The Public Academy for Performing Arts is a charter school is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. PAPA offers many courses to its students in grades six through twelve. PAPA offers ballet, jazz, flamenco, hip-hop, and contemporary dance, choir, band, orchestra, theater, visual arts, film making and photography.
Serving 448 students in grades 6-12, Public Academy For Performing Arts ranks in the top 20% of all schools in New Mexico for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 30%, and reading proficiency is top 30%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 32% (which is higher than the New Mexico state average of 24%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 52% (which is higher than the New Mexico state average of 34%).
The student:teacher ratio of 14:1 is higher than the New Mexico state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 61% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the New Mexico state average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- School Type: Charter School
- Grades: 6-12
- Enrollment: 448 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 14:1
- Minority Enrollment: 61%
- Graduation Rate: 97% (Top 20% in NM)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 20%
- Math Proficiency: 32% (Top 30%)
- Reading Proficiency: 52% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 50-54% (Top 20%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NM Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Public Academy For Performing Arts ranks among the top 20% of public schools in New Mexico for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Graduation Rate
School Overview
Public Academy For Performing Arts's student population of 448 students has grown by 5% over five school years.
The teacher population of 31 teachers has grown by 10% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 6-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
448 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
31 teachers
Year Founded
2001
School Calendar
School Motto
'We are not here to create the stars of tomorrow; rather we are here to create a whole human being today.'
School Rankings
Public Academy For Performing Arts ranks within the top 20% of all 796 schools in New Mexico (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Public Academy For Performing Arts is 0.56, which is equal to the diversity score at state average of 0.56. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#125 out of 796 schools
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
32%
24%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
52%
34%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
50-54%
33%
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
13:1
American Indian
1%
12%
Asian
2%
1%
Hispanic
54%
62%
Black
3%
2%
White
39%
20%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
1%
3%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
(20-21)97%
66%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
28%
74%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
14%
3%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NM Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Panda
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Public Academy For Performing Arts's ranking?
Public Academy For Performing Arts is ranked #125 out of 796 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in New Mexico.
What schools are Public Academy For Performing Arts often compared to?
Public Academy For Performing Artsis often viewed alongside schools like Cottonwood Classical Prep by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
32% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 24% NM state average), while 52% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 34% NM state average).
What is the graduation rate of Public Academy For Performing Arts?
The graduation rate of Public Academy For Performing Arts is 97%, which is higher than the New Mexico state average of 66%.
How many students attend Public Academy For Performing Arts?
448 students attend Public Academy For Performing Arts.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
54% of Public Academy For Performing Arts students are Hispanic, 39% of students are White, 3% of students are Black, 2% of students are Asian, 1% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Public Academy For Performing Arts?
Public Academy For Performing Arts has a student ration of 14:1, which is higher than the New Mexico state average of 13:1.
What grades does Public Academy For Performing Arts offer ?
Public Academy For Performing Arts offers enrollment in grades 6-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Public Academy For Performing Arts part of?
Public Academy For Performing Arts is part of Albuquerque School District.
School Reviews
5 5/9/2025
Half of the time I'm not sure about the schoo'l's direction. However, I have never doubted my decision to send both of my children to The Public Academy for Performing Arts. The multitude of dance class offerings is unmatched anywhere else! Then there are visual arts and film courses too. The staff is dedicated to the well-being of each student. Essentially? Albuquerque has a lot of rough schools! And PAPA is a diamond amongst them all. I don't have many complaints. I'm pretty happy here.
2 5/17/2010
This school but a sad small shadow of its former self.
With the whole school being made up of portables, and a very uncooperative administration there is a slowly degrading student and faculty morale. The administration seems nothing but hell-bent on removing the performing arts from its curriculum. you might see this schools name change to just the Public Academy. To top this even though they meet A.Y.P every year, their A.P and language courses are almost non-existent.
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