Independence High School Faces Restructuring After Missing State Graduation Threshold

Independence High School, Rio Rancho Public Schools' alternative high school on Quantum Road, is heading into a state-mandated restructuring process after failing to meet New Mexico's 66.67% three-year graduation rate threshold, placing it under the New Mexico Public Education Department's "more rigorous interventions" status despite assistance from the agency.

Principal Jessica Sanchez briefed the RRPS Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Sue Cleveland at a Monday meeting, telling them the school is already moving on the problem before the formal paperwork arrives. "I will tell you, before we even get that (application), we are meeting constantly in a proactive approach for the restructuring and coming up with some ideas. I want to get ahead of it," Sanchez said.

The trigger for the restructuring is NMPED's release this month of "Significant Restructure and Redesign, Restart and Closure" applications, which cover a range of potential changes schools may be required to pursue. Sanchez said she planned to pick up a copy of the application at a statewide spring school budget meeting on March 18. "I'll have a better idea of what we need to do and work from there," she said.

Under federal law, restructuring requires changes to a school's operations ranging from leadership to instruction to address low performance. The specific path Independence High School will take, whether redesign, restart, or another option, has not been determined pending review of the application.

The restructuring pressure lands at a particularly demanding moment for the school. Sanchez and her staff are simultaneously preparing to graduate the class of 2026 while also working toward opening a new building the following year. Which restructuring option NMPED ultimately requires will shape what that future campus looks like and who leads it.