Graduation Success – Cobre High School

At Cobre High School, graduation is not treated as a finish line that students are expected to reach on their own. It is something built intentionally through opportunity and support from a school culture designed to keep students connected and engaged from the moment they walk through the doors.

With a graduation rate of 87.2%, above the New Mexico state average, Cobre High School is proving that student success is possible when schools combine strong academics with real-world opportunities and meaningful relationships.

School leaders say the success did not happen overnight. Instead, it has come through years of building programs that prepare students not just for their graduation day, but for life after high school.

“One of the biggest reasons our graduation rate is high is our small community and the fact that our teachers truly care about these kids succeeding,” said Interim Principal and Dean of Students Zoya Provencio. “Students need to know that when they walk through our doors, they are valued and supported.”

A major driver of Cobre’s graduation success has been the expansion of dual-credit opportunities. Associate Superintendent Suzanne Chavira said that just a few years ago, only about 20 students were enrolled in dual-credit courses. Today, nearly 90 students participate.

At this year’s graduation ceremony, every graduating senior stood when asked if they had completed a dual enrollment class.

“That was a huge moment,” Chavira said. “It really showed how much access and opportunity have expanded for our students.”

Cobre has also leaned heavily into Career and Technical Education pathways and work-based learning opportunities, many of which have been made possible through state-supported grants, including the Perkins Grant and the Innovations Grant.

The school currently offers pathways in welding and construction trades, business, and media production, giving students hands-on experiences that connect classroom learning directly to future careers. Students in the welding pathway can graduate with industry certifications already in hand, while students in business and media courses gain experience using professional-level equipment.

“We’re preparing students for the world of work,” Provencio said. “When students can see a future for themselves and connect what they’re learning to real careers, they become much more engaged in school.”

That engagement extends beyond the classroom. Through paid work-based learning opportunities, students are partnered with businesses and organizations throughout the community, including veterinary clinics, agricultural programs, law enforcement agencies, and local real estate offices, according to Provencio.

“These opportunities allow students to explore careers before they graduate,” Provencio went on to say. “Some students realize exactly what they want to do, while others learn what may not be the right fit for them – and both outcomes are valuable.”

School leaders say another key to success is providing support before students fall too far behind. This year, Cobre implemented its “Effort Time” program, an intervention period built into the school schedule every other week. During that time, students struggling academically receive targeted support from teachers in small-group or one-on-one settings.

Rather than reteaching an entire lesson, teachers focus specifically on the skills individual students need help mastering.

“It gives students dedicated time during the school day to catch up and ask questions,” Provencio said. “Sometimes students just need a smaller setting and extra support to build confidence.”

That level of support often extends far beyond academics.

At one point during the school year, a small group of seniors were at risk of not graduating. Instead of allowing those students to quietly fall behind, teachers stepped in immediately, volunteering to mentor students individually and help them complete missing coursework.

“Teachers were reaching out and asking, ‘What can I do to help this student graduate?’” Provencio said. “Some of them weren’t even currently teaching those students anymore, but they still stepped in because they cared.”

That close-knit culture is something both administrators say makes Cobre High School unique. Traditions like the school’s annual “Painting of the C,” where students repaint the large “C” overlooking the campus, and community send-offs for students competing at state events help create a sense of belonging and school pride that keeps students coming back.

Even small traditions, Provencio said, can become reasons students stay connected.

“Students want to be part of something,” she said. “When they feel connected to their school community, they want to keep showing up.”

For Cobre High School, graduation success is not tied to one single program or strategy. It is the result of academic opportunities, workforce preparation, targeted interventions, and a school culture founded on relationships.

As New Mexico continues prioritizing student success and career readiness statewide, schools like Cobre are showing what can happen when students are supported not only academically, but also personally and professionally as well.