Secretary Cardona, Congresswoman Stansbury Lift Up Community School Model During Atrisco Heritage Academy Visit
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Today, U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) and U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona visited Atrisco Heritage Academy High School (AHA) in Albuquerque to highlight the successful community school model at AHA that has produced some of the state’s best educational outcomes.
“Today we were proud to highlight one of the best community schools in the country, right here in the heart of the South Valley. Atrisco Heritage Academy shows what our students can do when we make meaningful investments in education, our kids and their families, and their well-being,” said Rep. Stansbury. “Education is the cornerstone of a thriving community—when we invest in our young people, we invest in the future. By including a health clinic, food bank, language and cultural programs, outstanding student services and academic and trades programs, Atrisco shows what we can do when we invest in our kids. I am so proud to have Secretary Cardona here to witness firsthand the potential of our students and schools in New Mexico’s First Congressional District.”
During the visit, Secretary Cardona and Rep. Stansbury toured the school’s integrated wraparound student support services, including the community health clinic and culinary arts class. Secretary Cardona and Rep. Stansbury participated in a demonstration with students in the school’s culinary arts training course during which students prepared Indigenous and New Mexican foods and discussed how the course integrates pillars on sustainability and healthy diets.
After the tour, Secretary Cardona and Rep. Stansbury participated in a roundtable discussion with students and parents. During the roundtable, students shared their experiences of learning during the pandemic and how AHA’s community wraparound services have helped empower their social, emotional, and academic success.
During the visit, Rep. Stansbury highlighted legislation she has recently introduced to improve equity in education, including the College Completion Fund Act to promote college completion and address longstanding inequities in college access and the Early Education Action Act to empower New Mexicans to invest in early learning programs using the state’s Land Grant Permanent Fund. Rep. Stansbury also cosponsors key legislation to address comprehensive student well-being, including H.R. 1241, the Full Service Community School Expansion Act 0f 2021, H.R. 3115, the Universal School Meals Program Act of 2021, and H.R. 1803, the Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Act of 2021.