Save Alma has announced that Alma d’Arte Charter High School is allegedly violating its charter, as well as state and federal laws. The organization is calling for accountability from the New Mexico Public Education Commission and the Public Education Department. This announcement was made in a press release.
According to Save Alma, the school has repeatedly failed to meet charter, state, and federal requirements despite corrective action taken in April 2024. The group claims that the school has not submitted required compliance documents for three consecutive years. Save Alma also cites staff and student departures, misleading information, and violations of transparency laws as ongoing issues. They point to poor performance in special education and safety as additional concerns. Save Alma is calling for accountability measures, including revocation reviews and stricter adherence to laws. Alma d'Arte is expected to appear before the Public Education Commission on February 21, 2025, to address its ongoing noncompliance.
The New Mexico Public Education Department’s Office of Special Education issued a report on July 12, 2024, following an investigation into a complaint filed on April 16, 2024. The investigation focused on whether Alma d’Arte Charter High School complied with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) regulations. The findings revealed excessive student absences, poor academic performance, and delays in addressing a student's needs despite documented health issues and requests for a Section 504 plan.
According to the State of New Mexico Public Education Department’s 2023-24 Annual Report, Alma d'Arte Charter High School in Las Cruces serves grades 9-12 but faces academic challenges. These include low performance in reading, math, and science, along with low graduation rates leading to a "Does Not Meet" designation for two consecutive years. Despite some financial improvements, the school continues to struggle with its Corrective Action Plan and has not met its mission goals related to arts integration and apprenticeships.
Save Alma is described as a group of educators, staff members, parents, students, and community members aiming to remove the current administration at Alma d'Arte Charter High School. Their goal is to restore the school’s focus on arts education as originally intended while addressing concerns about student well-being and safety under current leadership.
