Las Montañas Charter High School Vision Shows a Brighter Future for Students

At Las Montañas Charter High School (LMCHS), students don’t just attend school—they find a place where they belong. LMCHS is a grades 9–12 public charter school in Las Cruces, New Mexico, designed to serve students who may not thrive in a traditional school environment. Whether students have experienced bullying, trauma at home, social-emotional challenges, or simply felt lost in a larger school setting, LMCHS creates a supportive learning environment where every student is known and valued.

“Many of our students have experienced adverse childhood experiences in their young life,” says Caz Martinez, Superintendent and Principal at LMCHS. “We recognize this and focus on more than academics and graduation requirements. Our goal is to break generational cycles.”

Building Belonging Through Student-Centered Learning

To support students holistically, LMCHS developed a Student Learning Community program focused on social-emotional learning (SEL), communication skills, and relationship building. Students learn how to collaborate with peers, connect with teachers and families, and prepare for success with future employers.

A key factor in the school’s success is its low teacher turnover rate. Martinez, who began her career at LMCHS as a teacher in 2009, explains why that stability matters: “The teachers know the students. They know their demographics. They know their culture.”

Career and Technical Education as a Pathway to Opportunity

Career and Technical Education (CTE) plays a central role in LMCHS’s approach to student success. Recognizing the need for meaningful career pathways and workforce readiness, the school launched its first CTE pathways—Construction and Education—two years ago. With strong ties to the local community and labor market, school leaders identified construction as a high-demand field with strong employment opportunities.

“CTE gives students a light at the end of the tunnel,” says Martinez. “A diploma isn’t enough anymore. We’re giving them prospects and opportunities for future advancement.”

Within months, LMCHS saw measurable results. Students enrolled in CTE courses were not only succeeding in their pathway classes but also showing improved performance and engagement across their academic coursework.

“Students are really motivated by learning to create things,” Martinez adds. “They take their projects home and hang them on the wall. They’re proud of what they’re doing and understand they’re working toward a real goal.”

Expanding CTE Pathways and Career Exploration

Today, LMCHS offers five CTE pathways aligned to high-demand careers:

• Audio/Video Technology
• Transportation
• Architecture & Construction
• Business
• Education

To support this growth, LMCHS hired a dedicated CTE Director, Antionette Cisneros, whose background includes special education and strong community partnerships.

“We’re evolving into a CTE-focused school,” Martinez explains. “Antionette’s role has grown into a case-manager model, helping students identify the career pathway that fits them best.”

Beginning in July, all LMCHS students participate in an exploratory semester, where they learn about different careers, job responsibilities, and salary expectations. By January 2024, students select the pathway they want to pursue—empowering them to make informed decisions about their futures.

Implementing iCEV’s Online CTE Curriculum and Certifications

When LMCHS sought a flexible, comprehensive online CTE curriculum, a local community partner—the home builders association—recommended iCEV. iCEV provides industry-aligned CTE courses and industry-recognized certifications developed in collaboration with business and industry leaders.

With over 100 courses across 16 Career Clusters and 11 subject areas, iCEV offers one of the largest libraries of Career and Technical Education curriculum available. Through a site license, LMCHS gained access to all iCEV courses and began implementation in summer 2023 for the Audio/Video, Transportation, Architecture & Construction, and Business pathways.

“Our teachers are seeing the benefits, and there’s strong buy-in,” says Cisneros. “I probably use it the most. I love that the curriculum is ready to use as-is, and the content is solid.”

iCEV’s curriculum includes lesson plans, presentations, projects, activities, assessments, and instructional resources, allowing teachers to start teaching immediately. With support for blended learning and customization, LMCHS educators currently integrate iCEV lessons into their face-to-face instruction.

Learn more about iCEV’s offerings:

• Career and Technical Education Curriculum
• Industry-Recognized Certifications

Funding Innovation and Community Partnerships

LMCHS funded its CTE expansion through a braided funding model, leveraging the federally supported New Mexico Innovation Zones Initiative, Carl Perkins Grant funding, and the state-funded NextGen program. Martinez also works closely with the New Mexico College and Career Readiness Bureau to identify additional funding opportunities.

Strong partnerships with local employers in government, transportation, construction, and audio/visual industries give students access to hands-on, real-world experiences. The broader Las Cruces community continues to rally around LMCHS students and their success.

“We’re investing in them,” Cisneros says. “We’re letting them explore new opportunities, and eventually that turns into something they can pursue after high school. Students know they need the academics and the career skills to stay on track and reach that future.”