Defying Trends: East Mountain High Sees Record Enrollment and Historic Funding Surge

ALBUQUERQUE — East Mountain High School leaders and state officials gathered at the Albuquerque Museum on Thursday to celebrate a historic expansion and a record-breaking $1.5 million in state capital outlay funding.

The “Partnership Breakfast” event highlighted the school’s transition to a 6-12 grade model and recognized the public and private partners fueling the growth of what supporters called the “best public school in the state.” East Mountain High School is currently ranked No. 1 in the Albuquerque Area (and No. 2 statewide) by Niche for 2026.

“We are celebrating the partners who have helped us with our expansion work financially, but also from a programmatic point of view,” said Dr. Trey Smith, Executive Director of East Mountain High School. “The education experiences happening at our school are unique in the state… and we want to make sure anyone who wants to be a part of it can be.”

Historic Funding and Political Support

The school is riding a wave of momentum following the 2026 legislative session, having secured the largest capital outlay allocation of any charter school in New Mexico history.

The funding includes a landmark $1 million contribution from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham—the first time a sitting New Mexico governor has directed capital outlay funds specifically to a charter school. Additional support came from Rep. Stefani Lord (R-Sandia Park), who contributed $300,000, Sen. Anthony Thornton ($200,000), and Rep. Meredith Dixon ($50,000).

Rep. Lord, whose District 22 encompasses the East Mountain communities, praised the school’s track record.

“Our schools are of the utmost importance, especially in the East Mountains,” Lord said. “They get great results. I’m very proud of them… [East Mountain] is a stellar example of how schools can be better in the state of New Mexico.”

Alumni Impact

The event featured University of New Mexico Athletic Director Ryan Berryman, a 2011 East Mountain graduate who now serves as the President of the school’s Foundation.

Berryman credited the school for preparing him for a rapid career trajectory that took him from a $500-a-semester graduate assistant to a lead role at the state’s largest university.

“Going to East Mountain changed my life in a lot of ways,” Berryman said. “My first class at UNM was twice the size of East Mountain High School, but I felt prepared based on the experiences I had, especially in athletics.”

Scaling Success

While much of the state faces declining enrollment, Smith noted that East Mountain is seeing its highest enrollment and waitlists in its 26-year history. The school recently reported the highest literacy growth and second-highest math growth of any high school in New Mexico.

The expansion is further supported by a construction loan from Educational Facilities Finance (EFF) and over $500,000 in grant support from Excellent Schools New Mexico.

“When something is working at this level, the answer isn’t to admire it—it’s to grow it,” said Scott Hindman of Excellent Schools New Mexico, who was presented with an award 3D-printed by students and delivered by a student-designed robot.

The school announced a groundbreaking ceremony is planned for May, with Governor Lujan Grisham expected to attend. Smith concluded the event by kicking off a capital campaign, urging community members to “be part of building something that will outlast all of us.”

Official East Mountain High School Press Release

SANDIA PARK, – East Mountain is celebrating a landmark moment in its continued growth and expansion, following the close of the 2026 New Mexico legislative session.

 The school has been awarded more than $1.5 million in capital outlay funding—marking the largest allocation to any school in the state this year and one of the most significant single-school investments in New Mexico history.

The funding reflects strong, bipartisan support for East Mountain’s proven track record of student achievement and its ambitious plans to expand access to high-quality education in the region.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham contributed $1 million toward the project—representing the first time a sitting governor has directed capital outlay funding to a charter school in New Mexico. Additional contributions include $300,000 from Rep. Stefani Lord, $200,000 from Sen. Anthony Thornton, and $50,000 from Rep. Meredith Dixon.

“We are deeply grateful for the leadership and belief in our mission shown by these elected officials,” said Dr. Trey Smith, Executive Director of East Mountain. “This level of investment signals a shared commitment to ensuring more New Mexico students have access to schools that are delivering strong results.”

Governor Grisham has also expressed strong enthusiasm for the project and has requested to attend a groundbreaking ceremony in May. East Mountain will be announcing additional details about the event in the coming weeks.

In addition to public funding, East Mountain’s Foundation has successfully closed on a major construction loan with Educational Facilities Finance (EFF), one of the nation’s most respected and competitive lenders dedicated exclusively to supporting public charter school facilities.

EFF is known for its rigorous underwriting standards, long-term partnership approach, and track record of financing high-performing schools across the country. Securing financing through EFF is a strong external validation of East Mountain’s financial health, governance, and long-term sustainability.

 “Financing a project of this scale in a rural mountain community comes with unique challenges,” Smith added. “But the combination of state investment, philanthropic support, and strategic financing has positioned us to move forward with confidence.”

The expansion project will support East Mountain’s continued growth, including the development of new facilities designed to serve students and families across the region for generations to come. Community support has played a critical role in reaching this milestone, reflecting a shared vision for what is possible in public education.