MAKING STRIDES: Excellent Schools New Mexico awarded Daniels Fund Medal of Excellence

Members from Excellent Schools New Mexico receive the 2026 Medal of Excellence from Daniels Fund. (Courtesy of Daniels Fund)

 

Daniels Fund honored Excellent Schools of New Mexico last week.

The organization, which serves 14,000 children across New Mexico with high-quality educational options, received the award during the third annual Daniels Fund Salute to Excellence event at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

“This is an incredible honor and reflects the tireless dedication of our entire team and the innovative educators at schools we support throughout New Mexico,” said Scott Hindman, executive director and co-founder. “Opening the doors for thousands of families to choose a great school for their children has profound generational impact. The Daniels Fund was one of our early catalysts for success, and to receive this recognition now is truly special.”

Hindman serves as vice chair of the Chamber’s Education Bold Issue Group (BIG).

Excellent Schools received a $250,000 award in recognition of its impact on children and families through a network of schools that serve at-risk populations whose outcomes are outpacing state averages. New Mexico is perennially near the bottom of national measures of student performance and child poverty.

“Excellent Schools New Mexico is a sterling example of how vision, hard work and a refusal to settle for the status quo can transform kids’ lives,” said Daniels Fund President and CEO Hanna Skandera. “Scott Hindman and his amazing team have shown America that successful, rigorous options can be created in high-poverty areas of our country, and when families can choose great schools, these children can thrive. Their standard of game-changing excellence truly inspires us all.”

The Chamber is proud of member Excellent Schools New Mexico for its work in keeping New Mexico competitive within education. We also thank Daniels Fund for continuing to support the education efforts in New Mexico.

Scott Hindman, left, Excellent Schools New Mexico executive director and co-founder, receives the Medal of Excellence from Hanna Skandera, Daniels Fund president and CEO. (Courtesy of Daniels Fund)

Share this post

Chamber Congratulates Goodwill on its 21st New Mexico Location

Goodwill Industries of New Mexico marks its 21st store in the state with the opening of its location at 1201 S. Renaissance Blvd. NE The ...
Read More

The Chamber Asks New Mexico’s Senators to Oppose Durbin Credit Card Routing Proposal

On April 8, the Chamber asked Sen. Martin Heinrich and Sen. Ben Ray Luján to oppose the Durbin credit card routing proposal currently being discussed ...
Read More

CONTINUING THE LEGACY: Chamber Board Member Carlos Garcia Named Holmans USA CEO

    Holmans USA named Carlos Garcia as its new CEO on April 8. The Albuquerque-based IT company named Garcia — who is also a ...
Read More
Scroll to Top