Albuquerque Aviation Academy (formerly SAMS Academy)
ABOUT US
Founded in 2012, Albuquerque Aviation Academy (formerly SAMS Academy) is a free, public STEAM charter school located in our brand new facility in the Ventana Ranch community that prepares students in grades 6-12 for college and career in a unique, stimulating atmosphere where innovation and imagination soar!
As a student, you’re challenged through our rigorous, blended online curriculum, college dual enrollment, and hands-on STEAM lab. If you’re interested in the aviation industry, you can earn your private pilot certificate and even fly a real plane in our nationally-recognized aviation program!
With our Edgenuity online curriculum, your learning can continue even when you’re at home—like during a pandemic!
Admission
New students may apply to Albuquerque Aviation Academy at any time. If and when we are full, new Albuquerque Aviation Academy students are drawn through a lottery process, which opens in January and is drawn in March for the upcoming school year.
Aeronautics
Albuquerque Aviation Academy Aviation is a one-of-a-kind program designed to instill professionalism, integrity, and leadership in students in grades 6-12.
Academics
Our rigorous online curriculum allows students to work with guided support at school and independently at home, while fostering self-motivation and tools for success.
Activities
Albuquerque Aviation Academy students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities, athletics and competitive sports through our affiliation with the Albuquerque Charter School League.
College Prep
Albuquerque Aviation Academy graduates are well prepared for college and career when they leave our campus. For those who want to jumpstart their post-secondary education, we offer dual enrollment through CNM and other colleges.
STEAM
Our SmartLab® learning environment gives students unique hands-on opportunities to create impressive projects focused on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) principles, using a wide range of technologies—while elevating their thinking and problem solving skills to the next level.
What's Happening
![First page of the PDF file: WingsWeekly9262024]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1727387551/samsacademycom/nfwkrbqylk4bipr7lhw4/WingsWeekly9262024.pdf","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1727387551/samsacademycom/nfwkrbqylk4bipr7lhw4/WingsWeekly9262024.pdf","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1727387551/samsacademycom/nfwkrbqylk4bipr7lhw4/WingsWeekly9262024.pdf","width":612}])
![First page of the PDF file: WingsWeekly9192024]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1726771253/samsacademycom/it6i9ydnthyzu47nr5zp/WingsWeekly9192024.pdf","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1726771253/samsacademycom/it6i9ydnthyzu47nr5zp/WingsWeekly9192024.pdf","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1726771253/samsacademycom/it6i9ydnthyzu47nr5zp/WingsWeekly9192024.pdf","width":612}])
![First page of the PDF file: WingsWeekly9122024]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1726182064/samsacademycom/ewvqjuvkaochlszajfvs/WingsWeekly9122024.pdf","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1726182064/samsacademycom/ewvqjuvkaochlszajfvs/WingsWeekly9122024.pdf","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1726182064/samsacademycom/ewvqjuvkaochlszajfvs/WingsWeekly9122024.pdf","width":612}])
![Yearbooks]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1725643787/samsacademycom/ihj3s39y8ry26efvumtg/Yearbook11.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1725643787/samsacademycom/ihj3s39y8ry26efvumtg/Yearbook11.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1725643787/samsacademycom/ihj3s39y8ry26efvumtg/Yearbook11.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1725643787/samsacademycom/ihj3s39y8ry26efvumtg/Yearbook11.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1725643787/samsacademycom/ihj3s39y8ry26efvumtg/Yearbook11.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1725643787/samsacademycom/ihj3s39y8ry26efvumtg/Yearbook11.png","width":1728}])
Swapable Panel Container
By the Numbers
4+3
Number of students who currently have received their private pilot's certificate during the 2024-2025 school year. Another 3 students are certified drone pilots.
24
Number of ZIP codes in Central New Mexico from which our students attend.
12
Number of years we have proudly served students of New Mexico.
306
Number of students currently enrolled and attending Albuquerque Aviation Academy in the 2023-2024 school year.
22
Our average class size, in students.
100+
Number of students currently enrolled in our aeronautics courses.