The majority of elementary schools in Albuquerque have standard curricula that teach students about reading, writing, math, sciences and social studies. The schools are spread across the district in neighborhoods. The elementary schools also offer after school programs that can be free of charge or families may qualify for subsidies if the program charges a fee under Title 1 directives.
The district provides transportation to and from most of the schools for students who live more than one mile from the school. Elementary schools provide breakfast, lunch and snacks for nominal fees. Students may qualify for reduced or free lunch programs based on family income. Foster children receive free meals. The district posts the monthly menus online.
The APS has two magnet schools, each with a different focus. Coronado Elementary is a dual-language school that concentrates teaching children in Spanish, gradually introducing them to English as they pass through the grades. Ninety percent of the classes are conducted in Spanish starting in Kindergarten until the fourth grade, at which time teaching has evolved to 50 percent English and 50 percent Spanish.
The APS also offers other magnet school programs within five of its elementary schools. The distinct programs include literacy, fine arts, communications, science and technology. The schools include Zuni, Longfellow, Inez, Eubank and Lew Wallace Elementary School. Parents may need to find transportation to these schools for their children, since not all the magnet schools provide bus transportation.
Several charter schools operate under the APS district; only one exists for grades K through six. The Christine Duncan Charter School emphasizes high academic achievement in a dual-language setting, along with stressing environmental stewardship and family participation. The school has extended programs for exploration of dance, music, art and storytelling. Students can attend tutoring before and after the regular school day hours.
The state of New Mexico allows parents with at least a high school diploma to educate their children at home or hire tutors for home schooling. Students can participate in their local elementary school programs on a selective basis. Students or parents who want to transition their child into a regular elementary school can enroll the child at the Desert Willow Family School Alternative School. This school provides half-day programs that require parents to home school the child for at least 15 hours a week and the student attends the Desert Willow School for 27.5 hours per week. Parents need to provide transportation to this school for their children.