Inside Early College Opportunities High School 

At Early College Opportunities High School in Santa Fe, students are experiencing a different kind of high school education – one that blends traditional academics with hands-on career training and college-level coursework. Through programs like those offered at ECO, students can explore career pathways, build real-world skills, and even begin earning college credit before graduation.

Schools like ECO reflect a broader effort supported by the New Mexico Public Education Department to expand career technical education and early college opportunities across the state. By investing in programs that connect classroom learning with real-world experience, the department is working to ensure students graduate with the skills, confidence, and options they need for their next steps after high school.

New Mexico Public Education Department Secretary Mariana D. Padilla views student messages displayed during a recent visit to Early College Opportunities High School. The interactive display, created in the shape of a tree, is covered with colorful sticky notes filled with messages of support, motivation, and positivity for students. The display acts as a visual reminder of the school’s commitment to creating a supportive learning environment where students feel encouraged as they pursue their goals.

Secretary Padilla and Santa Fe Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Christine Griffin tour the welding lab at ECO. Through technical education programs such as welding, students gain hands-on experience with industry-grade equipment while developing skills that can lead directly to careers or further training after graduation.

Programs like this support the PED’s efforts to expand career pathways and strengthen workforce readiness for students across New Mexico.

Students at ECO gain hands-on experience in the automotive technology shop, where they learn the fundamentals of vehicle maintenance, diagnostics, and repair using professional-grade tools and equipment.

As part of their training, students often work on their own vehicles as well as cars belonging to members of their community, providing maintenance and repairs at low to no cost while building practical experience.

Secretary Padilla speaks with students during an art and design class at ECO, where students were working on a laser cutting project. Courses like this blend creativity with modern technology, allowing students to explore design concepts while gaining experience using tools used in advanced manufacturing and digital fabrication.

Schools like Early College Opportunities High School represent the kind of learning environments the New Mexico Public Education Department is working to expand across the state. By supporting programs that combine career technical education, early college opportunities, and hands-on learning, the department is helping ensure students graduate with more than just a diploma – they leave with practical skills, college credit, and a clearer vision for their future.

Through investments in innovative programs and partnerships with local districts, the Public Education Department continues to prioritize opportunities that prepare students for college and the workforce. At ECO, classrooms, labs, and workshops all serve the same purpose: giving New Mexico students the tools, experience, and confidence they need to succeed long after they leave high school.