I was born in Carlsbad New Mexico in the late 70’s, moved early in childhood but returned twelve years ago. We’re a family of three comprised of two adults and one child. We own our home which sits two blocks from the beach recreation area, the river walk park and the water park. We’re solidly in the middle class income level with one adult working and one at home. Admittedly the cost of living here is high by comparison to other towns our size in New Mexico. However, the city does supply and subsidize resources for lower income families and those with less resources. Based on this general background information here is my opinion of Carlsbad and the resources for families and children. Our son is six years old and attends public school at the Early Education Center for kindergarten children. The school, ECEC, is a separate institution from any other grade level. Over 600 Kindergarten students attend this school and we couldn’t be happier and more grateful for the educational curriculum and opportunities. The children have Fall dress up days to support United Way, Thanksgiving Dinner, Holiday Assemblies, a School Sponsored Holiday Store so every child can select two free gifts for family members, Easter Egg Hunts, Valentines Day activities, Dr. Seuss Week, Book Fair, Used Book Exchange events between students, Mothers Day Tea, school pictures twice a year, Yearbooks and a Graduation Ceremony. They also have field trips in Fall, Winter and Spring which include every child despite financial limitations because the PTA fundraises for children in need. Academic performance is tracked year round and students needing extra help are identified early and given additional resources and tutoring. Carlsbad New Mexico requires every teacher has a minimum of a Masters in Education, or be in the process, to be hired at any grade level in the public schools. The district also helps educators with a bachelors degree pursue a Masters degree. The curriculum encompasses not only academics but also music and art as part of the standard discipline plan. It’s a terrific program and by isolating Kindergarten from other grade levels the children are protected as they learn to grow and function in the first years of school. Years because there is also a pre-school program designed the same way on a separate campus. Each classroom has a teachers aide ( Two adults per class,) individual bathrooms, large smart screens and individual I pads for every student. They visit the library every week for a new book to take home and read. There is a full time RN on campus every day. The children are fed breakfast every morning free of charge and lunch is $2.10 unless the family can’t afford hot lunch, then it’s subsidized. There aren’t different lunches based on paying students versus financial assistance students or students with unpaid accounts. They offer Stem Club Workshops, After School Reading Clubs, a Speech Therapist and special needs classrooms. The administration is great, the teachers are great and the facilities are new, well kept and designed for this set up. The teachers take pride in activities and dress up along with the children. The school has a discreet red backpack program stocked with weekend food for children needing food subsidies at home. ECEC is one block from the boys and girls club and provides transportation to and from school for early morning and after school programs. Every child has access to school buses despite where they live. Students are notified of community events and resources which include: Soccer, Basketball, Baseball and Boy and Girl Scout Clubs. In summer the beach area and park are open and free and offer free lunch to all kids from any income level. Adults are charged three dollars for the Summer Park Lunches. The Water Park is a five dollar entrance fee because the city subsidizes the admission fee. The river beach area is open to all with a snack bar, paddle boats and other water recreation rentals. People can also get a fishing license and enjoy the river that way. Motorized boats, jet skis, paddle boats and kayaks are allowed for skiiing and recreation. The local library offers year round activities with workshops and extra options in summer. There is a yearly Falapalooza covering the entire expanse of the River Walk Park with carnival games, over thirty bounce houses, inflatable human hamster balls, a petting zoo and horse rides all free. The only charge is food truck vendors. A downtown Halloween trick or treating event is set up where all businesses participate around the town square. Pecos Christmas on the river is a boat tour where all the river homes are decked to the max. There is also a Christmas Village. Rodeos are hosted at the Sheriff Posse and 4H clubs in the community. We’re close to Carlsbad Caverns and The Living Desert. There are countless outdoor activities within minutes of the city limits. It’s a two and a half hour drive to The Ruidoso Mountains with Indian Casinos, a lake, summer activities, horse races and ski/tubing lift mountains. Carlsbad is a community protective of families.
Lori | Carlsbad, NM | Report Abuse

I was born in Carlsbad New Mexico in the late 70’s, moved early in childhood but returned twelve years ago. We’re a family of three comprised of two adults and one child. We own our home which sits two blocks from the beach recreation area, the river walk park and the water park. We’re solidly in the middle class income level with one adult working and one at home. Admittedly the cost of living here is high by comparison to other towns our size in New Mexico. However, the city does supply and subsidize resources for lower income families and those with less resources. Based on this general background information here is my opinion of Carlsbad and the resources for families and children. Our son is six years old and attends public school at the Early Education Center for kindergarten children. The school, ECEC, is a separate institution from any other grade level. Over 600 Kindergarten students attend this school and we couldn’t be happier and more grateful for the educational curriculum and opportunities. The children have Fall dress up days to support United Way, Thanksgiving Dinner, Holiday Assemblies, a School Sponsored Holiday Store so every child can select two free gifts for family members, Easter Egg Hunts, Valentines Day activities, Dr. Seuss Week, Book Fair, Used Book Exchange events between students, Mothers Day Tea, school pictures twice a year, Yearbooks and a Graduation Ceremony. They also have field trips in Fall, Winter and Spring which include every child despite financial limitations because the PTA fundraises for children in need. Academic performance is tracked year round and students needing extra help are identified early and given additional resources and tutoring. Carlsbad New Mexico requires every teacher has a minimum of a Masters in Education, or be in the process, to be hired at any grade level in the public schools. The district also helps educators with a bachelors degree pursue a Masters degree. The curriculum encompasses not only academics but also music and art as part of the standard discipline plan. It’s a terrific program and by isolating Kindergarten from other grade levels the children are protected as they learn to grow and function in the first years of school. Years because there is also a pre-school program designed the same way on a separate campus. Each classroom has a teachers aide ( Two adults per class,) individual bathrooms, large smart screens and individual I pads for every student. They visit the library every week for a new book to take home and read. There is a full time RN on campus every day. The children are fed breakfast every morning free of charge and lunch is $2.10 unless the family can’t afford hot lunch, then it’s subsidized. There aren’t different lunches based on paying students versus financial assistance students or students with unpaid accounts. They offer Stem Club Workshops, After School Reading Clubs, a Speech Therapist and special needs classrooms. The administration is great, the teachers are great and the facilities are new, well kept and designed for this set up. The teachers take pride in activities and dress up along with the children. The school has a discreet red backpack program stocked with weekend food for children needing food subsidies at home. ECEC is one block from the boys and girls club and provides transportation to and from school for early morning and after school programs. Every child has access to school buses despite where they live. Students are notified of community events and resources which include: Soccer, Basketball, Baseball and Boy and Girl Scout Clubs. In summer the beach area and park are open and free and offer free lunch to all kids from any income level. Adults are charged three dollars for the Summer Park Lunches. The Water Park is a five dollar entrance fee because the city subsidizes the admission fee. The river beach area is open to all with a snack bar, paddle boats and other water recreation rentals. People can also get a fishing license and enjoy the river that way. Motorized boats, jet skis, paddle boats and kayaks are allowed for skiiing and recreation. The local library offers year round activities with workshops and extra options in summer. There is a yearly Falapalooza covering the entire expanse of the River Walk Park with carnival games, over thirty bounce houses, inflatable human hamster balls, a petting zoo and horse rides all free. The only charge is food truck vendors. A downtown Halloween trick or treating event is set up where all businesses participate around the town square. Pecos Christmas on the river is a boat tour where all the river homes are decked to the max. There is also a Christmas Village. Rodeos are hosted at the Sheriff Posse and 4H clubs in the community. We’re close to Carlsbad Caverns and The Living Desert. There are countless outdoor activities within minutes of the city limits. It’s a two and a half hour drive to The Ruidoso Mountains with Indian Casinos, a lake, summer activities, horse races and ski/tubing lift mountains. Carlsbad is a community protective of families.
Lori | Carlsbad, NM | Report Abuse