Rio Rancho Public Schools

Rio Rancho Public Schools will follow New Mexico Department of Health standing orders for over-the-counter (OTC) medications administered in school health offices during the 2026-2027 school year.

If your child may need OTC medication during the school day, please review the medication requirements before the start of the school year. In some cases, medications may be covered under NMDOH standing orders. Other medications may require an Authorization to Administer Prescription Medication form completed by your healthcare provider.

Common concerns covered under standing orders include:
Fever and headaches
Sore throats and minor coughs
Menstrual cramps
Mild allergic reactions
Insect bites
Minor wounds

Families are encouraged to review the full guidance and submit any required documentation before the first day of school. For more information, visit our website at www.RRPS.net.

Please contact your school's health office with any questions.

Registration is now open at Rio Rancho Public Schools! Families can complete online registration for new or returning students and upload required documents through the RRPS registration portal. Visit the RRPS registration page to get started and make sure your student is ready for the upcoming school year.

https://www.rrps.net/page/registration

Maggie Cordova Elementary is growing something exciting!

Thanks to the New Mexico Grow Project Grant through Ag in the Classroom, our school received over $2,000 in resources to support hands-on learning, including a 4x8 raised garden bed, drip irrigation system, and a classroom hydroponics grow lab. These tools will help our students explore plant science, agriculture, and natural resources all year long.

Ag in the Classroom (Agriculture in the Classroom) is a nationwide educational program that helps students understand where their food, fiber, and natural resources come from. It brings agriculture-based, hands-on science learning into everyday classrooms so students can learn by doing, not just reading.

To kick off the program, teachers (Nicholas LoCicero, Grant recipient and 3rd grade teacher, Jennifer Honaberger, and STEAM teacher, Heather Dannenberg) recently participated in a one-day workshop to learn how to introduce gardening in the classroom, set up our new garden spaces, and bring these experiences directly to students. They also received additional materials to start small classroom gardens.

We are excited to watch our students dig in, grow, and learn through this incredible opportunity!

Rio Rancho Public Schools has something to celebrate!

We’re proud to share that Colinas del Norte Elementary’s Brendajulissa Diaz has been named a 2026 New Mexico Excellence in STEM Award (STEMY) winner for Educator K–8! Alongside Ms. Diaz's prestigious designation, Rio Rancho Public Schools was also recognized as the STEMY District of the Year!

The STEMYS are statewide awards that celebrate students, educators, and community members who are doing amazing work in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). These honors spotlight the creativity, innovation, and dedication happening in classrooms and communities across New Mexico.

This recognition reflects the incredible work happening throughout our district to inspire curiosity, problem-solving, and a love of learning in STEM.

Help us congratulate all of our outstanding RRPS STEAM teachers; Ms Karin McCann (CAE), Ms. Brendajulissa Diaz (CDN), Ms. Sara Cavinder (EHE), Ms. Megan Noreen (ESE), Ms. Staci Sousa (JHE), Ms. Audrelia Crawford (MCE), Ms. Rhonda Wetherby (MLK), Ms. Dannielle Agena (PDS), Ms. Natalie Jackson (RRE), Ms. Heidi Hohenberg (SVE), Ms. Jennifer Bird (VGE), Ms. Tami Berglund SSPS), and Ms. Laura Gonzales (SSPS)! These dedicated educators have made Rio Rancho Public Schools a leader in STEM excellence!

Dr. Robert Dodd, the new superintendent of Rio Rancho Public Schools, has officially completed his first 100 days as the district’s second-ever leader. As part of his 100-Day Entry Plan, Dr. Dodd has released a Progress Report highlighting key findings, accomplishments, priorities, and goals for the future.

Read the full report here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O0mIRxMcjWAH7Fu0xqE3R7SmApHXxbTc/view?usp=sharing

RRPS hosted a press conference this afternoon to present the report and answer questions from local media partners. Coverage is expected to air on KRQE, KOAT, and KOB this evening, and we anticipate stories in local print media, so be sure to tune in!

District Spotlight: Colinas Del Norte Elementary School

Big congratulations to Colinas Del Norte Elementary School! Rio Rancho Public Schools is excited to spotlight the school for earning elite STEM certification through Cognia, a multi-national non-profit that specialized in accrediting elementary and secondary schools across a wide range of academic-based criteria. This impressive accomplishment took several years of hard work and reflects the school’s dedication to creating meaningful, future-focused learning opportunities for students.

Colinas del Norte is the FIRST school in New Mexico to receive this designation! The school celebrated towards the end of the year with a school-wide assembly, and a field day that featured a hot air balloon!

We want to extend a special congratulations and thank you to CDN's incredible STEAM teacher, Ms. Brendajulissa Diaz! Ms. Diaz was recently named a 2026 STEMY award winner (more on that to come!), and welcomed Dr. Robert Dodd and other district leaders to her classroom to show the incredible work her students do every day.

Way to go Ms. Diaz and our outstanding Colinas Del Norte Hawks!

Shining Stars is still accepting applications for our 4-Year-Old Half-Day Pre-K Program!

Give your child a strong start in a nurturing, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment where they can learn, grow, and thrive.

- High-quality early childhood education
- Half-day program designed for 4-year-olds
- Caring and experienced teachers
- Hands-on learning and social development
- Preparation for kindergarten success

Application are available now on the Shining Stars Preschool website, or by visiting www.RRPS.net.

It might be over a week since Stapleton Elementary wrapped up the school year, but there might be a few students, parents, and school staff still trying to get all the dust from their end-of-year Color Run out of their hair!

Puesta del Sol Preschool still has spots available for the 2026-2027 school year!

Puesta del Sol Preschool will be open to ALL children in Rio Rancho and beyond who will be four (4) years old by September 1, 2026 and offers a full-day program, Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM. The first round of the lottery is over, but there are still some slots available! Don't wait until it's too late!

To submit an application for your child, click the following link:
https://fs9.formsite.com/rrps/fxnmzwc4ib/index