Albuquerque Academy

What it reported doing in 2024

Albuquerque academy is a nationally recognized independent, college preparatory school that serves a diverse student body in grades six through twelve. The school offers educational programs that promote a passion for lifelong learning, foster creativity and connection, and encourage community service. The academy opened its doors in the fall of 1955 with 12 boys in grades 7 through 9, two teachers, and founding head william wilburn. Classes were held in rented space in the parish hall of st. Michael's and all angels church. In 1957, enrollment had grown to 75 boys and the school moved to a 27-acre site on north edith boulevard in albuquerque, nm. The first class of seven boys graduated in 1960. In 1966, the school moved to its present location, and in 1967/68 was home to 405 boys. Girls were admitted beginning in 1973. For the school year 2024/25, the academy served 1,198 girls and boys in grades 6 through 12.the academy's remarkable growth was made possible largely through the transformational gift of albert g. Simms, a New Mexico financier and rancher, and his wife, ruth hanna mccormick simms. In the early 1960's the simms gave or bequeathed to the academy (in trust) more than 12,000 acres of undeveloped land and 8,000 shares of albuquerque national bank stock. The undeveloped land has been sold resulting in the endowment that today enables education in a beautiful and uplifting environment, and also has provided the school its campus.the uniqueness of the academy is due, in large part, to its commitment to its admission policy, and to providing accessibility to qualified students from throughout the greater albuquerque community. Every academy student benefits from the school's commitment to accessibility and affordability. Direct support from the endowment covers approximately 12% of the cost not covered by tuition.a further commitment of the academy is to diversity and dedicating the school's resources to creating an environment in which all students can thrive. It is the responsibility of all the school's constituents to make this environment conducive to learning and to foster mutual respect for one another. Students of color (including students of middle eastern, hispanic, african american, asian, and native american ancestry) represented approximately 57% of the total student population for the 2024/25 school year. Appreciation for diversity is also extended to those of various socioeconomic levels.academy students benefit academically from small classes (averaging 13 students per class) and a teacher-to-student ratio of 1:10.the academy curriculum is rigorous and exclusively college preparatory. 24 advanced placement courses were offered in the 2024/25 school year. The 2025 graduating class had 17 national merit scholarship semifinalists and 3 commended students. There were 167 students in the graduating class of 2025. Almost all academy graduates enroll in a four-year college or university immediately upon graduation.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 87.6%; rating input score 88
• Program expense ratio: 87.2%; rating input score 87
• Fundraising efficiency: $3.55 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 14; 14th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 62nd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 3 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 89
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 2%; rating input score 42; 42nd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 3.63; rating input score 79; 79th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.43; rating input score 34; 34th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 3.3%; rating input score 65; 65th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 1.4% per year; rating input score 100; 16th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 2.3% per year; rating input score 100; 20th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 0.2% per year; rating input score 100; 11th percentile among comparable filings