Aside from being ranked first among 204 New Mexico Public High Schools, Arrowhead Park Early College High School (APECHS) ranked #616 from a national field of more than twenty thousand public high schools.
Editorial By: Levi Gwaltney
Las Cruces Digest
Niche is an online marketing website that “connects people to their future schools, neighborhoods and workplaces” (quote taken from niche.com). The website links prospective students to universities, and even graduates with work. Aside from this, consumers using Niche are presented with real estate offerings near schools and colleges they plan on attending. The entire Niche model is built upon its ranking of schools, and for New Mexico, Arrowhead Park Early College High School tops the 2024 list of public high schools.
Aside from being ranked first among 204 New Mexico Public High Schools, Arrowhead Park Early College High School (APECHS) ranked #616 from a national field of more than twenty thousand public high schools. The 2024 Niche rankings were kind to APECHS; however, they were not alone in recognizing what is happening at one school in Las Cruces.
U.S. News and World Report ranked APECHS fifth in New Mexico, behind four public charter and/or magnate schools in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Rio Rancho. Out of seventeen thousand high schools considered nationally, APECHS ranked #608.
Both Niche and U.S. News have placed APECHS well within the top 5% of high schools, nationally.
Why is this an “Editorial”?
There is more to this story than a couple of links to some truly impressive rankings of a local high school, and I must begin this story with an admission. I am biased. My daughter is a rising 11th grader at APECHS and I hold a burning desire to see public affirmations of something I have witnessed firsthand for more than two years. Niche and U.S. News move in the right direction toward quenching this desire, but even without these acknowledgments of excellence, I believe without equivocation that Arrowhead Park Early College High School is likely the best public high school in America. Like I said–I’m biased.
This article is born from bias, but not my own. Just prior to writing this, a post from the Albuquerque Journal came across my Facebook feed: “Ranking: These are the public high schools with the best teachers in New Mexico.” Of course, I clicked the link. No Las Cruces school was represented on the list. The “best teachers” list was produced by Niche, the same website ranking APECHS the top public high school in New Mexico. How is it that a high school rated best public high school doesn’t also have at least a top-six ranking for best public high school teachers?
I’m sure there is an arguable reason, but a more interesting question might be: Why did the Albuquerque Journal choose the “best teachers” ranking to promote over the “best public high school” ranking? It could be argued that the Albuquerque Journal was biased. This should not be taken as criticism. It is, after all, an Albuquerque newspaper–and to be fair, the Albuquerque Journal first broke the story about two Las Cruces student athletes who earned top-in-state recognition from a national sponsor. Las Cruces Digest picked up that story and researched back to the source; however, it would not have known where to look had the Albuquerque Journal not published it first. So, thank you, Albuquerque Journal.
When I formed Dossier Black Corporation and launched Las Cruces Digest six months ago, I believed I was taking steps to fill a void. To be certain, I expect wonderful write-ups about APECHS recent ranking to appear in the Las Cruces Bulletin and the Las Cruces Sun News, but there is so much more to Las Cruces than top line stories.
Our broader community sits amidst the shadows of Albuquerque, Santa Fe and El Paso, making it more imperative for us to shine our light as brightly as possible. In my opinion, we have not been shining brightly enough. Our fair share of attention extends far beyond the attention we have demanded, and the gap between what is deserved and what we have settled for is one that Las Cruces Digest intends to fill. We deserve so much more. Then again, I’m biased.
The Rest of the Story
The current principal at Arrowhead Park Early College High School is Ms. Gabriela Alaniz. In all of my interactions with her I have been struck by how she stands, solidly grounded, as her positivity radiates from the calm demeanor expressed in every feature on her face and every utterance she speaks. She has always been clear in her purpose.
Dear Ms. Alaniz,
I’m sorry for doing, here, what I begged you not to do, yourself.
Levi Gwaltney, Parent
After one Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting, I spoke directly with Ms. Alaniz. During the meeting, support from the Central Office was discussed. Unsurprisingly, some parents brought to the committee’s attention a number of items that could improve the campus or improve the classroom experience. They were all well-thought requests, but they scared me.
“Please do not draw attention to this school,” I begged.
Like the triple-slit experiment demonstrates a fundamental change in a photon’s behavior when observed, I feared the gaze of the Central Office could irrevocably change what I believed to be a near perfect learning environment for my daughter. The teachers were (and continue to be) exemplary. The campus was (and continues to be) impeccable. The students were (and continue to be)… wonderful students–children (or young adults, if you prefer) making glorious mistakes and learning from them. Every day a student is on campus, that student is better for it.
I did not want attention brought to APECHS because I feared change.
Ten Days Ago…
On June 23, 2024, my inbox chimed.
Dear Arrowhead Families,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to share some important news with you. After much reflection, I have accepted a new position as the Executive Director of Teaching and Learning for LCPS…
[Details Omitted]
…Thank you for your unwavering support and partnership. It has been a privilege to lead Arrowhead Park Early College High School, and I am confident that the school will continue to thrive with our continued involvement.
Warm regards,
Gabriela Alaniz
Principal
Arrowhead Park Early College High School
Dear Ms. Alaniz,
Congratulations on your recent promotion!
In every interaction shared with you, there has never been an instance when you have accepted credit or praise for the outstanding school that is Arrowhead Park Early College High School (APECHS). You have been quick to credit the teachers and staff for any and all successes. Each milestone at APECHS has been marked by the dedication of each and every member of the APECHS team. I am sure you will find success in your new position since the number of people to whom you can give credit will be much larger. I am confident they will rise to the opportunity of deserving that praise. Las Cruces Public Schools’ central office has gained an excellent administrator, and our broader community has gained an exemplary leader.
Thank you for all you have done while at APECHS. There is only so much credit that can be given away, so I hope that you can take a moment and reflect on your personal contributions to the unequivocal best high school. I am so very thankful for the time my daughter had with you at the helm.
I am confident the new principal will continue in excellence. I promise to not make unfair comparisons, and pledge my support to whomever is privileged enough to stand as your successor. That said, I am biased–and you have given reason for me to be so.
You will be missed on campus. I wish you only the best in your new adventure.
Warm regards,
Levi Gwaltney, Parent
Thank you, Ms. Alaniz! (and congratulations, APECHS!)
Las Cruces Digest publishes local interest stories that are sometimes boring and sometimes biased; if there is any bias, it will be clearly stated. You can support Las Cruces Digest by following us on Facebook.
Las Cruces Digest is not affiliated in any way with Niche, but we are developing affiliate relationships for future publications.
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