West Mesa High School

West Mesa High School
Main entrance
Address
6701 Fortuna Rd. NW Albuquerque , New Mexico 87121 United States
Information
Type	Public high school
Motto	Knowledge Today, Success Tomorrow!
Established	1966
Principal	Michele Torres
Staff	105.65 (FTE)[1]
Enrollment	1,612 (2023-2024)[1]
Student to teacher ratio	15.26[1]
Campus	Suburban
Color(s)	Scarlet   Royal Blue   White
Athletics conference	NMAA, 6A Dist. 5
Mascot	Mustang
Rival	Rio Grande High Atrisco Heritage High Valley High Albuquerque High
Yearbook	El Espiritu
Website	https://westmesa.aps.edu

West Mesa High School (WMHS) is a Public School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, located on the west side of the city (West Mesa). It is a part of Albuquerque Public Schools. The school colors are scarlet, royal blue and white, and their mascot is the Mustang.[2]

Academics

Student body statistics

Ethnicity	This school	State average
White (not Hispanic)	19%	29%
Hispanic (of any race)	69%	56%
American Indian/Alaskan Native	7%	11%
African American	4%	3%
Pacific Islander	1%	1%

Films shot on Campus

• The 1971 drama Making It was filmed in the summer of 1970.
• The 2008 comedy Hamlet 2 was filmed from September through October 2007.[3]
• The 2011 musical drama Lemonade Mouth was filmed in the spring of 2010.

Athletics

WMHS competes in the New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA), as a class 6A school in District 5. In 2014, the NMAA realigned the state's schools into six classifications and adjusted district boundaries.[4] In addition to West Mesa High School, the schools in District 5-6A include: Albuquerque High School, Rio Grande High School, Valley High School and Atrisco Heritage Academy High School.[5]

WMHS has captured 12 State Championships, most in AAAA.

State Championships
Season	Sport	Number of Championships	Year
Fall	Volleyball	6	1992, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1985, 1984
Winter	Wrestling	4	1999, 1994, 1991, 1990
Spring	Softball	1	2004
	Boys Track and Field	1	1986
Total		12

Notable alumni

The entryway to the gymnasium at West Mesa

• Randy Castillo (1968), rock drummer[6]
• Jordan Espinosa, state champion wrestler; current mixed martial artist for the UFC[7]
• Sandy R. Jones, former member of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission
• Damacio Page, state champion wrestler; current mixed martial artist, formerly for the WEC and the UFC[8]
• Steven Michael Quezada (1981), actor, writer, producer, comedian, and politician[9]
• Al Unser Jr. (1980), race car driver[10]
• Joey Villasenor (attended) mixed martial artist[11]

Footnotes

1. "WEST MESA HIGH". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
2. ""Schools have something for everyone" as new year begins; A look at participation numbers across the nation". August 29, 2019.
3. Megan Martin (November 6, 2007). "Students learn about making movies from an on-the-set perspective". Albuquerque Journal.
4. "Section 4" (PDF). www.nmact.org.
5. "NM MVP Pub: Alignments". Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
6. Chavez, Barbara (March 28, 2002). "Former Ozzy, Motley Crue Drummer Dies of Cancer". Albuquerque Journal. NM.
7. Writer, Rick Wright | Journal Staff. "Moving quickly helps West Mesa alum Espinosa get UFC deal". www.abqjournal.com.
8. "Damacio Page MMA Bio". Retrieved January 1, 2014.
9. Journal Staff (January 26, 2013). "Candidate Q & A – APS District 5". Albuquerque Journal. NM.
10. Casaus, Phill (September 26, 2006). "West Mesa High School prepares for the future". Albuquerque Tribune. NM.
11. "Joey Villasenor MMA Bio". Retrieved January 1, 2014.

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