East Mountain High School will expand to include a middle school program beginning with sixth grade in the 2026-2027 school year.
The Albuquerque Public Schools charter school in Sandia Park has opened its enrollment lottery for the new program, which will be housed in a standalone building on the East Mountain High School campus. Construction is scheduled for completion in July 2026.
“This project has been years in the making,” said Trey Smith, executive director of East Mountain Schools. “We are proud to grow our community and look forward to welcoming the first class of middle school students in 2026.”
The middle school will follow the same curriculum model as the high school, emphasizing academic excellence, creativity and social-emotional growth through inquiry-based learning, according to school officials.
“Bringing East Mountain’s inquiry-based curriculum to middle school will give students a strong foundation and help them prepare for high school, college, and beyond,” said Margi Miranda, principal of East Mountain Middle School.
Students will benefit from smaller class sizes and expanded opportunities to explore their interests, Miranda said.
The expansion comes as East Mountain High School was recently named “Excellent School of the Year” by the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce.
Applications for the middle school lottery will close Nov. 14. More information is available at eastmountain.org.
Founded in 1999, East Mountain High School was among the first charter schools authorized in New Mexico.
