The summer program helps Albuquerque students prepare for the next school year

Albuquerque Horizons. (KRQE)

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A special summer program in Albuquerque is helping some students prepare for the next school year. The Horizons Albuquerque program helps low-income students in grades pre-K through 11 to advance educational equity.

“This program is really important because many of the students we work with fall behind over the summer, and this is a chance for them to continue their education throughout the summer and prepare for the next grade,” said Tracy Herrera, executive director of Horizons Albuquerque.

Students not only focus on academics, but also learn skills such as guitar, robotics and swimming. “Every student has a slightly different approach to what really excites them, but our students have a wide range of opportunities open to them,” Herrera said.

Students can also spend time outdoors. In one case, they helped collect data on bosque turtles to help the New Mexico Game and Fish Department conduct research.

Teachers told KRQE News 13 they are happy to see how students have developed over the years. Since 2014, Horizons Albuquerque’s student population has quadrupled, admitting 200 students this year