Horizon Academy West (HAW) is a publically funded charter school that serves approximately 450 Kindergarten through 6th grade students on Albuquerque's westside.  We are located behind the Wal-Mart at Coors and Quail.  Our philosophy is that every child is unique and has individual educational needs.  We meet these needs through smaller class sizes and differentiation instructional methods.  Our major strength is in the school community we have built.  Our community consists of teachers, students, family members, administration staff, and governing council members striving for student success inside and outside the classroom.  We have been operating since 2003 and have made Average Yearly Performance (AYP) each year of operation.  During the first five years of operation, we were authorized by the Albuquerque Public Schools (APS).  Our charter has recently been renewed and we are currently operating under the New Mexico Public Education Commission (NM PEC).  We are proud to be one of the first 4 schools to be chartered under the state.  Our Governing Council (school board) consists of 5 voting members, who are currently all parents of children who attend HAW, 3 administrative staff members, and one teacher.

Charter school is not for everyone.  It is a choice that is available to all families, based on the state mandated lottery process.  Many people have misconceptions of charter schools in general.  Charter schools are publically funded and do not charge tuition.  Acceptance into a charter school requires going through a lottery process in which each applicant is given an equal chance to be chosen for admission.  Charter schools have more flexibility in the methods of instruction, however they are bound by the same standards and assessments as all traditional public schools.  Many people assume that only troubled students attend charter schools.  In reality, there is a wide variety of students from many different backgrounds who attend charter schools.  Not every charter school is right for every student.  However, charter schools give parents a choice of education for their children.  This is a choice that we are proud to provide.

Horizon Academy West has a commitment to educational excellence, and our staff is dedicated to providing a rigorous, creative, well-rounded education for a geographically, economically, racially and diverse student body.

Our school is committed to helping each student master his or her subjects, learn to think critically and creatively along with understanding the values and traditions that underlie our society.

We believe that students have different needs at different developmental stages, and bring with them different lifestyles and cultural backgrounds. Students will learn through active participation and Horizon Academy West envisions a vibrant community of students and teachers, responsible to each other.

Our institution will provide an environment that fosters the professional growth of a dedicated and diverse faculty as they generate a foundation in learning and achievement for every student.

We will encourage teacher creativity and initiative, understand and support the whole child, attract and support a diverse student body along with achieving a school community that is socially responsible.