By Kevin Hendricks
East Mountain High School, a charter school in Sandia Park, was awarded a $10,000 grant at the fourth annual Building Hope IMPACT Summit in Miami. The summit, hosted by the non-profit Building Hope, recognized outstanding charter school contributions nationwide.
EMHS, one of the first charter schools in New Mexico, earned national recognition as the winner of the Model Charter Leadership Award.
“We’re thrilled to be in this position,” said Trey Smith, Executive Director, East Mountain High School. “Being recognized by Building Hope is an incredible honor and a reflection of our presence within our community.”
EMHS serves 402 students in grades 9-12. According to Building Hope, the school is known for its high attendance and graduation rates. Its mission emphasizes engaging a diverse community of learners through transformative experiences and creative problem-solving to develop forward-thinking leaders.
The school offers a comprehensive high school experience, featuring state champion Speech & Debate and baseball teams, a competitive robotics program, and a unique music initiative where students produce their own album. EMHS’ college-preparatory curriculum has earned it a National Blue Ribbon School designation, the highest recognition awarded by the U.S. Department of Education.
The Building Hope IMPACT Summit brings together charter school leaders and educators to celebrate excellence and address challenges in K-12 public education. The IMPACT Awards honor charter schools making a difference in their students’ lives and school communities. East Mountain High School’s recognition “highlights its dedication to high-quality, empowering, and innovative education,” according to Building Hope.
“For four years, Building Hope has been proud to create a space where charter leaders and the charter community may connect, innovate, and fuel the future of education. It is a transformative gathering of minds and missions,” said President and CEO of Building Hope William D. Hansen. “Every IMPACT grant winner is a blueprint for what is possible in education when vision and action meet. All of us at Building Hope are inspired by their dedication to uplifting students and communities through high-quality, empowering, innovative, and engaging education.”