Albuquerque Public Schools (APS)
Grants Awarded
SHIFT (Systems, Humans, and Interconnected Futures Together), a district-wide outdoor learning program in Albuquerque, offers all 6th-grade students in Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) equal access to quality outdoor learning experiences. Through a sequence of classroom lessons, on-campus outdoor learning, and field visits to Valles Caldera National Preserve, the program integrates various subjects and promotes environmental and climate literacy, and a better understanding of New Mexico’s public lands. This approach not only enhances students' connection to their local environment but also addresses a gap in the district's Signature Academic Field Experiences (SAFEs) for transitioning middle-schoolers.
Albuquerque Public Schools (APS), New Mexico’s largest district, serves over 64,000 students across urban, suburban, and rural communities. Committed to equity, APS addresses systemic barriers facing its majority Title I student body by ensuring access to meaningful, real-world learning. APS bridges the opportunity gap through districtwide Signature Academic Field Experiences (SAFEs). These programs guarantee experiential learning for grades 3, 4, 5, and 8 regardless of a family’s ability to pay. This initiative reflects the Outdoor Learning Team’s vision: extending school campuses beyond four walls to utilize nature as an integral educational resource. SAFEs are implemented through a centralized structure that supports co-designed, standards-aligned programming. APS collaborates with key partners, including the NM Museum of Natural History & Science, Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority, First Nations Community Health Source, Sandia Mountain Natural History Center, the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, and the National Park Service. Leveraging state, federal, and grant funding, APS combines centralized coordination with deep community roots to deliver high-quality outdoor experiences aligned with the Outdoor Equity Fund.