Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)

AVID provides support and encouragement for students to become college and career ready.

Sierra Middle School

Picacho Middle School

Academic Career Experience (ACE)

ACE provides field-based work experience for students that is aligned to their career interest/program of study.

All high schools

Advanced Placement (AP)

LCPS high schools offer AP courses in English, Mathematics, Science, History, Foreign Language, Art, and Music.  Students who make a qualifying score on an AP exam may be eligible for college credit.

Courses vary by high school.  See high school course guides for offerings

Advanced Pre-K class

Stand-alone classroom for academically advanced students who do not meet the age criteria to enter kindergarten.

Classroom is housed at NMSU Myrna’s Children’s Village

After school programs

A wide range of extra curricular, co-curricular, and child care after school programs are available.

See school websites for program offerings.

Bilingual Programs

Bilingual and Dual Language programs are offered to support acquisition of English and Spanish languages.

Programs vary by school.  See Bilingual Department website for details.

Career & Technical Education (CTE)

Programs of study and career pathways are offered in a variety of areas, such as health care, engineering, culinary arts, agricultural sciences, and media.

Programs vary by high school.  See CTE page for more information.

Challenger Learning Center

Challenger Learning Center is a space-themed experiential learning center that emphasizes problem solving, critical thinking, communication and teamwork.

6th-grade students experience a mission in the fall semester as part of their earth and space science curriculum. 5th-grade students receive an in-class mission in the spring semester. Some high school science courses also visit the center. Please see the Challenger Learning Center of Las Cruces website for upcoming community events, information about camps, and for more information on all Challenger outreach programs. 

Dual Credit

High School junior and senior students may take college courses through Doña Ana Community College and New Mexico State University and receive both college and high school credit.

Dual credit courses are available to all LCPS high school students who meet the admission requirements.

Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC)

JROTC programs are designed “to instill in students… the values of citizenship, service to the United States, and personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment. (United States Code).”  JROTC programs are offered at three LCPS comprehensive high schools.

Las Cruces High (Army JROTC)

Mayfield High (Air Force JROTC)

Oñate High (Navy JROTC)

Middle School Magnet Programs

Magnet programs provide extra instruction and field experiences for students interested in science, engineering, media, film, broadcasting, art, and music.  Interested students are admitted through a random selection process.

Lynn, Sierra, and Mesa Middle Schools

See the Magnet page for more information.

Virtual Learning Academy (VLA)

The Virtual Learning Academy offers on-line courses for acceleration, enrichment, and credit recovery.  Limited space is available for students wanting to attend school fully on-line.

All schools

Visual and Performing Arts

Music programs in band, orchestra, and choir are offered at middle and high schools.  Various visual and performing arts classes, such as studio arts, theater, and dance are also offered in secondary schools.  Elementary students received weekly instruction in music and art.

All schools