Who We Are
Cottonwood Classical was founded in 2007 and is a tuition-free state charter school serving 700 students (chosen through admission lottery) in grades 6-12. Students come from across Albuquerque and its surrounding communities. The Albuquerque metropolitan area, containing a population of nearly 900,000 across four counties, is a tri-cultural crossroads, with deep roots in the Latino, Native American, and Anglo communities. Driven by scientific research facilities, technology companies old and new, and the burgeoning film/television industry, Albuquerque offers a diverse economic landscape. Following the Paideia principles and pedagogy, Cottonwood offers the pre-university International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum while educating the student as a whole - intellectually, socially, emotionally, physically. Our guiding principle is for students to become life-long learners who actively engage in the curriculum through project based learning and Socratic seminars. Class sizes average 17-22, and are mandated by the school’s charter to remain below the state average. Of the 45 faculty members, 58% hold advanced degrees.
What We Do
The mission of Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School is:
- To develop skillful, knowledgeable, compassionate, balanced, and internationally-minded lifelong learners who are inspired to improve themselves and shape a more peaceful world.
- To provide a publicly-funded, inclusive, and rigorous education whereby the skills of inquiry, critical thinking, clear communication, independence, responsibility and open-mindedness are fostered through the use of the International Baccalaureate curriculum and utilizing Paideia methodologies.
- To develop students and graduate scholars who are prepared to thrive in colleges and universities of the world and to become exemplary leaders in their regional, national, and global communities.
