Albuquerque Public Schools
Recently Arrived English Learners
Choice Check: Recently Arrived English Learners
Working with the community to support newcomer education
The Albuquerque Public Schools Refugee and Newcomer Supports Program helps recently-arrived immigrant English learners, many of whom are refugees. There are roughly 600 refugee students in APS, with more arriving monthly. The program works with local community organizations to build collaborative partnerships to support newcomer education. Case managers support students, families, and the schools that serve them.
Their primary roles include:
- Refugee parent and family engagement
- Student and family support
- Community outreach
- School support
Language Specialists
Specialists provide in-classroom support to newcomer students, working alongside teachers to ensure that the material being taught is accessible. They do this by utilizing their language skills to explain complicated concepts and provide academic and social support to newcomers.
Staff speaks more than a dozen languages: Swahili, French, Kikongo, Lingala, Tshiluba, Arabic, Dari, Farsi, Pashto, Urdu/Hindi, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Kinyamulenge, Spanish, and English.
Newcomer Programs
- The Refugee & Newcomer Support Program is a part of the APS Office of Equity and Engagement.
- YouTube Videos in Arabic, Swahili, Dari, and Spanish
More Information
If you have questions or need support, contact Brand Baca, Refugee Point of Contact, at (505) 803-7781 or brandon.baca@aps.edu