1st Atrisco Heritage grads did NM proud

... THE CLASS of 2012 of Atrisco Heritage Academy, which graduated 10 years ago this May, faced high school with many challenges including not being in a building their freshman year and going through long-term construction until they graduated in 2012.

The class of 2012 turned these challenges into many successful days; and as the first graduating class of AHA they rose to the high bar we set for them in the face of many adversities. Challenges: Began in a Downtown courthouse, went to athletic practices at 5 a.m. at Milne Stadium, started school at 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., had PE outside on the plaza, wore school uniform shirts daily. Successes: This class had the highest graduation rate of all 89 high schools in New Mexico with similar demographics, which prompted a review of all transcripts because there was a question as to whether “these” students really did do this; and like the movie “Stand and Deliver,” no irregularities were found.

When NMPED was doing grades for schools, AHA class of 2012 and the cohort of the first four years, the school received a B grade (plus there were) constant student and community voices, family centers, advanced curriculum for all students including all students taking three years of a science, and two years of foreign language, development of a health clinic secured with grants from AHA and UNM, policy work with the Hispanic Bar, the first class in which all seniors did a career internship, development of a student police academy, to mention a few. These students were told early on their school should not be called an “academy” due to the ZIP code they lived in and student data that did not depict the strong academic and amazing students they were.

New Mexicans, let’s stop complaining about what’s wrong with our schools and our state’s educational system and celebrate what’s right and how we make significant changes for all kids in New Mexico. AHA class of 2012 was putting the principles of Yazzie/Martinez into practice well before the lawsuit . ...

Atrisco Heritage Academy, congrats on your 10-year reunion. You did it, our beautiful students, and you set the bar high. We celebrate your accomplishments not only 10 years ago but now in your roles as adults.