Top Rankings
Belen School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in New Mexico for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 11 public schools serving 3,818 students in Belen School District. This district's average testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public schools in New Mexico.
Public Schools in Belen School District have an average math proficiency score of 27% (versus the New Mexico public school average of 25%), and reading proficiency score of 30% (versus the 34% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 82% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the New Mexico public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NM)
# Schools
11 Schools
926 Schools
# Students
3,818 Students
318,116 Students
# Teachers
243 Teachers
22,011 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Belen School District, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 140 school districts in New Mexico (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 61% has decreased from 69% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#66 out of 141 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
28%
24%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
29%
34%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
25%
33%
Graduation Rate
(20-21)75%
66%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.36
0.56
% American Indian
2%
12%
% Asian
n/a
1%
% Hispanic
78%
62%
% Black
1%
2%
% White
18%
20%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
1%
3%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $14,530 in this school district is less than the state median of $14,756. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $11,522 is less than the state median of $14,121. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$56 MM
$4,694 MM
Spending
$44 MM
$4,492 MM
Revenue / Student
$14,530
$14,756
Spending / Student
$11,522
$14,121
Best Belen School District Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
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 | 139 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Gil Sanchez Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
376 Jarales Rd
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-1900
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-1900
Gr: PK-6 | 304 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #33.
Dennis Chavez Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
19670 Hwy 314
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-1800
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-1800
Gr: PK-6 | 281 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #44.
Rio Grande Elementary School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
15 Eastside School Rd
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-2200
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-2200
Gr: PK-6 | 359 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #55.
La Merced Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
301 Alame Loop
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-2100
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-2100
Gr: PK-6 | 433 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #66.
Belen High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1619 West Delgado Ave
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-1300
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-1300
Gr: 9-12 | 1,044 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #77.
La Promesa Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
898 Hwy 304
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-2400
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-2400
Gr: PK-6 | 205 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #88.
Jaramillo Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29% )
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
900 Esperanza Dr
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-2001
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-2001
Gr: PK-3 | 254 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #99.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
600 W. Picard Ave
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-1200
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-1200
Gr: 4-6 | 183 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #1010.
Belen Infinity High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
221 S 4th St
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-1500
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-1500
Gr: 9-12 | 123 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1111.
Belen Middle School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
314 South 4th St
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-1600
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-1600
Gr: 7-8 | 493 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Belen School District?
Belen School District manages 11 public schools serving 3,818 students.
What is the rank of Belen School District?
Belen School District is ranked #70 out of 140 school districts in New Mexico (top 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of New Mexico school districts for: Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Belen School District?
78% of Belen School District students are Hispanic, 18% of students are White, 2% of students are American Indian, 1% of students are Black, and 1% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Belen School District?
Belen School District has a student/teacher ratio of 16:1, which is higher than the New Mexico state average of 14:1.
What is Belen School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $11,522 is less than the state median of $14,121. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
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