista High 89.2% (+6.9)
- West Mesa High 65.9% (-3.9)
* Graduation rates released by the state Public Education Department on April 21, 2025
** Graduation rate not published by PED due to cohort size