We are a historic, diverse, multicultural and multilingual community of learners and educators who fiercely love, guide, and educate all students as we grow together.
Our Mission
To deliver grade-level assignments with strong, effective instruction, meaningful engagement, and high expectations that empower all students to succeed.
Dolores Gonzales Elementary School is proud to be the first APS school to implement a Dual Language Program, continuing the inspiring legacy of our namesake, Dolores Gonzales, affectionately known as "La Doctora." A trailblazer and advocate for bilingual education in New Mexico, Dolores Gonzales's vision lives on through our Dual Language Immersion Program. This program offers students an enriched educational experience, empowering them to become bilingual, biliterate, and culturally aware citizens in an increasingly diverse world.
Our program is designed to build a strong foundation in each student’s first language while fostering the development of their second language through a balanced 50/50 instructional model. Literacy is taught explicitly in their primary language, while content instruction integrates both languages, supported by proven language acquisition strategies and best practices. Student progress is continuously assessed in both English and Spanish, ensuring that they grow academically and linguistically. Our ultimate goal is to nurture students who are proud of their bilingual and bicultural identities and prepared to thrive in a global society.
Recognizing the value of bilingualism and biliteracy, the Bilingual Seal pathway offers students the opportunity to earn both a District Seal and the State of New Mexico Bilingualism and Biliteracy Seal in Spanish, Native American languages, or other world languages. This prestigious recognition signifies proficiency in two languages and highlights a student's commitment to linguistic and cultural excellence.
Elementary students can achieve the bilingual seal by participating in a dual language program, where half of their academic content is taught in English and the other half in Spanish, and by completing a portfolio showcasing their work. This student-driven program celebrates exemplary effort, collaboration, and the development of bilingual skills that prepare students to thrive in a multicultural world.
La Doctora María Dolores Gonzáles, (1917-1975). Dr. Gonzales was a pioneer in bilingual and bicultural education. She developed educational materials for students in New Mexico and Latin America and trained teachers in the curriculum. Born in Pecos, “Lola” taught in the area for many years and at the University of New Mexico. She held a master's degree from Columbia University and a doctorate from Pennsylvania State University. Dolores Gonzales Elementary School in Albuquerque is named in her honor.
