ADMISSION
We Show Up
Albuquerque Academy shows up for students and families. Apply now!
Every day, Albuquerque Academy students are discovering new interests, pursuing their passions, and contributing to our community. And every year, we’re looking for more students who are naturally curious and passionate about learning to join us.
We believe the admission process should feel like the beginning of something meaningful, not just a series of steps, but a chance to learn more about who we are and what matters most to your family. As you move through this process, you’ll discover our mission and values, explore our academic and extracurricular opportunities, and begin to understand what it means to be part of the Academy community. Just as importantly, you’ll have the chance to reflect on your child — how they learn, what excites them, and the kind of environment in which they will thrive.
Early Decision or Regular Decision
If Albuquerque Academy is your family’s top choice, early decision is for you! Early decision is available to students who are applying to the 6th grade, are siblings of current Academy students, or are siblings of students applying to 6th grade. This exclusive commitment means your student will not be applying to other independent schools during this early period. In turn, we will review your student’s application during our early decision process, with an admission decision released by December 11. If applicable, your tuition assistance application will also be considered as part of the early decision process. This can provide a wonderful sense of relief, allowing your family to enter the new year with a clear plan and less stress about your child’s next school.
All others are invited to submit their application following the regular decision schedule.
Affording the Academy
Tuition for the 2026-27 school year is $30,118, which covers the academic experience, lunch, and most extracurricular activities, sports, and clubs. About 25% of Albuquerque Academy students receive tuition assistance that covers 100% of their demonstrated financial need. These annual grants range from a few hundred dollars to full tuition awards. Financial support is typically renewed for students who reapply each year. Learn more about tuition assistance.
Application Checklist
Your ChargerHub admission portal gives you access to everything you need to complete your child’s application. Set up your ChargerHub account, then start with the first three steps on your application checklist: complete the parent/guardian questionnaire, upload a photo of your child, and pay the application fee. Then, continue working through the checklist at your own pace.
- Complete the parent/guardian questionnaire.
- Upload a photo of your child.
- Pay the application fee.
- Schedule a Charger Day visit or interview.
- Release school transcripts from two years prior, plus the current year.
- Request teacher recommendations from current math and English teachers.
- Schedule admission testing (in person or online at home).
Key Admission Dates
September 2026
- 1 – Admission & tuition assistance applications open
- 9 – Charger Day visits begin
- 26 – Tour Academy
- 29 – Tuition assistance info sessions begin
October 2026
- 13 – Admission testing begins
November 2026
- 13 – Early decision admission & tuition assistance applications due
December 2026
- 11 – Early decision admission & tuition assistance decision notification
- 18 – Early decision enrollment contracts due
February 2027
- 5 – Regular decision admission & tuition assistance applications due
March 2027
- 12 – Regular decision admission & tuition assistance decision notification
- 19 – Regular decision enrollment contracts due
BUS SERVICE
Charger families—both current and new—have the option of using a convenient bus service with stops in the downtown area and on the westside. Spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that the Academy reserves the right to finalize details based on demand.
Bus Service Details
MORNING SERVICE
The Red Bus/downtown arrives at school at 8 a.m.
- Explora, 1701 Mountain Road NW, pickup at 7:10 a.m.
- Hyder Park, 700 Pershing SE, pickup at 7:35 a.m.
The Black Bus/westside arrives at school at 8 a.m.
- Dick’s Sporting Goods, 3550 NM-528, pickup at 7:15 a.m.
- Hartnett Park, Los Ranchos, pickup at 7:40 a.m.
The Manzano Bus arrives at school at 7:25 a.m.
- Manzano Day School, 1801 Central NE, pickup at 6:50 a.m.
AFTERNOON SERVICE
The Afternoon Bus leaves school at 3:45 p.m.
- Dick’s Sporting Goods drop-off at 4:10 p.m.
- Harnett Park drop-off at 4:30 p.m.
- Hyder Park drop-off at 4:55 p.m.
- Explora drop-off at 5:20 p.m.
The Manzano Bus leaves school at 4:30 p.m.
- Manzano Day School drop-off at 5 p.m.
For questions about bus service, including inquiries about spaces for the 2025-26 school year, please call (505) 828-3236 or email us.
Fees
- Roundtrip: $800 per semester ($1,600 per academic year) per student
- Mornings or afternoons only: $500 per semester ($1,000 per academic year) per student
Fees must be paid in full at the time of registration using VCPay.
For billing questions, please email us.
Register here for the 2026-27 school year.
To inquire about spaces for the 2025-26 school year, please call (505) 828-3236 or email us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Students taking the red bus or black bus are transported in two school-owned and -operated, 14-passenger vehicles. Those riding through the Manzano Day School partnership will take a 72-passenger school bus.
If demand exceeds expectations, the Academy may consider adding an additional bus, stops, or routes.
If reservations for bus service offerings are too low to be financially sensible, bus service options may be reduced or eliminated prior to the start of the school year.
Red and black buses are driven by Academy faculty/staff who have completed driver training and have a safe driving record. A commercial driver’s license is not required to drive the buses. Like all Academy employees, drivers have passed a background check.
The Manzano bus is driven by a retired city bus driver with a Certified Class B commercial driver’s license and more than 30 years of experience.
Each seat has an individual seat belt that students must wear. Oversized belongings can be stored overhead or in the rear of the red and black buses. A bus monitor provides additional supervision on the Manzano bus.
Drivers must have a safe driving record and complete driver’s training. Red and black bus drivers are not required to have a commercial driver’s license. The Manzano bus driver has a Certified Class B commercial driver’s license.
If your child misses the bus because they are not at the stop by the time the bus must continue on its scheduled route, you are responsible for getting them to campus.
Red and black buses wait at each stop for approximately 10 minutes, depending on traffic.
Red and black buses wait at each stop for approximately 10 minutes, depending on traffic. If you or another designated adult are not at the stop by the time the bus must continue on its scheduled route, your child will be returned to campus, and you will need to pick them up there.
Students waiting for parents at Manzano Day School will be signed in to their aftercare program for an additional cost.
Red and black buses wait at each stop, mornings and afternoons, for up to ten minutes, depending on traffic. The window may fluctuate to help buses stay on schedule. We recommend parents be at their stop at least five minutes before the close of their designated pickup/drop-off window.
Once a student has boarded the bus in the morning, parents may leave. Students will not be permitted to leave the bus in the afternoon until their parent or other designated adult arrives.
Bus drivers consult school attendance records so they are aware of absences.
When there is no school at Manzano Day School but Albuquerque Academy has classes, the Academy will use alternate school vehicles to pick up/drop off students at the Manzano stop.
For now, tuition assistance is not available for bus service fees. The Academy will consider the possibility for future school years.
The bus service fee must be paid at the time of registration.
Families have until April 15, 2026, to cancel their bus service contracts.
