A great public school can change the path of a child’s life. In New Mexico, where many families struggle, a great school will transform an entire community.
One student who knows this firsthand is Ariel Garcia, a (insert grade) grader at Hózhó Academy in Gallup, New Mexico. Ariel once attended a low-performing school. At home, she watched her older brother struggle with addiction. But when she enrolled in a school that meets her needs and believes in her potential, her future began to look different. Today, Ariel is a member of the National Honor Society and plans to attend college.
She will tell you that a great school FOREVER changed her life.
Hózhó Academy is one of the high-performing public charter schools supported by Excellent Schools New Mexico. Our nonprofit starts, grows, and strengthens schools that serve students well, especially in at-risk communities.
We do more than believe in great schools, we invest in them. Excellent Schools New Mexico provides funding, training, and hands-on support to entrepreneurs who to turn good ideas into great schools.
Together, these schools will serve nearly 14,000 students – once they grow to full capacity – across New Mexico, and the results show what’s possible. Nearly 95% of their students show significant growth in achievement scores and vastly outperform state averages in math and reading.
Because of our work, Excellent Schools New Mexico is the proud recipient of the 2026 Daniels Fund Medal of Excellence. The award includes a $250,000 grant to expand our impact across the state. The Daniels Fund, founded by cable television pioneer Bill Daniels, supports nonprofits that make a real difference in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.
The Daniels Fund was one of Excellent Schools New Mexico’s earliest supporters. Receiving this honor during the organization’s 10th anniversary makes it even more meaningful. The award is not just recognition; it is a call to do more for New Mexico’s children.
That work is urgent. New Mexico continues to rank among the states with the highest poverty rates and is las
t in education. Too many families are unaware that they have choices when it comes to their child’s future.
When families can choose a great school – whether it’s a free public charter school or district school – that meets their children’s needs, student outcomes rise, graduation rates increase, and children gain greater access to future opportunities.
For New Mexico, it is not about creating something new, but about expanding what works. We’ve shown it is possible to create high-preforming schools using proven, data-driven strategies with flexible learning approaches, strong partnerships with families, and innovative school leaders who put students first. We can change lives – one child, one family, and one community at a time.
Excellent Schools New Mexico will use this award to support more great public schools like Hózhó Academy and help more students like Ariel Garcia.
By investing in great schools, we are investing in New Mexico’s future.
