Albuquerque Public Schools
College and Career High School Graduates Celebrate Milestone
Class earned more than 3,300 college credits and received $2.3 million in scholarship offers.
Smiles, pride and tears all mixed as College and Career High School seniors marked the end of their high school careers during a graduation ceremony at Berna Facio Professional Development Complex on Friday.
The graduates, clad in navy caps and gowns, had a lot to celebrate. The school’s 69 graduates earned a combined 3,300 college credits, with many of them earning associate degrees and certificates, in addition to their high school diplomas. They also received a combined $2.3 million in scholarship offers.
On hand to celebrate the milestone with graduates were CNM President Tracy Hartzler and APS Superintendent Gabriella Blakey, who noted the day was special for her as well.
“Today marks my very first graduation as superintendent of Albuquerque Public Schools,” she said. “I’ve stood on this stage before, as a principal and as a district leader, but this one feels different. This one is personal.”
She congratulated graduates on their many accomplishments, noting that they’ve been navigating two worlds: high school and college. She urged them to thank those who helped them succeed, to care about their neighbors and to remember that character still matters.
“While I have no doubt there are future doctors, engineers, artists and scientists among you, I hope one day your legacy is even more meaningful – titles like loving parent, loyal friend, kind colleague,” she said. “Those are the things that outlast any resume.”
Located on Central New Mexico Community College’s main campus, College and Career High is a unique APS magnet school where students earn their high school diploma while simultaneously earning a two-year college degree, certificate or credits toward a bachelor’s degree.
The school has one of APS’ highest graduation rates at 96.3% for the class of 2024, the most recent year for which data is available.
“Each of you made the bold decision to attend a school that asked more of you, and all of you rose to the challenge,” Hartzler told this year's graduates. “You didn’t just take high school classes, you took college classes. You took them with older students, and you didn’t just get by, you really excelled.”
APS Board of Education Vice President Courtney Jackson officially conferred diplomas on graduates on behalf of the board.
Friday’s ceremony kicked off graduation season at APS. Ceremonies for most of the other magnet schools will be held at Berna Facio on May 15 and May 16.
Students graduating from the 13 comprehensive high schools and eCADEMY will hold their commencements at Tingley Coliseum. Cibola High School will kick off the comprehensive high school graduations on May 19. APS will host its final Class of 2025 graduation on May 23, when Del Norte High seniors get their diplomas.
2025 High School Graduations by School
| School | Time and Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque High | 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 20 | Tingley |
| Atrisco Heritage Academy | 9:30 a.m. Friday, May 23 | Tingley |
| Cibola High | 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 19 | Tingley |
| College & Career | 2:30 p.m. Friday, May 2 | Berna Facio |
| Del Norte High | 2 p.m. Friday, May 23 | Tingley |
| Early College Academy | 3:30 p.m. Friday, May 16 | Berna Facio |
| eCADEMY | 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 21 | Tingley |
| Eldorado High | 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 22 | Tingley |
| Freedom High | 3:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15 | Berna Facio |
| Highland High | 2 p.m. Thursday, May 22 | Tingley |
| La Cueva High | 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 20 | Tingley |
| Manzano High | 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 21 | Tingley |
| New Futures High | 9 a.m. Friday, May 16 | Berna Facio |
| nex+Gen High | 12:30 p.m. Friday, May 16 | Berna Facio |
| Rio Grande High | 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 20 | Tingley |
| Sandia High | 9:30 a.m. Thursday, May 22 | Tingley |
| School on Wheels High | 12:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15 | Berna Facio |
| Transition Services | 9 a.m. Thursday, May 15 | Berna Facio |
| Valley High | 2 p.m. Monday, May 19 | Tingley |
| Volcano Vista High | 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 21 | Tingley |
| West Mesa High | 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 19 | Tingley |
High School Graduations at Tingley Coliseum by Date
- Monday, May 19: Cibola at 9:30 a.m., Valley at 2 p.m., West Mesa at 6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 20: La Cueva at 9:30 a.m., Rio Grande at 2 p.m., Albuquerque High at 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 21: Volcano Vista at 9:30 a.m., eCAD at 2 p.m., Manzano at 6:30 p.m.
- Thursday, May 22: Sandia at 9:30 a.m., Highland at 2 p.m., Eldorado at 6:30 p.m.
- Friday, May 23: Atrisco Heritage at 9:30 a.m., Del Norte at 2 p.m.
High School Graduations at Berna Facio by Date
- Friday, May 2, College & Career High School at 2:30 p.m.
- Thursday, May 15: Transition Services at 9 a.m., School on Wheels at 12:30 p.m., Freedom High School at 3:30 p.m.
- Friday, May 16: New Futures at 9 a.m., NexGen Academy at 12:30 p.m., Early College Academy at 3:30 p.m.