RioTECH students embrace CTE education with opening of new school

RIO RANCHO — During a walk-through of his new school before classes began last month, incoming RioTECH student Donn Palmer described walking into the state-of-the-art welding facility for the first time as “a shock.” It was a far cry from the equipment he had used inside a trailer the year before.

“It’s almost fascinating to see something that has been talked about for a while actually be put in front of your eyes,” said Palmer, a senior at Rio Rancho High School.

His comments came during the first week of higher education credit courses at RioTECH (Rio Technical Education and Career Hub), Rio Rancho Public Schools’ career and technical education high school.

The beginning of classes at RioTECH, located at 7001 Zenith Court, mark a culmination in activity for the school, which saw a grand opening ceremony in the spring and a community night for families earlier this summer.

In an interview this week, RioTECH Principal Kris Johnson said he feels great about the new school starting CTE courses.

“This is the time that the students have been looking forward to for the last month,” Johnson said. “With CNM classes starting, (students) are starting to get ... that foundational piece they need for what is going to come for the next year, two years, or three years, depending on what cohort they’re with.”

RioTECH is the product of a 2024 agreement between RRPS and CNM that aims to expand CTE in Sandoval County for high school students and adult learners. To carry out this objective, RRPS committed to renovating the building, while CNM is building a new facility in the same area, where some of its CTE programs will transfer.

RioTECH serves approximately 150 students in grades 10-12, allowing them to take traditional high school and CTE courses under one roof, as opposed to traveling between their school and Central New Mexico Community College, according to a news release.

RioTECH students can choose from eight “pathways,” including automotive technology, computer information systems (networking), digital media, electrical, plumbing and gas fitting, residential carpentry, residential HVAC, and welding, according to the school’s website. Any of the pathways could lead students to earn credentials, certificates or an associate’s degree.

Sebi Parker, a CNM welding instructor who is in his first year of teaching with the community college, said of his students that it’s “pretty cool helping these young guys figure out their path.” Inside a welding lab Thursday, he showed a group of students how to assemble a welding machine.

“I know they want to get after the welding stuff. All of them are pretty eager,” Parker said. “It’s exciting to hopefully get them where they need to go as soon as possible.”

‘First experience withcollege classes’

The RioTECH school day goes from 7:30 a.m. to 1:35 p.m., including a half-hour lunch break in the middle of the day. Instruction is divided into four 81-minute class periods, which includes a “pathway” course to kick off the day, followed by an advisory period, before concluding with two traditional classes.

Under this system, students earn one full credit of a high school class per semester instead of the traditional half credit.

“A yearlong class in high school (is what) we’re taking in one semester, so it’s very fast-paced. But 80 minutes gives you enough time,” said Alyssa Elliott, a junior at Cleveland High School studying digital media at RioTECH.

Seniors, like Palmer, enroll in practicum courses to allow them to participate in work-based learning experiences.

“I can get a head start on life and start making money quicker,” said Palmer, who will have enough credits to earn a certificate in welding. If he takes summer courses, he could earn an associate’s degree.

Johnson said he sees students engaged in learning, asking good questions and being attentive to their instructors. He is particularly impressed with the 10th-graders.

“This is their first real experience of college classes,” Johnson said. “They’re learning to navigate what a college schedule feels like, going from a core class ... to a trade class. They’re either getting that foundational piece or they’re building on it.”

‘You know everyone’Elliott said she loves her new school.

“It gives you the opportunity to grow more than you could at a regular high school. You’re taking college classes,” Elliott said.

Jasmine Lam, a junior at Rio Rancho High School also studying digital media at RioTECH, notices the difference between studying at the new school compared to RRHS.

“It’s not like you’re walking in here and you’re going to a regular high school; there’s way more responsibility and expectations we have to live up to to give this school a good reputation,” Lam said.

Palmer said RioTECH’s first days have been “smooth,” and he hasn’t seen a lot of operational challenges.

“It’s been spectacular to see how well Dr. (Kris) Johnson and everyone has done here,” Palmer said.

In a class of 20 seniors, Palmer said RioTECH is “not your traditional high school.” But he knows the school’s enrollment will keep growing over the next few years, and it will change the school for the better.

“(The experience) will keep getting better than it already is, and I think (RioTECH) is a great opportunity for kids,” Palmer said.

Lam said RioTECH is quite small compared to the district’s other schools, and it creates a close-knit feel.

“You know everyone; you walk past a face, and you immediately know their name,” she said. “It’s good because you can help each other out, in a way — especially with college classes where you have to figure it out on your own.”