What is the CEC?
As the first true magnet school in APS, the CEC offers curriculum enrichment to students attending the
eleven district high schools. The CEC's distinctive programs attract a wide variety of students from all geographic areas and socioeconomic groups in Albuquerque. The blending of strong academic and occupational
classes under one roof enhances the education of all students.
Facilities
The CEC is located on Mountain Road on the west side of I-25, just south of Albuquerque High School. The CEC
complex has more than 40,000 square feet. It is the home of the APS Planetarium, which provides
educational programs for over 18,000 students per year.
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One-of-a-Kind Courses in APS
Courses vary from beginning to advanced or accelerated levels. In some cases, the CEC is given the opportunity to
pilot new programs being considered for district use. The school has a focus on science and technology courses and
contains specialized labs in the subject areas of electronics, advanced placement physics, and premedical science. Along with these labs, the complex includes one-of-a-kind facilities for the cosmetology, nursing, financial
services, computer, and construction trades programs. The CEC is the only high school in the city that
offers Chinese and Japanese language classes.
Practical Nursing Program
In the last 23 years, the Practical Nursing Program at the Career Enrichment Center has graduated more
than 450 high school students. This unique program educates high school students to attain the skills and
knowledge needed to become licensed nurses. It is the only approved and accredited high school nursing program
in the state of New Mexico.
In the spring, sophomore students go through a highly competitive application process. Once
admitted, the students will go through five semesters of rigorous instruction in the classroom
setting as well as the hospital setting. They will provide nursing care throughout many health
care organizations in the Albuquerque area. Their experience will include medical-surgical,
maternity, pediatric, geriatric, cardiac, and neurological nursing.
The students learn to administer medications, perform procedures, analyze lab results and
provide reputable nursing care. Upon completion of the program, they go through a time honored
nursing tradition of being capped and pinned at graduation. They are then able to take their state
board licensing exam and practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the state of New Mexico.
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Early College Academy
The Early College Academy is a strong college-preparatory program that enables high-school
students to take classes for college credit that can be applied toward an associate or university
degree. For more information, see the Early College Academy
web pages.
The Career Exploration Program:
Gifted Internship & professional Apprenticeship
These courses offer high school students of exceptional ability and potential the opportunity
for in-depth exploration of a possible career choice. Applicants must have a strong academic
background and specific skills related to the career they wish to explore. Students must
exhibit a real interest in the profession and enthusiasm for the work. They are selected on the
basis of their grades, resume, references, experience in the field, special skills and talents.
Variable credit is awarded on internship hours. Placement of students in community organizations
is coordinated on a district level so all qualified students have equal access to available community
mentors and resources. Applications for the fall semester may be submitted as early as January 1st.
Early application allows time for the CEC instructors to interview applicants and identify possible
internship placements.
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APD/CNM/CEC Mentorship Program
This program is for students interested in pursuing a career in Law Enforcement or Public Service.
This program is an 
innovative and unique partnership between CNM, the Albuquerque Police Department
and Albuquerque Public Schools Career Enrichment Center. Students enrolled in the CEC Forensics
class are also concurrently enrolled in the CNM Criminal Justice program, and are taught consecutively
with the Forensics class. Qualified students are then offered Mentorship opportunities with the
Albuquerque Police Department. Students must have two years of science and a 3.0 GPA to qualify.
Building Trades & Construction Internship Program
This is a collaborative project effort among students, parents, educators and business people in the community.
Students have opportunities to advance directly into apprenticeable trades or professional areas in
the construction industry. There is a school-to-work component, which allows students to gain
first-hand experience and training from a mentor at a professional job site.
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CNM & SIPI Concurrent Enrollment
This program allows APS students to earn CNM or SIPI credit and APS elective credit while taking
classes in any of the departments at CNM or SIPI. These classes are taught at CNM's or SIPI's campuses.
Tuition and application fees are waived for concurrently enrolled students.
This is an opportunity to earn college level credit while still in high school.
Other Internship Programs
Various internships are offered in conjunction with the financial services course "Money, Success and Power",
and with science courses such as "Veterinary Medicine" and "Pre-Medical Science" ("Medical Physics").
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Community Involvement: Join-a-School Partner
The CEC is proud to have Honeywell as its Join-A-School Partner.
Honeywell is an advanced technology and manufacturing company serving customers worldwide with aerospace and
automotive products, chemicals, fibers, plastics and advanced materials. They provide activities for
CEC students including field trips, guest speakers, and job shadowing, plus mentorship and internship
opportunities. Technical support is also provided for CEC electronics, physics and robotics classes.
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