EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Las Cruces Public Schools says three of its schools were recently recognized by the New Mexico Public Education Department for their improved graduation outcomes.
LCPS said that Arrowhead Park Early College High School, Rio Grande Preparatory Institute and Organ Mountain High School were recognized by the state as part of the release of Cohort 2024 data.
Cohort 2024 is for students who began ninth grade in the 2020-2021 school year.
Statewide, 78.04% of students in the 2024 cohort graduated within four years. This marks the highest graduation rate and the largest number of graduates (20,375 students) New Mexico has seen in the past 15 years, LCPS said in its news release.
Locally, LCPS has consistently outperformed the state, maintaining graduation rates above 80% in most years, the district said.
In the 2024 cohort, Arrowhead Park Early College High School, Rio Grande Preparatory Institute, and Organ Mountain High School stood out for “their high graduation rates and notable improvements over the previous year,” the district said.
“These results are a testament to the unwavering dedication of our teachers, counselors, administrators, families, and — most importantly — our students,” LCPS Superintendent Ignacio Ruiz said. “We are proud to see our schools leading the way in graduation success and preparing students for college, careers, and beyond.”
The New Mexico PED credited strong school practices across the state for this year’s progress, including:
- Close monitoring of student credit accumulation
- Use of early warning systems to support at-risk students
- Data-informed school improvement plans
- Participation in career and technical education (CTE) programs
- Emphasis on Next Step Plans to guide students’ goals early in high school
Arrowhead Park and Rio Grande Preparatory Institute have long emphasized personalized learning environments and career readiness, LCPS said in its news release.
Organ Mountain High School has implemented “targeted interventions and support systems to help students meet their goals and stay engaged through graduation,” the district said.
More information about New Mexico’s graduation data and the Public Education Department’s Strategic Plan can be found at https://webnew.ped.state.nm.us.
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