Enroll at South Valley Prep · Albuquerque’s tuition-free charter middle school
Your child’s place at SVP starts here.
Middle school is a big step. Here in Albuquerque’s South Valley, our teachers know every student by name, and families from Atrisco, Barelas, Downtown, the Westside and the Southeast Heights already call SVP home.
Applications open for grades 6, 7 & 8
Apply any time. If a grade is full, your child joins that grade’s lottery list, and we contact you as soon as a seat opens.
How to enroll at SVP?
Just 4 simple steps.
Applying takes about 2 minutes, and you only upload documents after your seat is confirmed. You’re always welcome to call or visit for help.
Apply online
Fill out the 2-minute application at southvalleyprep.org/apply. You’ll see your application number right away, and within minutes we’ll email you to let you know if there’s a seat in your child’s grade.
We call to confirm
If there’s a seat, our office calls you within 1–2 school days to confirm it. If the grade is full, your child joins the lottery list, and we email you the moment a seat opens.
Register in ParentVUE
After the call, we email you a link to register online in ParentVUE, about 15 minutes from your phone. This is when you upload your documents. We hold your child’s seat for 14 days.
Welcome, Aztec!
Our registrar reviews your registration and emails you to confirm it’s complete.
Who can apply
Any student entering grades 6–8 in the Albuquerque metro area. No entrance exam, no tuition.
81% of students with disabilities and 72% of English learners met their reading & math growth goals in 2025–26.
Included for families
Beyond free tuition, here’s what SVP provides. Tap any item for details.
What you’ll need
You’ll upload these in ParentVUE after your seat is confirmed (Step 3). Need a hand? Bring them to the front office and we’ll help you.
Bus schedule & registration, lunch menu, bell schedule, supply lists in English & Spanish, the Parent–Student Handbook, and special education & 504 support, all in one place.
Growth you can see.
Small classes and the looping model mean teachers really know each student, and it shows in how much they grow in a single year.
See the full school dashboard →A peek inside our South Valley campus.
A small school where every student is known by name.
Small class sizes
Every student is known by name and supported by caring teachers.
Looping model
Students stay with the same teacher team for multiple years, building trust and consistency.
Community roots
Learning connected to South Valley culture, values and local partners.
Service learning & outdoor ed
Hands-on programs that build leadership and civic engagement.
After-school & sports
Our 21st Century after-school program and athletics keep kids engaged past 3 PM.
Safe & inclusive
A focus on academic, emotional and social growth for every student.
You’re always welcome to visit our South Valley campus.
We’d love to show you around. Come walk the halls, meet our teachers and see what a school day looks like here. Families visit us from all over Albuquerque, so book a time that works for you and we’ll be ready when you arrive.
Questions families ask about charter school enrollment.
Have a question we didn’t cover? Call us at (505) 222-5642 or email asksvp@southvalleyprep.org.
What is a charter school?
A charter school is a public school that runs on its own, with the freedom to choose how it teaches, how it plans the day and how big it grows. It’s tuition-free, like any public school. South Valley Prep has been a state-authorized charter middle school in Albuquerque since 2010, serving grades 6 through 8.
Are charter schools public schools?
Yes. They’re paid for with public money and open to every student. At South Valley Prep there’s no tuition and no entrance exam, and any student in the Albuquerque area can apply.
Are charter schools free?
Yes. Public charter schools in New Mexico don’t charge tuition. At SVP, school meals are free for every student too, and you can sign up for the bus through our Parent Portal.
What’s the difference between a charter school and a public school?
Both are public, and both are free. A charter school just gets more say in how it runs. For us, that means small classes, teachers who stay with the same students for more than one year, and lots of learning outside through service projects and outdoor education.
How are charter schools funded?
The state funds New Mexico charter schools based on how many students they enroll, the same way it funds other public schools. Each charter school also has its own governing council and answers to the state for its academic and financial results.
Are charter schools better than public schools?
Some are and some aren’t, so ask any school you’re considering for its numbers. Last year, 89% of SVP students met their NWEA reading growth goals and 86% met their math goals. The easiest way to know if we’re the right fit is to come see us on a campus tour.
How do I enroll my child in a charter school in Albuquerque?
You apply straight to the school. Start with the 2-minute application at southvalleyprep.org/apply. If there’s a seat, our office calls to confirm it, then you register online in ParentVUE and upload your documents there. We email you at every step.
Can anyone enroll at South Valley Prep?
Yes. If your child is going into 6th, 7th or 8th grade and you live in the Albuquerque area, you can apply. You don’t have to live in the South Valley. Students with disabilities, English learners and gifted students are all welcome here.
How does the charter school lottery work?
When a grade is full, new applications join that grade’s lottery list in the order they arrive. When a seat opens, we offer it first to families with a brother or sister already admitted to or attending SVP, then to children of SVP staff, then to everyone else in order. We email you, and call you, as soon as it’s your turn.
What documents do I need to enroll?
You’ll upload them in ParentVUE once your seat is confirmed: your child’s birth certificate (or other proof of age), their most recent report card, and their IEP or 504 plan if they have one. Immunization records can be added later. Need help? Our front office will walk you through it.
Can I enroll after the school year starts?
Yes. We take applications all year for 2026–27. If your child’s grade is full, they join the lottery list and we’ll reach out when a seat opens.
Is there bus service and free lunch at SVP?
Yes to both. Every SVP student gets free school meals, and we offer bus service. You can sign up for the bus and check the schedule in our Parent Portal.
