Frequently Asked Questions.
Here is a list of frequently asked questions about Southwest Learning Centers. If you don’t find the question/answer you’re looking for, please contact us via e-mail or call us at 296-7677.General FAQ
How does my child get selected to attend SLC?All three schools, Southwest Primary Learning Center, La Luz Del Monte Learning Center, and Southwest Secondary Learning Center use a lottery system. Your child is automatically entered into our lottery when an electronic or written Letter of Intent is submitted to the school for your child.
How many students are selected?
Openings for each grade level for the three schools are determined by the number of students returning in the spring of each school year.
How often is a lottery held?
Lotteries are held by July 31st, prior to the beginning of each school year.
Is Southwest Learning Centers a private school, and how much is tuition?
No, all three schools under the Southwest Learning Center umbrella are public schools and tuition is free. Due to our exceptional facilities, high-tech equipment, and professional atmosphere, the Southwest Learning Centers can be thought of as public schools that look and act like private schools.
Will Southwest Learning Centers provide bus/transportation to and from school for my child?
We do not provide transportation to and from school. It is the parent’s responsibility to provide transportation for their children.
Will Southwest Learning Centers provide breakfast/lunch for my student?
No. Your child should bring his/her own lunch. Refrigerators and microwave ovens are provided for student use.
My child is gifted/special needs. Will Southwest Learning Centers be able to accommodate him/her?
Southwest Learning Centers provides a customized college preparatory educational program for each student that is delivered in an inclusive, accepting environment. This makes the Southwest Learning Centers an ideal educational setting for college bound students.
Southwest Primary FAQ
How is Southwest Primary Learning Center different from Albuquerque Public Schools?Southwest Primary Learning Center is a smaller learning community made up of students who want to be here, great teachers who share the same educational philosophy, a supportive administration and an enriching environment for students in grades 4th to 6th. Southwest Primary Learning Center has a proven curriculum aligned to state standards. Grades and student progress can be viewed on line to keep parents informed. Southwest Primary Learning Center has very high test scores and works on preparing students to be independent and self-motivated as they move into other school programs within Southwest Learning Centers. The school operates Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 3:00pm with no early release on Wednesdays. Also, 6th grade is included as an elementary grade.
What if my child is not at the “same place” within his or her education as the rest of the students?
We are aware that children are coming from schools all over Albuquerque with different educational experiences and expectations. The Southwest Primary Learning Center teaching staff strives to “fill in” any gaps that may be in your child’s education. With the help of online tutorial systems and one-to-one teaching, Southwest Primary Learning Center students normally find themselves on equal footing within 6 to 9 weeks of beginning our program.
My child has been home-schooled prior to attending your school. Will he/she be able to adapt to Southwest Primary Learning Center?
Yes, parents of previously home-schooled students have constantly commented that the small school environment and high expectations of Southwest Primary Learning Center have made the transition from home-school easy and pleasurable for their child. If your child has always been home-schooled or has only recently been in a home-school setting, Southwest Primary Learning Center is an ideal public school choice.
My child is currently enrolled in an APS or other public school. Can he/she transfer to Southwest Primary Learning Center?
No. As with all schools under the Southwest Learning Center umbrella, your child will need to be entered into our lottery system. This process begins by completing a Letter of Intent.
Does Southwest Primary Learning Center offer an after school program?
Yes, Monday through Friday, 3pm to 5pm. This is completely supervised by our staff and features guided activities and study/homework time. It is available for a nominal cost to the parent.
La Luz Del Monte FAQ
My child is currently enrolled in an APS or other public school. Can he/she transfer to La Luz Del Monte?No. As with all schools under the Southwest Learning Center umbrella, your child will need to be entered into our lottery system by completing the Letter of Intent.
I understand that La Luz Del Monte is structured differently than most middle schools. What can my child expect during a normal school week?
The La Luz Del Monte Learning Center school day runs from 8am to 3pm Monday through Friday. Students attend classes in academic blocks of time in small groups. Classes are taught traditionally by “Highly Qualified” teachers. In general, each student will spend 1 hour 40 minutes with Language Arts, 1 hour 40 minutes with Math, 1 hour 40 minutes in Spanish and 1 hour 40 minutes in PE, as well as online study three days a week. Wednesdays alternate between community-based activities and the Southwest Learning Center Smart Lab program. Fridays are normally devoted to online curriculum.
Are all classes taught on-line?
No, most classes are taught in a traditional classroom setting. Our 7th grade students have one on-line, self-paced class for science, and our 8th grade class have two on-line, self-paced classes for science and social studies. This allows these younger students to “transition” to a self-paced environment where they are responsible for their own education.
How many students attend La Luz Del Monte?
La Luz Del Monte Learning Center has 50 7th grade students and 50 8th grade students. This small school setting allows for a more personalized education where your child will receive the one-to-one attention he or she needs during these important developmental years.
Does La Luz Del Monte offer an after school program?
Yes, Monday through Friday 3pm to 5pm. This is completely supervised by our staff and features guided activities and study/homework time. It is available for a nominal cost to the parent.
Southwest Secondary FAQ
Does this school give a “regular” diploma?Southwest Secondary Learning Center is certified by the North Central Association as a college preparatory school. Our diploma is a State of New Mexico College Preparatory High School Diploma. The standardized testing, state competencies and benchmarks, and graduation requirements are more challenging than they are for any other high school. However, the level of instruction, high expectations for achievement and academic advantages are far superior to any public or private high school in the State.
Does Southwest Secondary offer any extra-curricular activities?
Yes! We field teams that play other charter schools or city leagues in soccer, golf, tennis, basketball, volleyball, and flag football. We also offer student council, Youth in Government, yearbook, and compete in the Panasonic Academic Challenge and Knowledge Masters. Southwest Secondary Learning Center is a member of the New Mexico Activities Association.
Does Southwest Secondary Learning Center offer AP and Concurrent Enrollment courses?
Yes! Southwest Secondary Learning Center utilizes APEX Learning and Aventa Learning to provide all Advanced Placement courses offered in the Advanced Placement Handbook. Our students have the opportunity to participate in our concurrent enrollment programs with CNM, UNM, NM Tech, and Embry Riddle University. We assist these students with enrollment and pay 100 percent of the tuition. It is the student’s responsibility to pay for books for these classes.
How does the “self-paced education” system at SSLC work?
At Southwest Secondary Learning Center, students work at their own-pace. Their success is based on mastery of a course and not seat time. When they finish a course, they receive a grade for that course. Courses are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week from any Internet connected computer.
Will my child graduate on time?
Who is to say what is “on time"? Allow your child to work hard and find the pace that works best for them. If they graduate sooner than expected, clearly they have not had to wait for artificial time frames imposed in traditional schools. All students who graduate from the Southwest Secondary Learning Center are more prepared for post secondary educational opportunities and college. At the Southwest Secondary Learning Center, many of our juniors and seniors have classes at CNM and/or UNM through concurrent enrollment. Often our students have some of their college education completed by the time they graduate from high school.
Will my child have homework?
Because our courses are computer-based, they are available online at home. At Southwest Secondary Learning Center, students take responsibility for their own education, thus homework is a choice that the student makes for him or herself. If they are not working at home it is because they have chosen not to work at home. The Southwest Secondary Learning Center teaching staff strongly recommends that parents encourage students to work on courses from home. In-class time is best used to confer with sponsor teachers, get help in content areas where the student is struggling, and get direction from staff.
Contact Information
Southwest Learning Centers’
Administrative Team
Scott Glasrud, Ph. D.
Dolly Juarez, Ph. D.
Deborah Young, MA
Phone: 296-7677
Fax: 296-0510
Website: http://WWW.SSLC-NM.COM