Multicultural Summer Honors Program

An Inclusive and Caring Community

The Academy believes that our student body should represent the diversity of our city and state. Diversity – across all spectrums of race, gender, orientation, political beliefs, ability, ethnicity, socioeconomic level, age, experience, or religion – adds value to our community and makes us all better. We welcome youth from underrepresented and marginalized populations, including African American, Asian American, Indigenous, and Hispanic, in our summer honors program to expand the reach of our mission. We want to help fulfill the potential of talented young people in Albuquerque and expose them to what we offer.

A Diverse Slate of Engaging Courses

Current 4th-grade students from all cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Up to 50 students are selected from the applicant pool for this six-week, full-day program, which includes academic enrichment, creative arts, interactive electives, experiential education, and community building. The summer honors program fosters a joy of learning through creativity and an appreciation for other cultures; students live the Albuquerque Academy experience through academically challenging courses that encourage critical thinking and problem-solving and make Albuquerque Academy a nationally renowned institution.

An Innovative Scholarship Program

We believe in accessibility. We realize the Academy may feel financially inaccessible to many in our community. Financial barriers should not prevent talented, motivated students from attending, belonging, and succeeding at our school. Our commitment to this principle in the summer honors program is demonstrated in the scholarships that we will provide to all accepted students regardless of their financial circumstances. In return we ask that all families who enroll their child in the summer honors program consider their financial resources and pay an amount that they feel they can afford. Regardless of what their family contributes, the Academy will fund the remainder without judgment. All contributions from families will be reinvested to expand the program for the future.

What do students do at the Multicultural Summer Honors Program?

Summer honors students are introduced to Albuquerque Academy through academically challenging courses that not only encourage critical-thinking and problem-solving strategies, but also enhance and refine each student’s proficiency in core academic subjects. Classes are kept small to facilitate student-teacher interaction and to give students the opportunity to receive individual attention.

• Culture Through the Arts: Students study Native American, African American, Hispanic, and other cultures from a unique anthropological perspective that emphasizes hands-on projects and the joy of creative self-expression. This course deepens students’ awareness of their own cultures while encouraging them to grow in their understanding of other cultures.
• Math: Students receive grade and/or skill-appropriate math enrichments.
• Writing, Reading & Literature Workshop: Based on the highly successful National Writing Project and Six Traits of Writing models, this workshop emphasizes reading and writing as integrated activities to develop independent writers.
• Advisory: Once per week, students will meet with their adviser in small groups. In addition to weekly check-ins with their advisers during this time, students will engage in team-building activities, social-emotional learning, and study skills lessons.
• Common Time: Once per week, students will meet as an entire cohort to hear, learn, and interact with various aspects of campus life, including admission, athletics, performing arts, clubs, affinity groups, counseling and human development, the Desert Oasis Teaching Garden, and more.
• Experiential Education: Three times per week, students will participate in outdoor activities to explore nature and gain a greater understanding and appreciation for our beautiful state.
• Electives: To end the day, students will select two electives of their choice. Options include Film, Computer Science, Board Game Design, Universal Beat, Karate, Science in Action, Variety Sports, French, Spanish, and Creative Journaling.