June 2007: New Mexico Public Education Commission (PEC)  disapproves Initial Charter Application in spite of a recommendation from the Charter Schools Division to approve.

 

July 2007: Founders Lynn Barr and Lynn Carey appeal the PEC decision to the Secretary of Education.  Secretary overturns the PEC decision and Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School becomes the 2nd state-chartered school approved in the State of New Mexico.

 

August 2008: Cottonwood opens its doors on the Unser campus to 125 students in grade 6-10.  

 

August 2009: Cottonwood expands into the Rio Grande Tech Center campus for grades 9-11.

 

June 2011: First graduating class of five seniors!

 

December 2012: PEC Renews the Cottonwood Charter for another 5-year term & The Cottonwood Classical Preparatory Foundation closes on the public-bond transaction to acquire the Xilinx building and property for a new permanent home for CCPS!

 

August 2013: Cottonwood moves into the current campus at 7801 Jefferson St NE.  The school held a grand-opening where Governor Susana Martinez cut the ribbon to officially open the new school building.

 

2015: U.S. News & World Report ranks Cottonwood Classical as the 76th best public high school in the United States (20th best charter school in the US, & #1 public high school in the state of New Mexico).