How much does it cost to attend Dorn?
Dorn is a FREE, public school. We are authorized by Albuquerque Public Schools (APS). As a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Title I School, Dorn Charter provides free breakfast and lunch to all students.

I thought all charter schools were private, how can Dorn be a public school?
Charter schools are independently-operated public schools that have the freedom to design classrooms that meet their students’ needs. All charter schools operate under a contract with a charter school authorizer – Dorn operates under APS & the Public Education Department – that holds them accountable to the high standards outlined in their “charter.”

Each charter school is unique – both inside and out. Some focus on college prep, some follow a STEM curriculum, and others integrate the arts into each subject. Some charter schools require uniforms, others have longer school days, and some teach their entire curriculum in two languages. Charter schools aim to provide a range of options so that parents can choose the public school that best fits their child.

The reasons that parents choose charter schools for their children are just as unique as the students themselves. They choose charter schools because of the strong, dedicated teachers, because the school's focus matches their child’s needs, or simply because their child was struggling in their assigned public school and needed to try something new. Charter schools provide families with options in public education, allowing parents to take a more active role in their child’s education.

Do charter schools compete with government run public schools, and put them at risk?
Current research suggests charter schools have not negatively impacted public schools while providing additional benefits to students and educators:

“The research allows policymakers and educators to put some concerns about charter schools to rest. The introduction of charter schools has not resulted in racial or ethnic segregation, and the schools have not drawn the highest-achieving students away from traditional public schools. While the research does not find that charter schools cause traditional public schools to improve through competition, they do offer expanded educational options to students and the opportunity for greater innovation by educators. Therefore, support of charter schools can be seen as consistent with the federal role of encouraging equal educational opportunity,” - From "The Role of Charter Schools in Improving Education" on the RAND Corporation website, written by Sally J. Bodilly.

I am concerned about racism and other forms of inequality, will my child learn about racial and social justice at Dorn?
As the only elementary school in New Mexico founded and chartered by African Americans, The Dorn Community Charter School believes equality, social justice, and racial justice must be core aspects of a child’s learning experience. Our teachers have all participated in anti-racism training with ARTI, The Anti-Racism Training Institute of the Southwest, and we work closely with community leaders to raise consciousness and promote social and racial justice in the Albuquerque area.

Is Dorn diverse?
Our teachers reflect the diversity of New Mexico, and we are proud to have one of the most diverse K-5 student bodies in Albuquerque, with a broad spectrum of New Mexico's races and cultures represented and supported.

What distinguishes Dorn from other charter and private schools in Albuquerque?
Although Dorn is a free, public school, it is much smaller than most public schools giving it a quaint feel, small class sizes and more one-on-one attention to each student. At Dorn we combine structured teaching and hands-on activities with a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) focus. We incorporate art, storytelling, and other innovative approaches — including Martha’s Garden, our award-winning, science-based community garden — to encourage and reward children’s intellectual curiosity and capitalize on learning opportunities in the urban outdoor environment.

What is Martha's Garden?
Martha’s Garden is our award-winning science-based community garden that extends both the classroom and the after-school program out of doors, allowing students to enrich their reading, math and science skills. The garden also expands cultural literacy by providing a way for New Mexico’s great Native American, Hispanic, and other local culinary and healing traditions to be taught and passed on to future generations. You can learn more about Martha's Garden here.

Does Dorn have small class sizes?
Yes, At Dorn Community Charter School we believe a child learns best in small classrooms where they can receive one-on-one attention from our teachers. Our classroom sizes typically range from 15 to 21 students, providing a safe, intimate environment where each student receives a personalized experience that best suits their unique learning style, developmental level, and personality.

How do I enroll my child at Dorn?
You may call the school office at (505) 243-1434 and you can enroll on our website here.

When does the Fall semester start?
We are an Extended Learning Time Program school for 2022-23, so school will start on August 3rd for students and the last day will be Friday, June 2nd, 2023

Will you be virtual in the Fall, or will you have in-person classrooms?
The Dorn Community Charter School designed and implemented an engaging, rigorous and well-balanced virtual learning program for SY2020-21. We returned to in-person instruction in April 2021 while maintaining our virtual learning program option for interested families. Dorn Charter School continues to monitor direction from the NM Public Education Department, and we anticipate a return to full in-person instruction for SY2021-22.