New Mexico is the #36 largest school system in the United States, serving 310,536 students across the 916 public schools for the 2026-27 school year (there are 186 private schools, serving 23,468 students). 93% of all K-12 students in New Mexico attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in New Mexico is 25%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 34%.
The top-ranked public schools in New Mexico are Albuquerque Institute Of Math & Science, Mountain Elementary School, and Pinon Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
There are 41 Blue Ribbon Schools, 2 magnet schools, 98 charter schools, and 9 special education schools.
Minority enrollment is 81%, with the majority being Hispanic and the student-teacher ratio is 13:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in New Mexico (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Albuquerque Institute Of Math & Science
Charter School
(Math: 90% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90% (Top 1%)
Grades: 6-12
933 Bradbury Se
Albuquerque, NM 87106
(505) 559-4249
Albuquerque, NM 87106
(505) 559-4249
Rank: #22.
Mountain Elementary School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 78% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-6
2280 North Rd
Los Alamos, NM 87544
(505) 663-2325
Los Alamos, NM 87544
(505) 663-2325
Rank: #33.
Pinon Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-6
90 Grand Canyon Dr
White Rock, NM 87547
(505) 663-2680
White Rock, NM 87547
(505) 663-2680
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Altura Preparatory School
Charter School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 70-74% (Top 1%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
8650 Alameda Blvd Bldg 2b
Albuquerque, NM 87122
(505) 539-5369
Albuquerque, NM 87122
(505) 539-5369
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Sidney Gutierrez Middle School
Charter School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 70-74% (Top 1%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-8
69 E. Gail Harris
Roswell, NM 88201
(575) 347-9703
Roswell, NM 88201
(575) 347-9703
Rank: #66.
North Star Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 73% (Top 1%)
Reading: 75% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-5
9301 Ventura Ne
Albuquerque, NM 87122
(505) 856-6578
Albuquerque, NM 87122
(505) 856-6578
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Anansi Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 60-64% (Top 5%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-8
57 Nm 230
El Prado, NM 87529
(575) 758-5202
El Prado, NM 87529
(575) 758-5202
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Coyote Willow Family School
Alternative School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 60-64% (Top 5%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-8
7125 Irving Blvd Nw
Albuquerque, NM 87114
(505) 253-0050
Albuquerque, NM 87114
(505) 253-0050
Rank: #99.
Desert Willow Family School
Alternative School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Reading: 70-74% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-8
3303 Monroe Ne
Albuquerque, NM 87110
(505) 888-1647
Albuquerque, NM 87110
(505) 888-1647
Rank: #1010.
Georgia O'keeffe Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 69% (Top 5%)
Reading: 75% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-5
11701 San Victorio Ne
Albuquerque, NM 87111
(505) 293-4259
Albuquerque, NM 87111
(505) 293-4259
Overview
This State (NM)
US
# Schools
916 Schools
100,275 Schools
# Students
310,536 Students
49,273,202 Students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
# Teachers
22,958 Teachers
3,176,873 Teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (NM)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
24%
41%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
38%
47%
Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
34%
43%
Graduation Rate
76.5%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
85%
50%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 25-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
1%
5%
Showing 2009–2025. Full 25-year historical data available below ↓
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.56
0.71
Showing 2016–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
# American Indian Students
36,036 Students
465,608 Students
% American Indian Students
11%
1%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
# Asian Students
3,741 Students
2,805,329 Students
% Asian Students
1%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
# Hispanic Students
195,294 Students
14,933,117 Students
% Hispanic Students
63%
30%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
# Black Students
5,279 Students
7,261,590 Students
% Black Students
2%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
# White Students
58,314 Students
20,989,063 Students
% White Students
19%
43%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
# Hawaiian Students
357 Students
196,826 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
11,515 Students
2,585,768 Students
% of Two or more races Students
4%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 16-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (NM)
Statewide Total Revenue
$6,038 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Statewide Total Spending
$5,713 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$19,444
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$18,398
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best New Mexico Public Schools by County (2026-27)
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in New Mexico?
The top-ranked public schools in New Mexico include Albuquerque Institute Of Math & Science, Mountain Elementary School, and Pinon Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in New Mexico?
916 public schools are located in New Mexico.
What percentage of students in New Mexico go to public school?
93% of all K-12 students in New Mexico attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in New Mexico?
Minority enrollment in New Mexico is 81%, with the majority being Hispanic.
Which public schools in New Mexico are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in New Mexico include: Wherry Elementary School vs. Sandia Base Elementary School, Tatum Elementary School vs. Broadmoor Elementary School, Clovis High School Freshman Academy vs. Clovis High School
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