(Ruidoso, NM) — The announcement this week that Ruidoso Municipal Schools has been designated an Early College High School by the Public Education Department is good news for students, parents and taxpayers in Ruidoso, says ENMU-Ruidoso President, Dr. Ryan Carstens.
The new Ruidoso Early College Academy will allow many high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to take college-level courses and earn college level credits before graduating from high school.
That means students and parents can save time and money compared to traditional university costs for tuition, room and board, and students can move more quickly to a career or further college education.
“The Early College Academy will enable students who want to pursue post-secondary workforce training or traditional college education to get a solid start by taking basic college courses for dual credit.” said Dr. Ryan Carstens, president of ENMU-Ruidoso. Taxpayers also win when students complete college classes, certificates or degrees right here at home, to prepare them for work or further education.
“The state is redesigning dual credit to better meet the educational needs of New Mexicans,” Dr. Carstens noted. “By approving this new designation, the state is acknowledging the years of good work already done in partnership between Ruidoso High School and ENMU-Ruidoso.
“We are proud to work with Ruidoso High School to leverage our combined resources to serve our students, and also to reach out to students who might not know how important post-secondary training is to their future. This new designation is another way that students’ possibilities will be elevated.”
