CNM and Albuquerque Institute of Mathematics & Science Partner to Open an AIMS Location on CNM’s Westside Campus

New location will increase access to students and families seeking a high-quality college prep experience at an affordable cost
February 08, 2024

Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) and the Albuquerque Institute of Mathematics and Science (AIMS) charter school are partnering to open a new AIMS location on CNM’s Westside Campus, making the highly regarded charter school more accessible to more Bernalillo County families. Currently, the only AIMS location is on the University of New Mexico Main Campus.

The additional location for AIMS on the west side of Albuquerque will provide its students with abundant opportunities to take tuition-free, dual credit CNM classes that count for both high school and college credit, providing an outstanding and affordable college preparatory experience on a college campus. The new AIMS location is scheduled to open in August 2025 for the 2025-26 school year. For the first year, there will be one 6th grade class and one 9th grade class established at the location, then more grade levels will be added in subsequent years.

"This partnership was a natural progression for us,” said AIMS Principal Kathy Sandoval-Snider. “Charters are ‘Mission Driven’ educational institutions. Our Charter requires that our students take a minimum of 24 college credit hours in order to graduate, six of which must be in math and science. The vast majority of our students begin their dual credit journey at CNM.”

CNM’s Westside Campus is located in Ventana Ranch on 109 acres. The full-service campus provides free access to advising, tutoring, library services, computer labs, and more. A wide range of classes are offered as dual credit opportunities for high school grades 9-12, including the areas of math, science, business, information technology, medical fields, liberal arts and many more.

“We’re excited about this partnership with AIMS because it’s going to expand access to a highly valuable college experience for our youth in Bernalillo County,” said CNM President Tracy Hartzler. “At CNM, we’re always seeking partnerships like this one that benefit our community and help more young people, as well as adults, access higher education and training opportunities that put them on a path to a good career and a good life. We look forward to welcoming AIMS students, teachers and staff to our Westside Campus in 2025.”