Have you heard about Albuquerque Public Schools’ first-ever early childhood center? The district recently opened the facility at the site of the former Duranes Elementary School to give families better access to early learning programs.
The opening also represents a major step in APS’ ongoing right-sizing initiative. APS said the new facility turns an underutilized space to better meet the evolving needs of families.
“This new center demonstrates how we are strategically repurposing facilities to better align with student and community needs,” Superintendent Gabriella Durán Blakey said. “It’s an example of how we can thoughtfully adapt to changing enrollment patterns while continuing to invest in programs that have a meaningful impact on student outcomes.”
The Duranes Early Childhood Center launched as a full-inclusion campus that creates a balanced learning environment for all students. It opened with nine classrooms, with the capacity to expand to 12 as enrollment grows. Of the number, four are dedicated to New Mexico Pre-K and five to special education preschool.
“Three- and four-year-olds can truly benefit from being in a classroom,” said Allison Gabaldon, APS executive director of Early Childhood programs.
Gabaldon said early exposure to social, emotional and academic learning plays a vital role in child development. She added these experiences help children build foundational skills, such as patience and collaboration. In fact, these abilities can help your child succeed in kindergarten and support their long-term development.
Inside the New Early Childhood Center
More than a school, the center will provide a comprehensive hub for the community. The campus will operate as a lab school in collaboration with the University of New Mexico and Central New Mexico Community College. UNM will have one classroom dedicated to its use.
Families will also have access to a full-time community school impact coordinator and a dedicated Child Find team. These staff members will help them connect to support services and early intervention resources.
“This center is a model for future early childhood facilities throughout APS,” Deputy Superintendent of Operations Antonio Gonzales said. “It is a direct response to the needs of our local families and an efficient use of district resources.”
How APS Transformed the Duranes Site
The district invested $36 million to turn the site into a specialized environment designed to support the center’s mission. The former school, which opened in 1947, received a significant retrofit led by architect SMPC and general contractor Bradbury Stamm.
APS used its “kit of parts” design to maximize utility and replace the aging main building with a new 36,463-square-foot facility. The modern campus features 12 classrooms organized into three clusters. Each cluster has its own playgrounds and common areas, while the campus also includes new administrative, wellness, and cafeteria wings.
Beyond the new construction, the renovation preserved and updated 10,051 square feet of existing space. The updated space now includes a teacher resource wing and multipurpose areas for before-and-after school programming. It also houses offices for specialized support staff, including speech-language pathologists, social workers, and psychologists.
The district funds the center’s operations through special education and New Mexico Pre-K resources.
Duranes still has spaces available for students. You can enroll your children through the APS registration page.
Expanding Childcare Infrastructure
The state Higher Education Department has allocated millions of dollars to projects at select schools and improvements to childcare facilities
In June, the department announced $10 million in new investments to expand child care infrastructure on college and university campuses statewide. The funding is intended to bolster support for students, families, and campus communities.
Five colleges and universities secured funding for new or expanded child care facilities:
- University of New Mexico: Children’s Campus Cluster 1 Expansion – $4,710,000
- San Juan College: CDFC Renovation & Equipment/Furnishing Purchase – $2,540,000
- New Mexico State University: Myrna’s Children’s Village Modernization and Expansion – $1,500,000
- Santa Fe Community College: Kids Campus Classroom Renovations and Expansion Phase 1 – $1,000,000
- Eastern New Mexico University: Roswell Child Development Center Renovation – $250,000
