Kalina Stell Norte named New Mexico’s first Cognia STEAM‑certified elementary school

Kalina Stell Norte Elementary was recognized April 27 as the first school in New Mexico to receive Cognia STEAM certification, a distinction the school’s leaders and the Rio Rancho Public Schools board described as the result of a two‑year effort to deepen science, technology, engineering, arts and math instruction.

"This was all possible by Brenda Julissa Diaz. She really pioneered this effort two years ago," Principal Emily Key said, praising the classroom work and volunteer partnerships that supported the application. Teacher Brenda Julissa Diaz told the board, "This is one of my dreams come true," and outlined classroom activities and community partnerships that helped the school meet Cognia standards.

Board members and Superintendent Dodd highlighted several classroom outcomes the district said were part of the certification effort, including hands‑on clubs and a fifth‑grade CubeSat project that collected stratospheric data and is scheduled to fly again on May 7. Diaz said students participate in after‑school clubs such as Girls Who Code and benefit from partnerships with local organizations and New Mexico Tech for equipment and mentoring.

The district said the STEAM certification followed months of standards alignment and evidence collection and that participating teachers and administrators paid for some elements of the process. The board accepted the commendation and board members invited the school community to a campus celebration on May 13, 2026.

District staff said the certification is intended to expand inquiry‑based instruction across grade levels and that the work will continue beyond the accreditation event.