South Valley Prep, the middle school local educators built
South Valley Prep (SVP) is a tuition-free public charter middle school for grades 6–8 in Albuquerque's South Valley. Five local educators opened it in 2010 with 92 students. It is still a small school where students are known by name.
SVP at a glance
Get directionsA small, safe school that feels like family
“At South Valley Preparatory School, our mission is to provide a small, safe, and unique family learning community where students are prepared for high school and beyond.”
The mission hasn't changed since we opened in 2010. Classes are small, and students keep the same core teachers for three years. Several of those teachers grew up in the South Valley themselves.
What does it mean that SVP is a charter school?
A charter school is a public school. It is free and open to any student, and it follows the same state standards and takes the same state tests as a district school.
A district school is run by the school district. SVP runs under its own charter contract with the New Mexico Public Education Commission, which renewed it in 2024 for another five years. A governing council of five community volunteers oversees the school. Its meetings are open to the public and usually happen once a month.
More on how charter schools work in New Mexico: NM Public Education Department.
How a pilot program became SVP
SVP grew out of a middle school pilot program at Kit Carson Elementary. This is how it became a school with its own building.
A pilot program ends
A middle school pilot program at Kit Carson Elementary ended after district changes. The five educators who had worked on it decided to open a charter school for the South Valley.
Saturdays spent writing a charter
The founders met every Saturday for months to write the charter proposal. They submitted it on June 1, and on December 11 the Public Education Commission approved it unanimously.
We opened with 92 students
SVP opened on August 19 with 92 students and 8 staff members. The first year began in temporary classrooms while construction continued.
Growing in portables
As enrollment grew, community partners such as Service Electric Co. and Jaynes Corporation helped the school add portable classrooms.
A building of our own
The Friends of Academy of Trades and Technology gave SVP a 22,000-square-foot building. Staff and families spent the summer getting it ready, and the school reopened that fall at 2551 Karsten Court SE.
Ranked among New Mexico's best
U.S. News & World Report ranked SVP #23 among New Mexico middle schools and #10 among the state's charter middle schools.
A founder retires
Charlotte Alderete-Trujillo retired after 13 years as SVP's co-founder and administrator and more than 30 years in education.
Chartered through 2030
The Public Education Commission renewed SVP's charter for five more years, from July 2025 through June 2030. Executive Director Crystal Avalos leads the school, and one of the five founders still teaches math here.
How SVP students are doing
We track how much each student grows in reading and math over the year, using the NWEA assessment. Every SVP student took both tests in 2025–26, and this is how they did against their growth goals.
See the state report card
New Mexico publishes proficiency rates and a school score for every public school. SVP's are on NM Vistas, and we link to them from our School Dashboard.
Teachers who know the South Valley
Several of our teachers and staff grew up in the South Valley. One of them helped write the charter in 2009, and others have worked here for ten years or more. Five community volunteers serve on the Governing Council, which oversees SVP's academics, budget and charter.
Visit the SVP campus
Our students come from across the Albuquerque metro area, and you don't have to live in the South Valley to enroll. Book a tour and we'll show you the building and introduce you to the teachers.
South Valley Preparatory School
2551 Karsten Court SE
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Front office: Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
School day: Monday–Friday, 7:45 AM – 2:50 PM
Summer office hours vary. Call before you come.
Quick answers about South Valley Prep
Is South Valley Prep a public school?
Yes. SVP is a tuition-free public charter school authorized by the New Mexico Public Education Commission. It follows the same state standards and takes the same state tests as district schools.
How much does it cost to attend?
There is no tuition and no entrance exam, and the after-school program is free. Some sports teams may charge a small fee for uniforms, officials or transportation. Financial assistance is available.
Who can enroll? Do we have to live in the South Valley?
Any student entering grades 6, 7 or 8 who lives in the Albuquerque metro area can apply. You don't need to live in the South Valley. If we get more applications than we have seats, a random lottery decides and the rest go on a waiting list.
What is the difference between a charter school and a regular public school?
Both are public and free. A district school is run by the school district. A charter school like SVP runs under its own contract with the state and has its own governing council, so it can set up its own programs. Looping, where students keep the same core teachers for three years, is one of ours.
Is South Valley Prep the same school as South Valley Academy?
No. They are two different schools. South Valley Prep is the grades 6–8 school at 2551 Karsten Court SE, home of the Aztecs.
Does SVP have a high school?
No. SVP is a middle school and serves grades 6 through 8 only.
What are the school hours?
Students are in class Monday through Friday, 7:45 AM to 2:50 PM. An optional morning program runs 7:00 to 8:00 AM, and the after-school program runs 3:40 to 6:00 PM (1:10 to 4:00 PM on early-release Fridays). The front office is open 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
What sports does SVP offer?
The Aztecs compete in the Albuquerque Charter School League in cross country, basketball, flag football, volleyball, track and field, and soccer.
How do I enroll my child?
Apply online at enroll.southvalleyprep.org. You'll be asked for your child's birth certificate, proof of residency and immunization record. Enrollment stays open all year as long as seats are available.
Where can I see SVP's test scores and report card?
The state publishes a report card for every public school on NM Vistas. You'll find the link to SVP's, along with our public notices, on the School Dashboard.
Our charter documents
These are SVP's 2009 charter application and the records from its approval, the facilities master plan, and the contract the school operates under today.
Looking for the Title IX notice, the ARP application or other public notices? They are on the School Dashboard.
