Youth Build Albuquerque/M.A.S. Charter School Facility Challenge

The leadership of Youth Build Albuquerque (Y.B.A.) wanted to expand their charter school program by building  a new facility. They also wanted to find new ways to generate revenue.  They wished to do so as they wanted to purchase their proposed facility in the near future.

Youth Build Albuquerque/M.A.S. Charter School Project

Our goal was to create a new facility and operating model for the school. We wished to stimulate program development, new student growth, and community excitement. As a result, the school would be able to create a platform for financial self-sufficiency.  We also needed to bring together complementary charter schools to occupy this site, as Youth Build Albuquerque could not afford the building alone.

Youth Build Albuquerque/M.A.S. Charter School Result

A 60,000 square foot parking garage transformed into a state-of-the-art educational campus. The school ended up with on-site legal and health services, a gymnasium, computer lab, and day care center.  As a result Y.B.A. became the anchor charter school within the facility. In addition to Y.B.A., Cesar Chavez and La Resolana Academy also shared the building. The three schools shared costs to make the building affordable for all as they grew.  None of the schools competed with each other, and all three schools were able to take advantage of facility resources as well as amenities that they would not have been able to afford on their own.  The shared concept worked! Eventually, M.A.S. Charter School moved in and took over full occupancy of the site. Since then M.A.S. has become one of the top performing and most respected charter schools in New Mexico.

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