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As Ms. Gondal’s J-1 visa term comes to an end, she is wrapping up a five-year chapter in the U.S. and preparing to return to the Philippines. During her time at MAS, she supported general elementary and special education students as a Reading and Language Mastery Teacher, and she built relationships that made New Mexico feel like home. Meet Ms. Gondal in their own words…

On Thursday, May 14, 2026, the Old Coors campus gymnasium at MAS Charter School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, became the setting for a different kind of academic test, one measured by quick recall, fast hands and the sound of more than 100 students cheering from the stands. Middle school students in grades 5-8 gathered for the finals of the Interclass Quiz Competition, an event that began after...

At MAS Charter School, Julian Burke says the best part came down to the people around him. His schoolmates, he says, were engaging and very creative. Julian also appreciated the supportive teachers he had, especially the ones who used different teaching techniques to help lessons click.

Ariana Zamora enrolled at MAS Charter School in the Fall of 2022, as a 9th grader, and she says the school’s structure helped her stay focused while building friendships that mattered. Outside of school, Ariana stayed involved through the technical team at her church and leaned into creative outlets like drawing and painting. In the fall, Ariana will attend...

Graduating senior Orion Wernke walked across the stage on Saturday, May 2, 2026, to accept his high school diploma, already planning for a future that includes owning and operating his own construction company. He plans to eventually build that life in Hawaii, with enough flexibility to surf at the end of the workday.

Some days can feel overwhelming for high school students, Naomi Venegas says, and time has a way of changing how those days look in hindsight. She enrolled in fall 2022, in the 9th grade, and she put that perspective to work while tackling dual college credit coursework and preparing for a future that includes...

Our next senior to step into the spotlight enrolled at Mission Achievement and Success Charter School in the fall of 2018 as a 5th grader, making him one of the longest-tenured students to participate in last week’s graduation ceremonies. By that time, Luke Stroud had completed 34 college credits through our dual credit program, the most in the Class of 2026, and...

Twenty-four. That’s the number of college credits Iommara Soto Guzman earned while in high school. To put that into perspective, an associate degree often requires about 60 credits, while a bachelor’s degree often requires about 120. That means Iommara is 40 percent of the way toward an associate degree and 20 percent of the way toward a bachelor’s degree.

A small garden can teach big lessons. For Safiyah Romero, time in a gardening club offered a hands-on way to learn about the environment and the satisfaction of growing food. Safiyah enrolled in seventh grade at MAS Charter School in fall 2020, and she says the years leading up to high school graduation helped shape the plans she’ll carry into the fall.

Joshua Rodriguez enrolled at Mission Achievement and Success Charter School in fall 2019 as a 6th grader. Over nearly seven years, he found his place by connecting with the people around him and developing healthy routines that helped him stay focused.

Jose Luis Rodriguez Molina has always made room for learning outside the classroom. Whether he is reading, collecting coins, or engaging with his with family, he says those activities help him appreciate the people around him and stay curious about the world.

Beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, a steady stream of vehicles began pulling up to the gymnasium entrance at MAS Charter School’s Yale campus in Albuquerque, New Mexico. There, more than 50 volunteers, including students, unloaded bags of donated clothing, shoes, and other essentials from trunks and back seats.

Karina Rios Loera still remembers the nerves she felt during her freshman year of high school, especially as she faced growing up and the changes ahead. After enrolling at MAS Charter School as a 5th grader in fall 2018, Karina gradually realized how much the journey would teach her about life and about who she was becoming.

“For my future plans, I intend to keep believing in myself, because no one else knows my potential better than I do.” That mindset has guided Zai Reyes Martínez during his years at MAS Charter School. Zai enrolled in fall 2018 as a 5th grader, making him one of the 14 students in the Class of 2026 with the longest tenure at the school.

When Yair talks about what he liked best about attending MAS, he points to the people who made the experience meaningful, including the close friends he made. He also appreciated the chance to take college classes while still in high school, which helped him feel more prepared for what comes next: majoring in a STEM subject at UNM.

Video editing and production have become popular creative outlets for many young people. For Malik Reese, who earned an 11th grade Student of The Week honor back in May of 2025, that interest has shaped a clear plan for what comes next. After high school graduation, he plans to...

Showing up on time became a habit that mattered to the next member of the Class of 2026. After enrolling at Mission Achievement and Success Charter School in the fall of 2022 as a 9th grader, Cynthia Delgado says the habits she built in high school helped sharpen her focus and shape the goals she plans to pursue next.

Alexis says the best part of attending MAS was the opportunity to take dual credit courses, which allow students to earn college credit while still in high school. She also appreciated the support available to students, including access to excellent lecturers and tutoring.

Estevan Munoz’s creativity and positive presence have stood out during his time at MAS Charter School. For instance, in 11th grade, he was recognized as a Yale Campus Student of the Week, with staff noting his positive attitude, willingness to volunteer, and consistent follow-through.

“High school went by very quickly, and I wish I had participated in more sports.” That reflection from Alina Orozco captures how fast these years can move, and how much growth can happen along the way. Alina enrolled at MAS in the fall of 2021 as an eighth grader, and she says her time at MAS helped shape the plans she is taking with her into the future.

Malcolm Molina likes to build things. Give him wood, metal, or access to a 3D printer, and he is in his element. That curiosity also points to what he plans to do next: study mechanical engineering, and a future shaped by hands-on problem solving. Malcolm transferred to MAS in the spring of 2024, during the second semester of 10th grade. He says one of the most meaningful parts of the MAS experience has been the way the...

Looking back on his years at Mission Achievement and Success Charter School, graduating senior Adan Munoz says high school brought challenges that helped him grow. He also values the moments he shared with friends, which he says helped shape who he is today.

There are many things Gabriela Mendez picked up during her years at MAS Charter School, and one of the most meaningful has been learning how confidence grows over time. Gabriela enrolled in the fall of 2019 as a 6th grader, and she says her high school journey helped her feel more prepared to take on challenges that once felt intimidating.

Ashley Matzir can picture a future that starts in the kitchen and grows into something bigger. Ten years from now, she sees herself running her own business as a chef, building a home life she loves, and expanding to new locations as her goals take shape.

Kryzt Mabini talks about high school as a series of opportunities, and what you choose to do with them. That perspective took shape during his time at MAS Charter School. Running cross country for the MAS Bulls was one of the experiences that helped him grow. Kryzt says running kept him productive while offering a place to develop and use his athletic abilities. It also taught him...