NM State Graduation Rates Improve, AHS Outperforms with STEM, AP and Career Education Enhancements

Student graduation performance for the state of New Mexico is showing a continued trend of improvement with dramatic results in schools that offer career planning and vocational technical programs.

Alamogordo Public Schools began an effort to enhance Vo-Tech or Career Education with Amanda Jewell, as a prior school board member, championing enhancing buildings trades among several programs she was involved with expanding during her tenure on the school board.

The state numbers are proof that this path forward is effective as the most recent numbers released from the NMPED shows the progress, that while New Mexico overall has lagged behind some other states, the data shows that New Mexico’s Career Technical Education (CTE) or Vo-Tech students have a particularly high graduation rate, at 95.77%. That program combines technical and occupational training alongside traditional classwork.

“The 2023 graduation data is a testament to the power of practical, skills-based learning. When students view education as a pathway to a successful career, they are more engaged,” New Mexico Public Education Secretary Arsenio Romero said in a press release and as reported by KRQE.“The PED will continue to develop our career technical programs and promote them to schools and districts.”

The 2023 cohort of all high school seniors had a graduation rate of 76.7%. That’s similar to the rate over the last four years. Alamogordo High School shows a graduation rate of 86% well above the state average.

While overall rates have increased by about 42% since the 2008 cohort, the graduation rates of Hispanic students and Native American students increased even more, at 52% and 64.5% respectively.

GreatSchools.org reports that students at Alamogordo High school are making more academic progress from one grade to the next compared to students at other schools in the state.

This school is above the state average in key measures of college and career readiness with 24% of enrollment participating in AP Classe or about 342 students last year. 

AHS Students AP STEM focused students are excelling via existing programs. Alamogordo High School outperformed the State of New Mexico in the Advanced Placement Biology and Advanced Placement Statistics Exams and surpassed the Global Passing Rate for AP Biology for 2024. 

AP Statistics for Alamogordo High School 2024

New Mexico State passing rate: 32.6%

Alamogordo High School Passing Rate: 50%

For AP Biology

Global passing rate: 68.3%

New Mexico State passing rate: 57.2%

Alamogordo High School Passing Rate: 82%

According to the NMPED overall rates have increased by about 42% since the 2008 cohort, the graduation rates of Hispanic students and Native American students increased even more, at 52% and 64.5% respectively.

“The Public Education Department is focused on improving graduation rates through various evidence-based strategies including extended learning time programs, community schools, expanding career and technical education and work-based learning options, improving attendance, providing social-emotional learning, and expanding behavioral health initiatives and culturally and linguistically responsive instruction,” said a NMPED spokesperson when asked for comment by AlamogordoTownNews.com via a written statement. 

The facts are Alamogordo High School continues to build among a variety of programs that are improving student outcomes from STEM, AP, Culinary Arts and other Career Development programs and continues to drive higher graduation rates and student achievement. 

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