Public Academy for Performing Arts
Public Academy for Performing Arts is a tuition-free public charter school in Albuquerque, NM, serving up to 450 students in grades 6–12 with an integrated college-preparatory and performing arts curriculum funded by the NM Public Education Department.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersAlbuquerque, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Public Academy for Performing Arts does
Public Academy for Performing Arts (PAPA) is a public charter school located at 11800 Princess Jeanne Ave NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico, serving grades 6 through 12 with a maximum enrollment of 450 students. The school was founded in 2001 by a group of community members (Frank Butler, Kristina Lord Linde, Bob Perls, Joan Findley Perls, Valerie Scott, and Fred Pink) and operates under a charter authorized by Albuquerque Public Schools, with renewals completed in 2005, 2010, and 2014. PAPA integrates a rigorous college-preparatory academic curriculum — including AP courses and dual enrollment through the University of New Mexico and Central New Mexico Community College — with a comprehensive performing arts program spanning five dance disciplines (Flamenco, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Ballet), instrumental and vocal music (Band, Orchestra, Choir, Guitar, Piano, Modern Band), theatre, musical theatre, film, and visual arts. All students participate in mandatory music and dance classes.
The school's business model is non-tuition public charter funding: revenue flows from the New Mexico Public Education Department via APS-authorized per-pupil allocations, with ancillary activity fees (dance costumes, yearbook, lunch, prom tickets) collected through PayPal and small donations accepted online. Admission is governed by an annual lottery with sibling priority, supplemented by a February open house as the primary prospective-family engagement mechanism. The organization is governed by a council of parents and community members and led by Executive Director Tamara Lopez, with a staff of approximately 29 including an Assistant Director, Special Services Director, Business Manager, ~30 teachers, a counselor, social worker, registrar, and operations staff.
The technology stack is standard K-12 EdTech: PowerSchool for student information and grades, Google Classroom (with course codes bsxj4izc for high school and 3uxxuzfh for middle school) and Edmodo for instruction, Chromebooks as student devices, SchoolCafe for free-and-reduced meal applications, PayPal for payments, Eventbrite for concert ticketing, and the Alongside app for mental health and social-emotional learning support including an AI chatbot feature. The school draws students from Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Belen, Moriarty, and Santa Fe, and reports outcomes including a 93% graduation rate (2018–2019 cohort), 94% college attendance among graduates, and 76% of juniors and seniors enrolled in dual-credit college courses, with 85% of the gross budget directed to instruction.
Public Academy for Performing Arts firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Public Academy for Performing Arts
- Legal name
- Public Academy for Performing Arts
- Website
- https://paparts.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Public Academy for Performing Arts is a tuition-free public charter school in Albuquerque, NM, serving up to 450 students in grades 6–12 with an integrated college-preparatory and performing arts curriculum funded by the NM Public Education Department.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Public Academy for Performing Arts industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Charter School Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Charter Arts & Performing Arts Schools (EDAJACAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Charter College-Prep & Advanced Academics Schools (EDAJACAJ)
Keywords
Where Public Academy for Performing Arts is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Albuquerque
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Public Academy for Performing Arts business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Public Charter School Funding: Funded through NM Public Education Department and authorized by Albuquerque Public Schools. No tuition charged to attend. Revenue comes from government education funding.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | No tuition required |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Public Academy for Performing Arts product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Public Academy for Performing Arts (PAPA) is a tuition-free public charter school in Albuquerque, NM serving grades 6-12 (maximum enrollment 450) that integrates a rigorous college preparatory curriculum—including AP and dual enrollment through UNM and CNM—with comprehensive performing arts education across dance, music, theatre, musical theatre, film, and visual arts. Students are admitted via an annual lottery with sibling priority, and may earn college credit while in high school through dual enrollment partnerships. The school is funded through the NM Public Education Department and authorized by Albuquerque Public Schools.
Product overview
Public Academy for Performing Arts (PAPA) is a public charter school serving grades 6-12 that integrates a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with performing arts education. The school operates a unified educational platform combining core academic programs (college prep with AP and dual enrollment options through UNM and CNM) with comprehensive performing arts offerings including Dance (Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, Flamenco), Music (Band, Orchestra, Choir, Guitar, Piano, Modern Band), Theatre, Musical Theatre, Film, and Visual Arts. Additional programs include summer school sessions, special education services, the SPOTLIGHT informal performance series, and the Princess Jeanne Review literary journal. All students participate in mandatory music and dance classes, with opportunities for performances throughout the year.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- College Preparatory Academic Program Rigorous college preparatory curriculum with Advanced Placement opportunities and Dual Enrollment through University of New Mexico and Central New Mexico Community College for grades 6-12. Designed for students seeking college readiness alongside performing arts study.
- Performing Arts Program Comprehensive performing arts education including Choir, Band, Orchestra, Guitar, Piano, Theatre, Musical Theatre, Film, Visual Arts, and five dance types (Flamenco, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Ballet) for grades 6-12.
- Dance Education Dance instruction across multiple skill levels including Beginning Contemporary, Intermediate Contemporary, Advanced Jazz, Beginning Jazz, Hip Hop, Flamenco and Ballet; students can use dance as PE credit.
- Music Education Instrumental and vocal music education including Band, Orchestra, Choir, Guitar, Piano, and Modern Band programs.
- Theatre and Musical Theatre Theatre arts education covering acting, musical theatre, and Thespian Troupe activities; students produce full-scale productions and informal performance opportunities.
- Visual Arts Visual arts education with curriculum aligned to high school standards, including studio art and creative development.
- Film and Yearbook TV/Film production and yearbook journalism classes providing hands-on media production experience for students.
- Summer School Program Extended learning opportunities through summer sessions offered in partnership with BYU, including credit recovery and enrichment courses; Session 1 runs May 19 - June 13; Session 2 runs June 16 - July 11, 2025.
- Special Education Services Special Services program providing support for students with IEPs and 504 plans, including Study Skills and MSE (Multi-Sensory Education) courses.
Quantifiable outcome
- 93% graduation rate (2018-2019 cohort)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Public Academy for Performing Arts
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Public Academy for Performing Arts technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Public Academy for Performing Arts partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Albuquerque Theater GuildminorTheater partnership providing performance opportunities and professional connections for students.
- Blackout Theatre Company/Wrinkle WritingminorTheater partnership for student performance opportunities.
- Duke City Repertory TheatreminorLocal theater partnership providing performance opportunities.
- Future Voices of New MexicominorPartnership supporting vocal music education.
- Conrad H. Hilton FoundationminorFoundation partnership supporting student programs.
- Hummingbird Music CampminorMusic camp partnership for student enrichment.
- National Dance Education OrganizationminorNational organization supporting dance education programs.
- New Mexico Coalition of Charter SchoolsminorCoalition supporting charter school advocacy and resources.
- New Mexico Music Educators AssociationminorAssociation providing music education resources and professional development.
- NMDOH Office of School & Adolescent HealthminorHealth services partnership for student wellness.
- NMSU Albuquerque BranchminorUniversity partnership for educational programs.
- N4 Art Center / VSAminorArts center partnership for visual and performing arts programs.
- Pegasus Legal Services for ChildrenminorLegal services partnership supporting student needs.
- Poetry Out Loud New Mexico ArtsminorPoetry recitation program partnership.
- SafeTeen New MexicominorTeen safety program partnership.
- UNM CASAAminorUniversity partnership through UNM Center on Alcohol, Substance Abuse, and Addictions.
- University of New MexicocoreDual enrollment partnership allowing students to earn college credits.
- Central New Mexico Community College (CNM)coreDual enrollment partnership allowing students to earn college credits while in high school.
- Albuquerque Public SchoolscoreAuthorizing body for charter school. PAPA is authorized by APS and funded through NM Public Education Department.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Public Academy for Performing Arts competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Oakland School for the Arts: A public charter secondary school in Oakland, CA offering college-prep academics alongside conservatory-style training in dance, music, theatre, visual arts, and literary arts. Comparable as a tuition-free charter with both academic and performing-arts specialization.
- Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts: A public magnet high school in Dallas specializing in performing and visual arts (dance, music, theatre, visual arts). Comparable as a performing-arts-focused secondary school integrating college-prep academics with intensive arts training.
- New Mexico School for the Arts: New Mexico's public residential high school for the arts, located in Santa Fe. Directly comparable as a NM-based performing-arts-focused secondary school serving arts-driven students, though it uses audition-based rather than lottery admission.
- Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA): A public magnet high school in Los Angeles offering college-prep curriculum with pre-professional training in dance, music, theatre, visual arts, and film. Comparable as a tuition-free, audition-based performing-arts secondary school.
- Duke Ellington School of the Arts: A public magnet high school in Washington, D.C. serving grades 9-12 with college-prep academics and pre-professional arts training in dance, music, theatre, visual arts, and literary media. Closely matches PAPA's college-prep + arts integration model.
Regional players
- Amy Biehl Charter High School: An Albuquerque-area public charter high school. Comparable as a NM charter school operating under APS authorization with lottery-based enrollment and similar state funding mechanism, providing a local benchmark for operating performance.
- Albuquerque Institute for Mathematics and Science (AIMS): A college-prep public charter school in Albuquerque emphasizing STEM. Comparable as a same-city charter operator under APS authorization that competes for lottery applicants in the Albuquerque market.
Others
- National Dance Institute: A New Mexico-based nonprofit that delivers in-school dance education programs partnering with public schools. Comparable as a regional arts-education ecosystem partner; aligns thematically with PAPA's dance programming rather than competing directly for students.
Broad incumbents
- Interlochen Arts Academy: A private boarding high school in Michigan offering pre-professional training in the performing and visual arts alongside a college-prep curriculum. Comparable on arts-academic integration but operates under a tuition-based private model rather than public charter.
- Fame Academy / Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts: The most well-known public performing arts high school in the U.S., located in New York City. Comparable in mission (rigorous academics integrated with conservatory-style arts training) but operates at vastly larger scale and as a public magnet rather than charter.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Public Academy for Performing Arts social profiles
Digital presencePublic Academy for Performing Arts compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Public Academy for Performing Arts financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Public Academy for Performing Arts leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Public Academy for Performing Arts funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Public Academy for Performing Arts M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Public Academy for Performing Arts
What does Public Academy for Performing Arts do?
Public Academy for Performing Arts (PAPA) is a tuition-free public charter school in Albuquerque, NM serving grades 6-12 (maximum enrollment 450) that integrates a rigorous college preparatory curriculum—including AP and dual enrollment through UNM and CNM—with comprehensive performing arts education across dance, music, theatre, musical theatre, film, and visual arts. Students are admitted via an annual lottery with sibling priority, and may earn college credit while in high school through dual enrollment partnerships. The school is funded through the NM Public Education Department and authorized by Albuquerque Public Schools.
Is Public Academy for Performing Arts a public or private company?
Public Academy for Performing Arts is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Public Academy for Performing Arts founded?
Public Academy for Performing Arts was founded in 2001. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Public Academy for Performing Arts based?
Public Academy for Performing Arts is headquartered in Albuquerque, United States, in the North America region.
How does Public Academy for Performing Arts make money?
One revenue line is on record: public Charter School Funding.
Who are Public Academy for Performing Arts's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Oakland School for the Arts, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, New Mexico School for the Arts, Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA) and Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Regional players are Amy Biehl Charter High School and Albuquerque Institute for Mathematics and Science (AIMS). National Dance Institute is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are Interlochen Arts Academy and Fame Academy / Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts.
Does Public Academy for Performing Arts have an API?
No public API is recorded for Public Academy for Performing Arts.
What industry is Public Academy for Performing Arts in?
Public Academy for Performing Arts's product category is Charter School Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJACAH, Charter Arts & Performing Arts Schools, with a secondary code of EDAJACAJ, Charter College-Prep & Advanced Academics Schools. Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.