High School
Welcome to East Mountain
We are thrilled to expand our educational offerings with the addition of a middle school, serving grades 6–8, opening in Fall 2026. The new facility will be located on our current campus, providing a seamless transition for students.
Programs Offered
- Inquiry-Based Curriculum: Fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Small Class Sizes: Ensuring personalized attention and support.
- Leadership Development: Encouraging students to take initiative and build confidence.
Our Values
Aligned with our high school, the middle school will emphasize academic excellence, creativity, and social-emotional growth.
Gallery
Start Your Journey with East Mountain
Where learning is an adventure and every student thrives.
Middle School
Welcome to EM Future Middle School
The premier 6-12 education experience
Sixth graders will be added to our campus by Fall 2026. We are excited to begin construction on our new facility that will house a new multi-purpose space, a new learning commons, and middle school classrooms.
When a student is accepted through the 6th grade lottery, they will be guaranteed a spot for the next 7 years at East Mountain, the best charter school in the state of New Mexico.
Our middle school program is defined by inquiry-based academics, leadership opportunities, a supportive environment, and outdoor learning experiences.
Any teachers or staff interested in employment opportunities for the new middle school can email Trey Smith.
Check back here for exciting updates!
Middle School Plan & Perspective
This document outlines “EAST MOUNTAIN’S SCHOOL – PHASE 1” with a floor plan (Option 3.1) and perspectives.
The floor plan on page 1 details:
- Classrooms: 2 small classrooms (400 SF each, 20 capacity/class, total 40 capacity) and 14 medium classrooms (600 SF each, 30 capacity/class, total 350 capacity).
- Total Capacity: 390 students.
- Gross SF: 27,302 SF.
- Key Areas: Includes administrative offices (Assistant Principal, Principal, Admin & Reception), conference/seminar room, science storage, general storage, circulation (3,466 SF), custodial, mechanical, electrical, kitchen (1,400 SF), staff restrooms, women’s and men’s restrooms, multipurpose performance and assembly (4,200 SF), librarian/learning commons (4,134 SF), music classroom (1,400 SF) with practice rooms and storage, and an MDF room.
Page 2 provides perspectives of the school from:
- Multipurpose Room from Green Commons
- La Madera (South Elevation)
- Student Drop-off (South East Corner)
- Connection to Existing Buildings (Northwest Corner)
- Main Entrance
Both pages are dated 09/10/24 and credit SMPC Architects.
FAQs
General Information
Why is the high school expanding to include a middle school?
East Mountain High School has established itself as a leader in the charter school community. By adding a middle school, we aim to engage students earlier in our academic programming, enhance their preparedness for high school, and provide a clear, consistent pathway from middle to high school within the same educational environment.
What grades will the new school include?
The new middle school will serve sixth, seventh and eighth-grade students.
When will the middle school officially open?
The middle school will begin classes in the Fall of 2026 with a cohort of 90 6th graders. 7th and 8th grades will be available by Fall of 2027.
Will the middle and high schools operate separately or together?
The middle and high schools will operate as one cohesive institution under a shared Executive Director and Governing Council, while maintaining separate teaching faculty.
Where will the middle school be located?
The middle school will be located on the same campus as East Mountain High School, housed in a separate building.
Admissions & Enrollment
How do I enroll my child in the new middle school?
The application will open in October 2025 and will be available at Eastmountain.org.
Is there a waitlist or lottery system?
Yes. East Mountain is a public charter school and enrolls new students through a lottery process.
Will there be any entry requirements or placement tests?
No. There are no entry requirements or placement tests for students applying to the middle school.
Will the new middle school impact the high school lottery?
Students enrolled with a 6th grade spot are then guaranteed a spot in the high school.
Can I enroll at the middle school but not the high school?
Yes. Enrollment in the middle school does not require continued enrollment in the high school.
Can I enroll at the high school but not the middle school?
Yes. Students can apply directly to the high school regardless of whether they attended the middle school.
How are siblings impacted?
Siblings of current East Mountain High School students receive preference in the admissions process. If a Lottery Enrollment Form is submitted by the deadline, those siblings are exempt from the random drawing. Visit eastmountain.org for more details.
Academics
What kind of curriculum will the middle school follow?
East Mountain’s curriculum is rooted in inquiry-based learning. Students will benefit from small class sizes, leadership and enrichment opportunities, and a supportive environment focused on academic and social-emotional growth.
Will middle school students have access to high school-level courses or facilities?
Yes. As needed, some 8th grade students may be able to take high school level courses for high school credit. Middle school students will be able to access Vista Grande Community Center. The new building will contain two community spaces, the multi-purpose room and library, that will be utilized by both high school and middle school students.
Are there gifted, special education, or ESL services?
Yes. East Mountain provides services for gifted students, special education, and English as a Second Language (ESL) learners.
Student Life & Extracurriculars
Will middle school students have access to sports programs and extracurricular activities?
Yes. 8th graders may compete in NMAA athletics. 6th and 7th grade students may participate in intramural sports as available.
Will middle and high school students interact during the school day?
While the middle and high school students will share the same campus, their daily schedules, classes, and core activities will be kept separate to ensure appropriate learning environments. However, there may be staff-monitored opportunities for interaction through shared events, clubs, or enrichment programs.
Transportation & Logistics
Will transportation be provided for middle school students?
Yes. Bus pickups will be available and more information will be available on eastmountain.org.
What are the school hours for the middle school?
School hours are being finalized and will be shared with families ahead of the 2026–2027 school year.
Will middle and high school students ride the same buses?
Yes
Communication
How will parents stay informed about middle school events and updates?
Updates will be regularly shared through eastmountain.org and the Family Portal on our website.
Who do I contact with questions about the middle school?
Stacy Sesnie, family liaison, stacy@eastmountainhigh.net
Construction & Facilities
What is the construction timeline?
A standalone modular building will be utilized to house the 6th grade in the Fall 2026 school year. Construction on the new 27,000 sq. ft facility will begin with parking lot work in December 2025. The new construction is scheduled for completion by March 2027.
Who is the architect and contractor?
SMPC Architects and Franken Contractor are leading the design and construction.
Will construction affect current high school operations?
No. Construction activities will be managed to avoid disruption of the high school’s daily operations.
Where is the new middle school building being constructed?
The middle school building will be located in the current main parking lot, on the southwest portion of the campus.
What new facilities or upgrades are being added to the high school?
We continue to upgrade the existing high school classroom buildings. The Sunflower Pavilion was recently completed to allow for more seating options during lunch. The exterior of the portable buildings were painted in the Summer of 2025. Additional classroom spaces are also being constructed on the high school side.
How is the school ensuring safety during construction?
All construction zones will be securely fenced and off-limits to students and staff. Safety protocols will be strictly enforced throughout the process.
Will students or staff be temporarily relocated during construction?
No. All current school operations will continue in their existing locations.
Are there plans for additional construction phases in the future?
As finances allow, additional upgrades will be added to the new building, including additional kitchen equipment, audio-visual equipment for performances, and additional finishes for classrooms.
How is this being paid for?
The expansion is funded through public school capital funds.
Governance & Operations (Charter School Specific)
Who is responsible for overseeing the new middle school?
The middle school will operate under East Mountain High School’s Executive Director, Trey Smith and our senior leadership team.
Will the middle school have its own staff and administration?
There will be a shared administrative staff between the middle and high schools. Most faculty will specialize in either middle school or high school.
Will the middle school operate under the same charter as the high school?
Yes. Both schools will operate under the same charter, maintaining a unified mission and governance structure.
Will there be changes to the school’s charter to accommodate the expansion?
No changes to the charter are required for this expansion.
Who approves the expansion – is it the state charter board, district authorizer, or another body?
The expansion was approved by the East Mountain High School Governing Council and the Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) Board in 2023.
Will the EMHS Governing Council change or expand with this addition?
Adjustments to the Governing Council structure will be made as needed to support both schools and ensure continued community representation.
Stakeholder Concerns & Community Involvement
How were parents, students, and community members involved in the decision to expand?
Surveys and community input sessions have been conducted over the past 5 years to assess the demand for middle school grades in this area of the East Mountain community. Substantial community input was provided to the Albuquerque Public Schools board in preparation for the board’s approval in 2023. Surveys of current families indicate 100% intend to enroll their younger siblings in the middle school.
Will the expansion impact school culture or values? How will that be preserved?
East Mountain High School remains committed to its core values: Collaboration, Integrity, Reflection, Curiosity, and Empathy. These values are central to the design of the middle school experience as well.
Where am I going to park?
A new parking lot is being designed and will be completed prior to the start of construction on the middle school building.
Gallery
Coming Soon: Visual insights into our new middle school facilities and programs.
Start Your Journey with East Mountain
Where learning is an adventure and every student thrives.