And just like that, another group of students closes their high school chapter and steps forward into the exciting college phase. For those eager to plan ahead, Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) recently dropped the graduation dates for its schools.
The graduation season kicked off on May 1. College and Career High School graduates marked the milestone with their loved ones at Berna Facio Professional Development Complex.
All other APS high schools are slated to hold their ceremonies the week of May 18.
APS Superintendent Gabriella Durán Blakey and Central New Mexico Community College President Tracy Hartzler joined the CCHS graduates on stage. In a joint Journal Op ed, they praised the partnership between their institutions that makes College and Career High School possible.
“This year, the early college magnet school is graduating 68 seniors who will not only earn their high school diplomas, but will have collectively completed 4,409 college credit hours, 84 certificates, and 77 associate degrees across fields from biotechnology and engineering to automotive technology and nursing assistant,” they wrote. “All this was achieved tuition-free — saving the families a combined $370,300 in tuition.”
Together, APS and CNM graduate about 12,000 students a year.
Check out the upcoming APS graduation ceremonies at Berna Facio and Tingley Coliseums.
Berna Facio graduations
Transition Services, School on Wheels, Freedom High, New Futures High, Nex+Gen Academy and Early College Academy will hold ceremonies at Berna Facio Professional Development Complex, 3315 Louisiana Blvd. NE.
Officials will not allow glass vases or balloons at the Berna Facio graduation ceremonies.
Tingley graduations
APS comprehensive high schools and eCADEMY High School will have their graduations at Tingley Coliseum at EXPO New Mexico.
If you plan to attend a graduation ceremony at Tingley, expect to walk through a metal detector. Also, allow extra time for the security screenings.
Attendees may bring only clear bags. Organizers prohibit the following items at APS graduation ceremonies:
- Outside food
- Outside beverages, including water
- Balloons
- Noisemakers
- Glass vases
Flowers remain permitted at Tingley. Vendors sell them on-site during graduation ceremonies for attendees.
Visitors can park for free at Gate 8, located at Lomas and Louisiana entrance. Drivers requiring handicap parking should use Gate 3 at the Copper and San Pedro entrance and present valid handicap placards.
Drivers must enter EXPO NM using only right-hand turns when accessing the venue.
Additional information
Anyone with questions or concerns should contact their high school’s Activities Office.
Visit the APS Class of 2026 graduation page for more information about graduation and to watch ceremonies.
Comprehensive high schools will hold graduation ceremonies at Tingley Coliseum. Meanwhile, most magnet schools will host celebrations at Berna Facio Professional Development Center.
Graduation Schedule
Tingley Coliseum
- May 18, Atrisco Heritage Academy, 9:30 a.m.
- May 18, Eldorado 2 p.m.
- May 18, Manzano, 6:30pm
- May 19, Volcano Vista, 9:30 a.m.
- May 19, eCADEMY, 2 p.m.
- May 19, Albuquerque High, 6:30 p.m.
- May 20, West Mesa, 9:30 a.m.
- May 20, Valley, 2 p.m.
- May 20, Rio Grande, 6:30 p.m.
- May 21, Cibola 9:30 a.m
- May 21, Del Norte, 2 p.m.
- May 21, Sandia 6:30 p.m.
- May 22, La Cueva, 9:30 a.m.
- May 22, Highland, 2 p.m.
Berna Facio Professional Development Center
- May 1, College and Career, 2 p.m.
- May 21, Early College Academy 9 a.m.
- May 21, Nex+Gen Academy, 12:30 p.m.
- May 21, Transition Services, 3:30pm
- May 22, School on Wheels, 9 a.m.
- May 22, Freedom, 12:30 p.m.
- May 22, New Futures, 3:30 p.m.