For the 2026 school year, there are 14 alternative public elementary schools serving 2,567 students in New Mexico.
The top-ranked alternative public elementary schools in New Mexico are Coyote Willow Family School, Desert Willow Family School and Vision Quest Alternative Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
New Mexico alternative public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 41% (versus the New Mexico public elementary school average of 26%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 34% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 70% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New Mexico public elementary school average of 81% (majority Hispanic).
Best Alternative Public Elementary Schools in New Mexico (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Coyote Willow Family School
Alternative School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
7125 Irving Blvd Nw
Albuquerque, NM 87114
(505) 253-0050
Albuquerque, NM 87114
(505) 253-0050
Gr: K-8 | 280 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #22.
Desert Willow Family School
Alternative School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3303 Monroe Ne
Albuquerque, NM 87110
(505) 888-1647
Albuquerque, NM 87110
(505) 888-1647
Gr: K-8 | 289 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #33.
Vision Quest Alternative Middle School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
5401 Glenrio Rd Nw
Albuquerque, NM 87105
(505) 352-0343
Albuquerque, NM 87105
(505) 352-0343
Gr: 6-8
Rank: #44.
Belen Family School
Alternative School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4 Eastside School Road
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-2270
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-2270
Gr: 1-8 | 154 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #55.
Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
950 South Walnut St
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-6059
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-6059
Gr: 6-8 | 94 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Foothill High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
400 Edith Blvd Ne
Albuquerque, NM 87107
(505) 841-2400
Albuquerque, NM 87107
(505) 841-2400
Gr: 6-12 | 57 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Sequoyah
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3405 Pan American Fwy
Albuquerque, NM 87107
(505) 222-0355
Albuquerque, NM 87107
(505) 222-0355
Gr: 6-12 | 19 students Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #88.
Los Lunas Family School
Alternative School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
111 Monica Road
Los Lunas, NM 87031
(505) 866-8231
Los Lunas, NM 87031
(505) 866-8231
Gr: K-12 | 35 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #99.
Desert Sage Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2504 Camino Entrada
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 467-0310
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 467-0310
Gr: K-12 | 69 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1010.
Gallup Central Alternative
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
325 Marguerite St
Gallup, NM 87301
(505) 721-1051
Gallup, NM 87301
(505) 721-1051
Gr: 6-12 | 1,244 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #1111.
Carlsbad Enrichment Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
406 N. Alameda Street
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3300
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3300
Gr: 1-12 | 170 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #1212.
Rocinante High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3250 East 30th St
Farmington, NM 87401
(505) 599-8627
Farmington, NM 87401
(505) 599-8627
Gr: 6-12 | 133 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: n/an/a
Camino Nuevo Youth
Alternative School
4050 Edith Blvd Ne
Albuquerque, NM 87107
(505) 841-2400
Albuquerque, NM 87107
(505) 841-2400
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
Unm Mimbres School
Alternative School
1001 Yale Blvd Ne
Albuquerque, NM 87106
(505) 272-2890
Albuquerque, NM 87106
(505) 272-2890
Gr: PK-12 | 23 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked alternative public elementary schools in New Mexico?
The top-ranked alternative public elementary schools in New Mexico include Coyote Willow Family School, Desert Willow Family School and Vision Quest Alternative Middle School.
How many alternative public elementary schools are located in New Mexico?
14 alternative public elementary schools are located in New Mexico.
What is the racial composition of students in New Mexico?
New Mexico alternative public elementary schools minority enrollment is 70% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New Mexico public elementary schools average of 81% (majority Hispanic).
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