New Mexico’s New, Cool School

San Juan College High School commenced operations on Monday, with its first class of 80 students.

A partnership between the Aztec, Bloomfield, Central Consolidated and Farmington school districts, SJCHS grads will earn a high school degree and “up to sixty transferable college credits.” Students will have access to campus resources, including the library, computer lab, and tutoring center, and “will have the option to participate in appropriate San Juan College student clubs, activities and organizations.”

Unfortunately, while 80 students “seeking a non-traditional high school experience” are about to start a new adventure, 43 won’t. The Farmington Daily Times reported that demand exceeded available slots, so a lottery had to be held to determine who was picked for enrollment.

Will SJCHS live it up to its promise of equipping graduates “for success in higher education and grow them into contributing members of society”?

Who knows? But that’s the point. School choice, in all its forms, is a recognition that one-size-fits all education doesn’t work. By cracking open an ossified system, and permitting experimentation, options can proliferate — including the opportunity for some high school students to benefit from learning on a college campus.

Best of luck to SJCHS. New Mexico needs more — many more — experiments like it.