How PCSNM is Educating the Public on Alternative Education Options

What is a Public Charter School? Why should I care?

Turns out, lots of people have these question — even though there are nearly 100 all over New Mexico! That’s exactly the problem that Public Charter Schools of New Mexico (PCSNM) brought our way. Our goal was to help them tell the stories of public charter schools in New Mexico to educate the public on different kind of education available to families, and how these schools are impacting New Mexico’s education system.

Public charter schools offer a unique approach to education that traditional public schools might not be able to.

By providing a personalized experience, public charter schools like Solare Collegiate, Amy Biehl High School, and Public Academy for Performing Arts (PAPA) offer students the opportunity to explore their passions and interests in a way that works for them. Where traditional public schools are limited in their approaches, public charter schools are able to provide alternative learning options for kids so that they and their parents can find the right fit for them.

As an advocacy organization for public charter schools, PCSNM’s primary goal is to ensure public charter schools have the support and funding they need to serve kids effectively. In partnership with Gabe Gallegos and TwoThreeFive, we worked with PCSNM to create spotlight videos that showcase the positive impact charter schools have on the New Mexico community. The interviews with teachers, parents, students, and staff of the three charter schools highlight the benefits of charter schools and their impact on students’ lives. Parents spoke about how charter schools have helped their children come out of their shells, follow the tradition of service, and prepare for college.

Despite their benefits, many people are still unaware of what public charter schools actually are and how they work. Lavendr Creative Director Joshua Romero explains, “Lots and lots of people think that they charge tuition, they’re exclusive, and that it’s just not accessible for them. We think these videos can have a huge impact on the community by simply helping people learn what public charter schools are, how they actually work, and that they are available to whoever wants to attend one!”

PCSNM does a lot of work to support the public charters schools in New Mexico that provide unique educational options that can benefit students of NM, and we hope that our spotlight videos will help more people understand what they are and how they benefit New Mexico.