Students in four Westside schools could soon be learning to fly drones and build a more sustainable future for the rest of us.
Beginning next year, four schools in the Rio Grande High School feeder group – Los Padillas Elementary, Mountain View Elementary, Polk Middle School, and Rio Grande High School – will begin offering pathways for students to explore specialized learning programs. Some of these programs include learning coding and attaining certificates from partnering area universities. Other programs include drone flying, agricultural sustainability, clean energy technology and sustainable farming.
“Sustaining the Future is aimed at increasing diversity, providing an innovative curriculum,
building leadership qualities, and fostering family community partnerships, in addition to
academic excellence,” explained Francesca Verploegh, APS Executive Director of Innovation.
“Any child in the district is eligible to apply for the Sustaining the Future program.”
This is the second K-12 grade pathway APS has added to its school choice portfolio. In 2017, APS established Engineering the Future, which focuses on engineering and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) at Mission Elementary, Garfield STEM Magnet School and Valley High School. This new program brings the total to 25 magnet schools that offer theme-based educational opportunities.
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller joined incoming APS Superintendent Gabriella Blakey and other APS leaders at Polk Middle School in the South Valley on Wednesday to formally unveil the Sustaining the Future program. “These kinds of innovative programs give Albuquerque youth the skills they need for exciting careers in the future and help build the foundation for a more sustainable city,” said Keller.
Sustaining the Future is a new magnet program funded with a $12.8 million federal grant over 5 years.
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