ACES Technical Charter School
General Information
Overview
ACES Technical Charter School, often referred to as ACES Tech, is a public, tuition-free charter school located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, designed to provide a rigorous, engaging, and career-focused education to students across multiple grade levels. Built on a STEM-centered foundation, the school integrates project-based learning, hands-on activities, and real-world applications to help students master both academic content and technical skill sets. Through its innovative instructional structure, ACES Tech promotes creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving by allowing students to explore independent passions during designated creative learning blocks while still receiving strong guidance and mentorship from faculty.
Alongside its academic focus, the school incorporates character education and mindfulness into daily routines to support students’ social-emotional development. ACES Tech also offers opportunities for students to earn professional, industry-recognized certifications that can prepare them for immediate entry into technical fields or continued success in higher education. With small class sizes and personalized attention, the school aims to create a learning environment that fosters curiosity, ambition, and strong academic performance.
Contact Information
Address: 4501 Montgomery Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109
Phone Number: (505) 506-1186
Email Address: General inquiries handled through ACES Public Schools communication offices
School Facts
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founding Year | Established under its current charter framework around 2019 |
| Authorized Grades | Approved to serve grades K–12 |
| Enrollment Capacity | Authorized enrollment up to approximately 875 students |
| Mission | To provide a challenging and exciting education that prepares students for college and career success |
| Values / Motto | Ambition, Commitment, Excellence, Scholarship |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | Approximately 10:1 |
ACES Technical Charter School Rankings
| Type | Ranking |
|---|---|
| State (New Mexico) | Ranked within the top 50% of public schools in the state |
| School Quality Rating | Receives strong marks for academics, teachers, and diversity |
| National / Global Rankings | Not applicable, as ACES Tech is a K–12 charter school |
ACES Technical Charter School Academics
ACES Technical Faculties / Departments
- English Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- Humanities
- Fine Arts (including Music)
- Global Languages
- Health and Physical Education
- Career Readiness and Technical Certification
ACES Technical Courses and Programs / Majors
- Core academic courses (Math, Science, English, Humanities)
- Project-based STEM labs
- Robotics and engineering fundamentals
- Computer programming and coding
- Music instruction, including required guitar literacy for all students
- Career and technical certification programs
- Dual-credit college course opportunities for upper-grade students
Online Learning
ACES Technical Charter School primarily emphasizes in-person learning through project-based instruction, collaborative STEM environments, and hands-on labs. While technology plays an important role in daily classes, the school does not operate as a fully online or virtual-learning campus. Instead, ACES Tech focuses on building strong classroom engagement, mentoring, and face-to-face support to enhance student growth and achievement.
Average Test Scores
ACES Tech does not publish standardized averages such as SAT, ACT, or GRE scores, since it operates as a K–12 charter school rather than a testing-dependent university or selective admissions institution.
Retention and Graduation Rates
As a relatively new charter school still expanding its grade levels, ACES Tech’s long-term graduation and retention statistics are limited. The school has increased its enrollment steadily over the years and continues growing toward its full K–12 capacity. Its retention focus centers on personalized learning, small class sizes, mentorship, and supportive, community-based academic practices designed to keep students engaged and motivated.
ACES Technical Charter School Admissions
GPA Range and SAT / ACT Range
ACES Technical Charter School does not use GPA, SAT, or ACT scores as part of admissions. Enrollment is determined through an open, lottery-based system and does not require academic prerequisites.
ACES Technical Acceptance Rate
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Admissions Method | Open-enrollment lottery |
| Acceptance Rate | Not fixed; acceptance depends on available space and lottery results |
ACES Technical Application Requirements
Admissions to ACES Tech are designed to be accessible, inclusive, and free of academic barriers. Families complete a standard application during the open enrollment period, after which a randomized lottery is used if applications exceed available space. No essays, interviews, test scores, or GPA information are required. The school is committed to serving all students equally and does not discriminate based on disability, race, socioeconomic status, or prior academic achievement. Once selected, families complete follow-up registration forms, provide necessary documentation, and participate in any orientation activities to ensure a smooth school entry process.
Application Process
- Submit the application during the open enrollment window.
- Enter the lottery if applications exceed available seats.
- Receive notification of acceptance or placement on the waitlist.
- Confirm the offered seat within the required response period.
- Complete enrollment paperwork and attend any onboarding or orientation events.
ACES Technical Application Deadlines / Important Dates
| Event | Time Period |
|---|---|
| Open Application Window | Typically January–March |
| Open Enrollment Period | Spring–Summer (space dependent) |
| Parent Response Deadline | Approximately two weeks after acceptance notification |
Essay Prompt
There is no essay requirement for admission to ACES Technical Charter School.
ACES Technical Scholarships
Because ACES Technical Charter School is a public, tuition-free institution, scholarships are not necessary for enrollment. All academic offerings are provided without tuition costs to families.
ACES Technical Tuition Fee (Costs)
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | Free (public charter school) |
| Additional Costs | Some extracurricular or activity fees may apply, but core programs are publicly funded |
Student Profile and Demographics
Student Demographics
ACES Technical Charter School serves a diverse student body of approximately 161 students. The student population includes a gender distribution of roughly 64% male and 36% female. The racial and ethnic composition reflects a highly multicultural school community, with a majority of students identifying as Hispanic or Latino, along with representation from Black or African American, White, Native American, Asian, and multiracial groups. The wide range of backgrounds contributes to a rich learning environment where students encounter multiple perspectives and cultural experiences, fostering understanding, empathy, and inclusiveness across the campus community.
Low-Income Students / Students with Disabilities
As a public charter school, ACES Technical Charter School welcomes students from all economic levels and provides services without regard to income. The open-enrollment model ensures that students from low-income households have equal access to high-quality education. The school also supports students with disabilities through individualized education plans, accommodations, and specialized support services to ensure that all learners have the opportunity to meet academic goals and participate fully in the school community.
Student Body
| Category | Number / Percentage |
|---|---|
| Total Students | Approximately 161 |
| Classroom Teachers | About 16 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | Approximately 10:1 |
| Minority Enrollment | Approximately 86% |
University Diversity
The student body at ACES Technical Charter School represents one of the strongest elements of the school’s identity. With culturally, linguistically, and ethnically diverse backgrounds, ACES Tech creates a learning environment enriched by different perspectives and lived experiences. This diversity contributes to vibrant classroom discussions, collaborative group work, and a school culture grounded in acceptance and representation. The school promotes cultural awareness through activities, curriculum choices, and professional development designed to ensure instruction is inclusive and reflective of its student population. Teachers and staff work deliberately to foster belonging and to ensure that students from all backgrounds see themselves respected and valued. This inclusive foundation strongly supports the school’s mission to prepare students for real-world environments where adaptability, communication, and respect for different cultures are essential.
Average Earnings
As a K–12 charter institution, ACES Technical Charter School does not measure student success using post-graduation earnings the way higher education institutions do. Instead, the school equips students with technical certifications, academic skills, and STEM-based competencies that can influence their future earnings potential. By helping students earn industry-recognized credentials before graduation, ACES Tech positions them to enter the workforce with practical, employable skills or transition seamlessly into specialized programs or higher education. This focus on early technical preparation can open doors to well-paying fields in engineering, technology, or skilled trades, giving students a strong foundation for long-term financial stability once they pursue higher education or vocational pathways.
ACES Technical Charter School Faculty and Staff
Teachers and Staff
ACES Technical Charter School maintains a dedicated faculty of about 16 classroom teachers along with administrative and support staff. Their small-school model ensures that each student receives individualized attention and ongoing academic guidance. Teachers collaborate across departments to build project-based learning units, support STEM-focused educational experiences, and deliver strong academic instruction. Staff members are selected for their expertise, commitment to student achievement, and ability to work within a highly collaborative educational environment.
Faculty Profiles
Faculty members at ACES Tech bring experience in STEM education, project-based learning, and technical instruction. Many teachers specialize in math, science, robotics, computer programming, and engineering, supporting the school’s mission to prepare students for careers in high-demand technical fields. Educators integrate hands-on investigation, creative problem-solving, and real-world application into their lessons, helping students develop strong critical thinking skills. Teachers also contribute to students’ social-emotional learning through mentorship, character-building activities, and mindfulness practices. Leadership teams work closely with staff to maintain consistent academic quality, deepen community partnerships, and connect students with career opportunities and certification pathways.
ACES Technical Charter School Campus and Student Life
Campus Life / Housing
ACES Technical Charter School operates as a day school and does not offer on-campus housing, as students commute from local neighborhoods. The campus environment is centered on classrooms equipped for STEM activities, hands-on project labs, music instruction spaces, and collaborative learning zones. Students participate in various school-day experiences ranging from core academic classes to creative electives and technical skills training. Campus life emphasizes community building, leadership development, academic engagement, and opportunities for students to explore their interests in both structured and independent project settings.
Transportation
The school provides transportation options for families who require bus service, making access to the school manageable for students across the Albuquerque area. Its location on Montgomery Blvd NE offers convenient access to major city routes, improving commute efficiency. On-campus mobility is smooth and straightforward, as the school layout is designed to create easy transitions between classrooms, labs, and activity areas. The transportation system, combined with the school’s accessible location, helps ensure that students from various neighborhoods can attend regularly and benefit fully from the school’s academic and extracurricular programs.