Alamogordo High School Principal, April Shay, can point to apartment buildings and houses around town that high school students built when she was a student. 

“We had a booming building trades program in the ‘80s,” she says. 

But that program and several other Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs had dwindled or died out by the time Shay’s own kids were in high school there. Shay’s daughter, who graduated in 2021, had to pay for her own welding equipment - helmet, goggles, shirt, etc - in addition to paying a fee to participate. The initial investment in equipment is expensive and can be a barrier for many students. Fortunately, Shay says that by the time her son - who graduated in 2024 - took welding, the school provided safety equipment and had updated the shop. These changes have come about thanks to the efforts of teachers, community members, and the district’s CTE Coordinator, Anna Alday, who is the driving force behind securing funding and support for CTE programs - including Innovation Zone funding.

Innovation Zones (IZ), a state run initiative that launched in 2021, provides participating schools with funding and technical assistance to develop graduate profiles and implement work-based learning (WBL), CTE programs, capstone projects, social and emotional learning (SEL), and other programs aligned with core academics. Alamogordo School District was an early participant and focused on creating a graduate profile, revamping existing CTE pathways, and launching new CTE pathways and WBL opportunities. Their focus on homegrown talent is something that is consistent among districts who have been awarded Innovation Zone support.

“We are working hard for our kids and for our community,” explains Shay. 

“The community doesn't want to export our greatest goods, which is our kids,” adds Alday. “And the mission and vision behind CTE is that we are building programs that will create positive economic growth for the Alamogordo community. Yes, we will have students leave and pursue opportunities elsewhere; that's inevitable. But if we can create programs that prepare our kids and partner with our community to create opportunities, we are positively contributing to economic growth, which is really, really important.”

The hard work is paying off. Alamogordo now has 14 CTE pathways, three of which are brand new and four of which have been revamped. Students can take classes and participate in paid internships in pathways such as Film and Media Production, Law, Engineering, Automotive, Biomedical Science, Culinary, Teacher Academy, and Computer Science, to name a few. 

These CTE programs and other work-based learning (WBL) opportunities have come about in response to student interest, community needs, and the backgrounds and interests of teachers. 

Alday’s approach centers on what she calls a "full-circle sustainability model." By investing in programs that generate their own revenue, the district ensures that WBL opportunities will continue whether or not outside funding does.  

A prime example is Alamogordo’s agriculture program, which faced dwindling enrollment just a few years ago. The district has revitalized the program by modernizing its greenhouse and introducing hydroponics and aquaponics. Students now grow produce, raise fish, and manage small livestock like quail - activities that give them valuable work experience and prepare them for agricultural careers in their community. But these systems are more than educational tools; they allow students to sell eggs, fish, and produce, generating income to sustain their learning. 

Other programs are following suit. The automotive program plans to launch a detailing service next year and welding students will sell custom metal art. Meanwhile, the film program is gearing up to create media projects for local clients. The hope is that the programs will be able to pay for themselves - the costs of materials, equipment, and training can add up. 

“We’re building up as many programs as we possibly can,” says Alday. “And we’re making them sustainable so we can continue to pay students.” 

All of the students get paid $15 an hour for their internships. Innovation Zone funding has also helped the district secure vehicles to transport students to various internships, as needed. 

For students, hands-on work experience in their communities is transformative. Alday and Shay highlight standout participants like Benito, a junior in the agriculture pathway. Benito takes pride in managing the greenhouse, ensuring that quail are cared for, aquaponic systems are maintained, and plants are thriving. Alday says she never has to worry because Benito is on top of it. 

“He has taken so much pride in being able to have that responsibility and being trusted,” Alday says.

Another example is Elijah, a student who has participated in multiple internships, including a summer academy focused on law enforcement and firefighting. Today, Elijah works as an intern at the school, handling critical tasks like maintaining personal protective equipment for trade programs.

These hands-on experiences allow students to explore career paths, gain valuable skills, and contribute meaningfully to their communities - while also earning a competitive wage.

Beyond developing a sustainability model, Alamogordo hopes they’ll be able to offer individualized capstone options and credit recovery capstone classes for students in the near future. 

“If there's another way that we could help ignite that love of learning,” says Shay, “we are looking into it.” 

One key part of being able to make all of these amazing changes is having the support of committed teachers.

“Our teachers are the backbone and cornerstone of everything that we do everyday, and without them, we would not have the great CTE programs that we are setting up,” says Alday. 

The teachers have been instrumental, but the district has to ensure that programs won’t fold if a teacher leaves - it has to be sustainable both in terms of people and funding. Alday says that if Alamogordo lost Innovation Zone funding right now, only three or four of the 14 programs would be self-sustaining. This is the biggest challenge for Alamogordo - and many other IZ schools moving forward. 

As New Mexico’s Innovation Zone Initiative continues to evolve, districts like Alamogordo serve as a reminder of what’s possible when schools embrace creativity and collaboration. The Alamogordo model offers insight and examples of ways to leverage IZ funding for lasting impact. By investing strategically and thinking beyond the walls of the classroom, schools across New Mexico can create more opportunities for students and communities. It’s hard work and it takes the entire community, but IZ schools are consistently proving that change is possible.

“It's our teachers. It's our admin. It's our counselors. It's everyone who is open to change within our district. And that's who has made this possible,” concludes Alday.