Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School

The school operates under the slogan "The Whole Child for the Whole World," aiming to develop skillful, knowledgeable, compassionate, balanced, and internationally-minded lifelong learners. The educational approach emphasizes critical thinking, leadership development, and real-world problem-solving. The community is built on a shared commitment to curiosity, mutual respect, and meaningful growth.

The school delivers a 6-12 curriculum utilizing the Paideia instructional approach, which emphasizes student-centered learning, Socratic seminars, and the integration of subjects. In grades 11 and 12, students may pursue the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program, which includes the DP core (Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, Service) and six subject groups: Studies in language and literature, Language acquisition, Individuals and societies, Sciences, Mathematics, and the Arts. Academics are organized into six distinct departments that collaborate to foster critical thinking and intellectual curiosity.

The school's academic program is designed to prepare students for success in college and beyond. The curriculum is aligned to support students in pursuing the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, which is recognized globally as an advanced secondary credential. The school's first graduating class occurred in 2011.

The school provides dedicated support services, including a Special Education department and information regarding 504 plans. Additionally, the school maintains a health office staffed by a school nurse and offers mental health support resources for students, parents, and staff.

Admission to Cottonwood Classical is conducted through a lottery process, with the application window typically opening at the beginning of February each year. The school is a public charter, and the lottery system is designed to provide all applicants with a fair opportunity for enrollment. Prospective families can access the application, view important dates, and review uniform requirements through the school's website.

The school provides a centralized calendar hub that includes the official school calendar, an athletics calendar, and an events calendar. These resources track key dates such as start and end dates, holiday breaks, grading periods, athletic tryouts, practices, games, and school-wide events like assemblies and performances. Families can also access specific schedules for bells, buses, and school delays.

Located in the Journal Center in Albuquerque, the campus features a permanent facility that has undergone significant expansion, including a 24,000-square-foot addition completed in 2023. The school includes a main gymnasium, which undergoes periodic maintenance such as floor recoating and line painting. Further renovations to approximately 5,000 square feet of space were planned for completion by September 2024.

Students participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities as part of the school's NMAA membership, including eSports, Mock Trial, Speech and Debate, and Science Olympiad. Beyond these established programs, the school encourages students to form new clubs annually based on their personal interests. Additionally, the school offers student government and various "Coyote Pack" offerings.