Independence High School can finally live up to its moniker as it will have an independent place to call home.
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The Rio Rancho public school district purchased the building in 2005.
It was formerly a call center. Last year, the building served as the home of the Cyber Academy and Independence.
The Cyber Academy is relocating to an 11,000-square-foot building at 1330 Jackie Road, located behind Smith’s on NM 528. Independence was going to call the old City Hall building on Southern Boulevard home, but asbestos in the building prevented the move.
After the asbestos was abated, there were more code issues.
“It was not a good long range decision for the district and rather cost prohibitive,” RRPS spokesperson Kim Vessely said.
She said that the building where the Cyber Academy will be located was originally offered to Independence, but school officials wanted the building on Quantum because it is bigger and can house more of its programs.
Independence High will have five computer pods, a state-of-the art professional kitchen for the school’s culinary arts program, a day care center, film program, certified nursing program, and a physical education facility with training and workout rooms.
Unlike conventional high schools, there is no gymnasium.
Before last year, Independence was located near the intersection of Idalia and NM 528.
The school district sold the property in August of 2005 and had to vacate the property after the conclusion of the 2006-2007 school years.
Independence was in portable classrooms on 7100 Idalia since the school’s founding in 1999.
Independence High has 250 students. Regarding Cyber Academy, Vessely said the school’s renovation is almost complete.
The school district leased the building in June and will purchase it later this year. Currently, the students are meeting at the Destiny Center on Northern Boulevard.
The Rio Rancho Cyber Academy is a public school where students are taught by taking a significant amount of instruction via a computer and other electronic means.
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