ALBUQUERQUE — Albuquerque Public Schools has expanded its clear backpack policy to five additional middle schools starting today. Wilson, Kennedy, Hayes, Washington, and Cleveland Middle Schools now require students to use clear backpacks on campus, joining Taylor Middle School, which had already adopted the rule.
APS says the policy is part of broader safety measures and was approved by each school’s Instructional Council after surveys with families, students, and staff. To help with the transition, APS is providing free clear backpacks to students at the affected schools. Thousands of backpacks will be distributed today.
Del Norte High School will implement the clear backpack requirement in August for the 2026–2027 school year.
District leaders, including Superintendent Gabriella Blakey and Deputy Superintendent for Operations Antonio Gonzales, will speak about the initiative at a news conference at Cleveland Middle School this afternoon.
