The Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) is the largest school district in New Mexico and one of the largest in the United States. It has over 120 public elementary, middle, and high schools, serving more than 68,000 students, with approximately 10,000 staff members employed.

APS has an annual budget of about $1.6 billion, a significant portion of which is funded by state education grants, federal aid, and local property tax revenue. The district offers various educational options, including Magnet School programs, bilingual education, and Career and Technical Education programs.

New Mexico's property tax rates are considered relatively low compared to other states. The effective property tax rate in Bernalillo County, where Albuquerque is located, is about 0.7% to 1.0% of the market value of homes. New Mexico applies the 'One-Third Assessment Rule,' which means that only one-third of the market value is used as the taxable base. For example, a home valued at $300,000 would have a taxable base of about $100,000, and the annual tax is calculated based on this amount. Low-income seniors aged 65 and older are eligible for a property tax freeze benefit, and there are also tax exemptions for veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Examining the budget structure of Bernalillo County and the city of Albuquerque, the funding sources primarily consist of local taxes, state grants, federal funds, and other fee revenues. The city's total annual budget exceeds $1 billion, with public safety (police and fire) accounting for the largest share, consuming about 40% of the total budget. Approximately 10% to 15% is allocated for road and infrastructure maintenance, about 5% to 8% for parks and recreation, and around 7% to 10% for social services. Each spring, the city council reviews and approves the budget for the next fiscal year (starting July 1), and the budget details are published on the city's official website (cabq.gov).

The APS district has its own taxing authority and imposes a dedicated property tax (Mill Levy) for educational purposes. The Mill Levy refers to the amount of tax paid per $1,000 of the taxable base, and the education-related Mill Levy in the Albuquerque area typically accounts for 40% to 50% of the total property tax. Additionally, APS periodically issues bonds to fund school facility renovations, which are decided through resident voting. The transparency of the education budget and academic performance indicators can be checked by school on the APS official site, and public school performance data in New Mexico is also available on the state education department (NMPED) website.