City: Albuquerque, NM

Category: Relocation

Telephone: (505) 828-3200

Address: 6400 Wyoming Boulevard NE

Description: Founded in 1955, this independent, college-preparatory day school educates nearly 1,095 students from sixth to twelfth grade. Originally a boys’ school, Albuquerque Academy opened its doors to girls in 1973, and classes are now an even 50/50 for boys and girls. Albuquerque Academy focuses on academic excellence, inclusiveness, accessibility, and community outreach. The school enjoys high national rankings: There were 33 National Merit Semifinalists in the class of 2008 and 31 in the class of 2009; 162 students in the class of 2008 accepted $4.7 million in merit-based college scholarships, from over $17 million offered.Albuquerque Academy’s 312-acre campus includes the Simms Library, with a collection of over 100,000 volumes, a science center, a visual arts studio, two gymnasiums, a swimming pool, and the Simms Center for the Performing Arts, which presents events that include Chamber Music Albuquerque concerts. The average class size is 14.5, with a student-to-teacher ratio of nine to one. Students are required to study the core disciplines of English, history, math, modern languages, science, and performing and visual arts through grade nine. They also join experiential education programs, which are mostly taught in New Mexico’s wilderness areas and around the Four Corners. All students participate in physical education or interscholastic athletics, and the school boasts 50 teams in around 20 sports, with 99 varsity athletics state championships under the school’s belt in the last four decades. Domestic and international exchange programs are also available.Youngsters enter Albuquerque Academy from over 100 schools in the Albuquerque area and beyond. Approximately 40 percent are students of color, with over 22 languages spoken in the homes of the class of 2015. There are 144 places available in grade six, with additional places added in older grades. The school has a $204 million endowment, and around a third of students receive financial aid totaling over $4 million a year.