Jordan Franco is co-founder and co-executive director of Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts, a public charter school in Albuquerque, New Mexico, that integrates rigorous academics with high-quality, tuition-free arts education. Jordan founded RioGAFA to address persistent inequities in access to both academic excellence and the arts. Under his leadership, the school has grown steadily in enrollment, budget, and impact, with continued planned expansion ahead.

Jordan leads all aspects of school strategy and operations, including academic oversight, fiscal management, facilities expansion, staffing, board relations, enrollment growth, and community engagement. He has guided the school through a significant increase in its operating budget, aligning long-term financial sustainability with mission-driven growth. His leadership emphasizes culturally responsive practice, student voice, and joyful, high-expectations learning environments, resulting in strong family engagement and staff retention.

Prior to founding RioGAFA, Jordan served as field director for Public Charter Schools of New Mexico, where he supported more than fifty charter schools statewide through policy advocacy, technical assistance, and leadership development. In this role, he worked closely with legislators, school leaders, and community partners to advance equitable funding, strengthen charter accountability, and elevate public narratives centered on student outcomes. Earlier in his career, Jordan held senior operational and instructional leadership roles at Mission Achievement and Success Charter School and Albuquerque Public Schools, where he served as a vice president of operations, assistant principal, dean of students, and mathematics teacher.

Jordan holds a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from New Mexico Highlands University and a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education–Mathematics from the University of New Mexico, graduating magna cum laude. He serves as treasurer and board member of the ACLU of New Mexico, as a board member of Latino Educators Advancing Leadership, and is a fellow with Manatí Fellowship.