New Mexico is the #36 largest school system in the United States, serving 318,116 students across the 926 public schools for the 2025 school year (there are 187 private schools, serving 23,409 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 Altura Preparatory School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
There are 41 Blue Ribbon Schools, 3 magnet schools, 100 charter schools, and 9 special education schools.
Minority enrollment is 80%, with the majority being Hispanic and the student:teacher ratio is 14:1.
Top Ranked Public Schools in New Mexico (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Albuquerque Institute Of Math & Science
Charter School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 89% (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: 80% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 80% (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: #3 - 63. - 6.
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: #3 - 63. - 6.
Pinon Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 70-74% (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: #3 - 63. - 6.
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: #3 - 63. - 6.
Wood-gormley Elementary 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-6
141 East Booth St
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 467-4800
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 467-4800
Rank: #77.
Coyote Willow Family School
Alternative School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 65-69% (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: #88.
Georgia O'keeffe Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 70% (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
Rank: #99.
Desert Willow Family School
Alternative School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 70-74% (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: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Des Moines Elementary School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: ≥80% (Top 1%)
Reading: 60-79% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-6
500 Des Moines Avenue
Des Moines, NM 88418
(575) 278-2611
Des Moines, NM 88418
(575) 278-2611
Overview
This State (NM)
# Schools
926 Schools
# Students
318,116 Students
Gender %
# Teachers
22,011 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (NM)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
24%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
34%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
33%
Graduation Rate
(20-21)66%
Eligible for Free Lunch
74%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.56
# American Indian Students
38,280 Students
% American Indian Students
12%
# Asian Students
3,881 Students
% Asian Students
1%
# Hispanic Students
198,105 Students
% Hispanic Students
62%
# Black Students
5,575 Students
% Black Students
2%
# White Students
64,514 Students
% White Students
20%
# Hawaiian Students
396 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
# Two or more races Students
7,345 Students
% of Two or more races Students
3%
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (NM)
Total Revenue (22-23)
$4,694 MM
Spending (22-23)
$4,492 MM
Revenue / Student (22-23)
$14,756
Spending / Student (22-23)
$14,121
Best New Mexico Public Schools by County (2025)
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 Altura Preparatory School.
How many public schools are located in New Mexico?
926 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 80%, 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: Tatum Elementary School vs. Broadmoor Elementary School, Cleveland High School vs. Rio Rancho High School, Capital High School vs. Santa Fe High School
Recent Articles

Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.

Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.

Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.