By Kevin Hendricks
A crowd of over 200 students, parents, educators, and community leaders gathered in Rio Rancho on April 23 to celebrate the grand opening of RioTECH, a state-of-the-art Career Technical Education (CTE) high school designed to prepare students for high-demand careers in skilled trades and technology.
Rio Rancho Public Schools hosted the grand opening of the new school, which is the result of years of planning, construction, renovation and a partnership with Central New Mexico Community College.
The vision for RioTECH has been years in the making. From architectural design to curriculum development, it took a team of educators, administrators and community partners to bring the concept to life.
“Watching this project come together has been inspiring,” said RioTECH Principal Dr. Kristopher Johnson. “We’re excited to welcome our first students and to be part of shaping a new model for high school education—one that’s rooted in relevance, hands-on learning, and real-world outcomes.”
RioTECH, with TECH as an acronym for Technical Education Career Hub, sits on a 23-acre piece of land at 7001 Zenith Court, with the buildings on it serving as the centers for vocational studies and careers. The new high school is specifically for students interested in skilled trade jobs.
The 70,000-square-foot facility boasts 18 hybrid classrooms, five industry-standard labs for trades, and two state-of-the-art computer labs. RioTECH will serve up to 250 RRPS students in grades 10-12 and will offer eight career pathways: Automotive Technology, Computer Information Systems (Networking), Digital Media, Plumbing and Gas Fitting, Residential Carpentry, Residential HVAC, Residential Wiring and Welding. Students will have the opportunity to earn certificates or associate degrees by graduation through a dual credit partnership with CNM.
“We are really proud of our Rio Rancho campus here with CNM, but this is a tremendous opportunity to do something different,” CNM President Tracy Hartzler said. “It took a leap of faith and commitment.”
The $55 million project was funded by local bond elections and an agreement between RRPS and CNM. The school aims to provide students with a seamless integration of technical training and core academics, eliminating the need for travel to off-site CTE programs.
“This school reflects the district’s unwavering commitment to providing students with real-world skills, hands-on learning experiences and clear pathways to high-demand careers right here in our own community,” RRPS Superintendent Dr. V. Sue Cleveland said.
The event drew dignitaries, including New Mexico Public Education Department Secretary Mariana Padilla and American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, who praised the innovative model and emphasized the importance of CTE programs. U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich visited the school last week and gifted an American flag that has flown over the U.S. Capitol. Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull also celebrated the opening, noting the community’s vision for an exceptional school district.
“Standing here right now, looking out across the crowd, this is why we’re called the City of Vision, because I can see so many people that were involved in this from the very beginning,” Hull said. “They gathered their vision together, and they said, we’re going to make the best school district in the state right here in Rio Rancho.”
RioTECH will open to students for the 2025-2026 school year. More information can be found at www.rrps.net/o/riotech.