West Mesa High School

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]

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	116.10 (FTE)[1]
Enrollment	1,799 (2022-2023)[1]
Student to teacher ratio	15.50[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

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 September 3, 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 (2007-11-06). "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 2012-07-21. Retrieved 2011-04-22.
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.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
8. "Damacio Page MMA Bio". Retrieved 2014-01-01.
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 2014-01-01.

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