Dear 21st Century Public Academy Families,
Welcome back to another exciting school year! We hope you and your family had a wonderful summer filled with rest, fun, and time together. As we prepare to welcome our students back to campus, our staff is excited to begin another year of learning, growth, and success.
Our commitment remains the same—to provide every student with a safe, engaging, and supportive learning environment where they can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. We look forward to partnering with you throughout the year as we help our students reach their full potential.
We also want to provide a brief update for our third and fourth grade families. Due to higher-than-anticipated enrollment, we may begin the school year with a temporary 3rd/4th combination class. We are actively seeking to hire an additional fourth grade teacher to better meet the needs of our students. Once we have completed the hiring process and have had an opportunity to review beginning-of-year student data, we will make any necessary class adjustments to ensure students are placed in the classroom that best supports their learning.
We are excited for the upcoming year and have some information we’d like to share.
Uniform Policy Changes
The governing board of 21st Century voted to alter our uniform policy, specifically in regards to pants/shorts. There is no longer a restriction on what fabric students are allowed to wear for their pants, meaning gym shorts and sweats are now permitted. You can review the uniform policy language in the student handbook, here: https://21stcenturypa.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/26_27-Student-Handbook.pdf.
Westside Busses
21st Century offers two bus routes to the Westside, along Coors Blvd. You can review the stops here: https://21stcenturypa.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Bus-Routes-Fall-2025-2.pdf. If your student will be riding the bus, in the morning or afternoon or both, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/LxnRnhNLZmfgcHzV6. Even for returning students who rode the bus last year, please fill the form out again for this year. For students who take the TF14 route and get off at the Alamosa Community Center stop, they are offering an aftercare program to 21st Century families, more information here: http://21stcenturypa.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Alamosa-Afterschool-Flyer-2026-school-year.pdf.
After Care Changes
21st Century is partnering with the City of Albuquerque’s Play+ program to offer After Care services to our families. School staff will no longer be running the program, instead it will be run by CABQ staff. To use this program, you will need to register here: https://nmalbuquerqueweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/search.html?module=AR&type=play&location=PLAYSOLARE&_csrf_token=ie0X135W1N691U2T1Z3R2F4F6L5Q494R01735R4K566F545P5E4B155J436E5D185I60584C1H6847526E6F6S5U6350645G4L6N666G5U534P6603614I6F4R185W4H6H. This program will run from dismissal until 6:00pm at the school. Any students not picked up during dismissal and are not registered in the Play+ program will be taken to the front office and guardians will be called. Please note that Before Care will not be changing, that program will continue as in the past starting at 6:30am with a cost of $5 per use.
School Dues Payment System
Starting this year, 21st Century will be utilizing the MySchoolBucks (MSB) online payment system for school dues, including Athletics and OSI fees. While you can pay by cash or check via the front office or homeroom teacher like usual, if you’d prefer to pay by card we will use the MSB program. More information regarding setting up an MSB account will be forthcoming.
Synergy Student Information System
Also starting this year, 21st Century is following the State mandate to transition to a new online gradebook. Instead of using PlusPortals we will be using Synergy. Once it is up and running and a parent login is ready to go, we will be sharing access information with all families.
If your student’s teacher needs chaperones there is a policy in place mandated by the state.
Volunteers Statutes.pdf
Each parent/guardian/volunteer will need to complete a federal FBI fingerprinted background check. All previous background checks will not be accepted for the 26-27 school year. Upon completion of a successful cleared background check you will be reimbursed. You must bring in the payment receipt, NOT the appointment receipt for reimbursement. Each Chaperone/Volunteer will also have to complete training and provide the school with the certificates. You will need to provide Ms. Morga with the parent name and email to register for these.The application for your file is also attached for completion.
Please note this is for the security and safety for all our students and school community. Please contact Mr Tiger at etiger@21stcenturypa.com for any questions or concerns reagrding this state mandated policy.
Background check for volunteers
Thank you for your patience, understanding, and continued support as we work to provide the best possible educational experience for every child.
We are looking forward to a fantastic school year filled with learning, friendships, and new opportunities. Together, let’s make this our best year yet!
Eric Tiger
Superintendent
21st Century Public Academy
etiger@21stcenturypa.com
