Homeschool benefits and savings in Las Cruces

Las Cruces RoadRUNNER Transit runs eight city bus routes with no fare until further notice, Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Anyone can ride, so your homeschooled child needs no school ID or pass. Other options include recreation and camp discounts and college classes and scholarships.

By Andrew Garber, founder of TheHomeschoolingCompany. Reviewed August 25, 2026.

Benefits in Las Cruces

1. Las Cruces RoadRUNNER zero-fare transit
2. Las Cruces Youth Scholarship Program
3. Doña Ana Community College dual credit

Las Cruces RoadRUNNER zero-fare transit

Who qualifies

1. Rides a RoadRUNNER bus

   RoadRUNNER Transit and Dial-a-Ride stay zero fare until further notice, with no age or school condition listed.

2. Follows the code of conduct

   The Passenger Code of Conduct applies on buses, at bus stops, and in transit facilities.

3. Qualifies for Vamonos

   Roadrunner Vamonos is the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) demand response service for seniors and people with disabilities, so riders must qualify for it.

What the free fare gives you

Fares, routes, and hours come from the City of Las Cruces RoadRUNNER Transit page.

Fare per ride

$0

Fixed bus routes

8

Weekday service

6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Saturday service

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Sunday service

Not listed

Buses do not run on some holidays, including Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day, so check the holiday table before a field trip.

How to ride

1. Before you ride

   Find your route

   Use the Citywide Route Map, the Transit Guide, Google Maps transit directions, or the Passio Go app to track buses.

2. At the stop

   Board without paying

   No fare is collected, and riders need no ticket, pass, or card.

3. On holidays

   Check the schedule

   Some holidays have no service and others run a Saturday schedule.

What it includes

Included

• Rides on all eight RoadRUNNER routes
• Dial-a-Ride for eligible riders
• Trips to the Mesilla Valley Mall, DACC, and the Town of Mesilla

Not included

• Sunday service
• Service on listed holidays

Who to contact about riding

RoadRUNNER Transit answers questions about routes, schedules, and holiday service.

575-541-2500 RoadRUNNER Transit page

Las Cruces Youth Scholarship Program

Who qualifies

1. Lives in Las Cruces

   Eligibility is based on residency, total household income, and number of dependents. The page does not publish the income limits.

2. Picks an approved program

   Athletics such as basketball, baseball, football, volleyball, soccer, and cheer qualify, along with after school, camps, gymnastics, swim lessons, and the summer program.

3. Pays half the fee

   You must pay at least 50% of the program fee before the scholarship can be used, and no other discounts can be combined with it.

What it is worth

Las Cruces Parks and Recreation awards $120 per dependent per fiscal year, up to $240 per household, while funds last.

One child

Up to $120

Two children

Up to $240

Three or more children

Up to $240

Share of each program fee you pay

At least 50%

The page does not post the application or income limits, so call Parks and Recreation to ask for the scholarship form and what proof of income it needs.

From applying to keeping it

1. Before you register

   Ask for the application

   Call Parks and Recreation for the Youth Scholarship application and the documents for residency, income, and dependents.

2. At registration

   Pay your half

   Pay at least 50% of the program fee, and the scholarship applies toward the rest, up to $120 for that child.

3. July 1 to June 30

   Use it within the fiscal year

   Awards run on the city's fiscal year and depend on available funds.

4. Each July

   Apply again

   A new fiscal year starts July 1 with a new $120-per-child limit.

What it pays for

Covered

• Youth athletics
• After school programs
• Camps and the summer program
• Gymnastics and swim lessons

Not covered

• Fitness classes
• Rentals and equipment fees
• Special events

Scholarships come from donations by Las Cruces residents and are offered as funds are available.

Who to contact

Parks and Recreation runs the Youth Scholarship Program and the city's installment payment plans.

575-541-2550 Fees, charges, and refunds

Doña Ana Community College dual credit

Who qualifies

1. Is a high school student

   The program serves students before high school graduation, mainly juniors and seniors. The catalog says home-schooled students are also eligible.

2. Has a 2.0 GPA

   Admission requires a high school GPA of at least 2.0 and meeting every course prerequisite and placement requirement.

3. Files the dual credit forms

   Complete the DACC Application for Admission and the State Dual Credit Request Form, and provide a high school transcript.

4. Buys own course materials

   Home-schooled students pay for their own textbooks, digital course materials, tools, and any course-specific fees.

What it is worth

DACC lists 2025-26 tuition with mandatory fees at $76.75 per credit for Doña Ana County residents and $93.25 for other New Mexico residents.

One 3-credit course, in district

$230.25

One 4-credit course, in district

$307

Two 3-credit courses, in district

$460.50

One 3-credit course, other NM county

$279.75

Two courses a semester for a year, in district

$921

Lab fees and other course-specific fees can still apply, so ask Admissions about the fees for each course before you register.

From applying to keeping it

1. Before you apply

   Check prerequisites

   Look up each course's prerequisites and placement requirements in the DACC catalog.

2. Before the semester

   Apply to the program

   Submit the Application for Admission, the State Dual Credit Request Form, and your student's high school transcript.

3. After admission

   Register with an advisor

   A DACC academic advisor helps your student register for approved dual credit courses.

4. Before classes start

   Buy materials

   Purchase textbooks, digital materials, supplies, protective apparel, and tools the course requires.

What it pays for

Covered

• Full tuition on approved dual credit courses
• General fees
• College credit that also counts toward high school

Not covered

• Textbooks and digital course materials for homeschoolers
• Supplies, protective apparel, and tool sets
• Lab fees and other course-specific fees

Good to know

• Homeschooled students qualify on the same terms

  DACC's 2026-27 catalog says home-schooled students are eligible for the Dual Credit Program, with the same admission requirements of a 2.0 GPA and course prerequisites.

• You pay for books and materials, not tuition

  Tuition and general fees are waived, but home-schooled students buy their own textbooks, digital materials, and tools, and may owe course-specific fees such as lab fees.

Who to contact

The DACC Admissions Office answers questions about dual credit and early admission eligibility.

575-528-7244 Dual credit catalog page

Homeschool rules and statewide help in New Mexico

You must notify the New Mexico Public Education Department within 30 days after establishing the home school, then renew on or before August 1 each subsequent year.

New Mexico sets these rules:

• Subjects: Instruction in New Mexico must include reading, language arts, math, social studies, and science.
• Testing: New Mexico does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
• Records: New Mexico requires you to keep disease-immunization records or a waiver. NMPED recommends keeping notices, instructional-hour records, materials, and work portfolios, but does not require those academic records.
• Teachers: The person providing instruction must have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Read the New Mexico homeschooling guide See statewide programs in New Mexico

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