The Albuquerque Institute for Mathematics and Science at University of New Mexico (AIMS@UNM) is currently the only high school affiliated with the University of New Mexico. Devoted to the education of motivated students and focused on excellence in math and science education, our mission is to educate an intellectual blend of culturally, ethnically and economically diverse students in a culture of rigor and fortitude; driven by motivation, fueled by innovation and guided by public service. We believe high school students do especially well when they are encouraged to reach for high standards and we believe this is equally true of middle school students. Because of our commitment to bridge the gap between school and the world beyond, AIMS@UNM looks and feels different than a traditional high school/middle school.

The graduates of Albuquerque Institute for Mathematics and Science at UNM will be engaged citizens who are thoughtful, self-motivated, competent, and lifelong learners prepared to thrive throughout their lives in anything they do.

AIMS@UNM requires dual enrollment with a post-secondary higher education institution beginning in the 10th grade. This means not only must our students be ready to perform at an advanced level by this time, they must also have the maturity and personal responsibility to function successfully at the college level. Parents must be willing to adhere to the dual enrollment law.

Science Fair: All students will participate in the science fair.

In 2007, the current administration defined a student performance goal of “College Readiness”.  The Albuquerque Institute for Mathematics and Science at UNM measures students' preparation for college through a variety of assessments, including the “Explore” which tests eighth grade students on performance and college readiness indicators (first administered during school year 2009-2010), “The Plan” which tests tenth grade performance and college readiness indicators (established school year 20 06-2007) and the ACT, which is given to 11th graders.  All three of these tests are products of the College Board, and as such are nationally normed.   Additional measures of college readiness include enrollment and performance of students in Dual Enrollment courses at CNM and UNM, of which AIMS@UNM requires 24 credit hours for graduation, and as previously mentioned, AP coursework in Calculus, AP World History and US History, and AP English and Literature.   

In 2009, the ACT acknowledged the Albuquerque Institute for Mathematics and Science @ UNM as an educational institution in which the majority of its students demonstrate college readiness. This was repeated for the 2010-2011 school year. Students consistently outperformed their counterparts at the state and national level, with 80 percent demonstrating college readiness in English Composition (as opposed to 67 percent and 58 percent at the national and state level respectively).  70 percent demonstrated readiness in College Algebra as opposed to 42 percent and 31 percent at the national and state levels. College level social studies performance for AIMS students was 70 percent as compared to 53 percent nationally and 47 percent statewide. 

The Dual Enrollment requirement was introduced by the current Administration in 2006-2007. Dual enrollment is positively associated with high school graduation, college enrollment rates, higher college grade point averages, and progress toward college completion.  It is an effective strategy for helping students make a better transition from high school to college, make adult world connections, and persist in college once they’re there.

The Albuquerque Institute for Mathematics and Science @ UNM measures students' preparation for college, personal goal setting, and students’ adult world connections through participation in Dual Enrollment classes and student performance in those classes.  In 2006-2007, there were a total of 39 classes, or 27 credit hours taken.  By the end of the 2010-2011 school year, a total of 344 classes were taken for the school year, at a total of 3048 credits.  Students continue to outperform their more traditional college colleagues, with an average GPA of 3.28.  It is not unusual for students to graduate from AIMS with nearly 60 credit hours, greatly in excess of the graduation requirements for AIMS, entering the post-secondary institution with a junior status.

All students pursue the same rigorous curriculum and must demonstrate mastery through presentations of learning before promotion to the next grade level.

6th Grade: English 6, History 6, Science 6, Math I, PE, Elective
7th Grade: English 7, History 7, Science 7, Math II, Elective
8th Grade: English 8, History 8, Science 8, Honors Algebra I, Elective
9th Grade: Honors English 9, New Mexico History, Biology, Honors Geometry, PE, Elective
10th Grade: Honors English 10, AP World History, Physics, Algebra II / Pre-Calculus, Critical Language, Dual Enrollment
11th Grade: AP English, AP US History, Chemistry, Calculus, Critical Language, Dual Enrollment
12th Grade: AP Literature, AP Government / Economics, Dual Enrollment Science, Dual Enrollment Math