Bernalillo Public Schools is home to a rich and diverse student population. There are approximately 3,118 total students. There are 1,280 (41%) Native American students from 34 different tribes, 1,521 (48.7%) Hispanic, 312 Anglo (10%), 11 Asian Pacific Islanders and six African American students. BPS distinct demographic features is accentuated by the surrounding Pueblo tribes of Cochiti, Santo Domingo, San Felipe, Sandia, Zia and Jemez. This district recognizes the sovereignty of each tribe and respects the cultural and traditional practices. All of the 19 pueblos are represented in BPS, in addition, several tribes enrich the district's Native American landscape, including Jicarilla & Mescalero Apaches, Alaskan Natives, Oneida, Dine, and Seminole, etc.
One goal of ONAE is to ensure the program objectives and plans interface with and support the district's academic programs, especially literacy and numeracy. Reading, writing and mathematics are where student experience the greatest academic challenges. Through the Title VII, Indian Education formula grant ($272,000), ONAE provides various intervention strategies and supportive services to help students meet or exceed academic proficiency.
ONAE administers two important district programs, including a research, evidenced based Project Venture, funded by GRAA - Grants to Reduce Alcohol Use and Abuse by Adolescents by the U.S. Department of Education; and the Family/Community Partnership Initiatives (FCPI), to support urban Native American families and students, funded for two years by the Public Education Department.
