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 2026 school year, there are 10 public schools serving 3,500 students in Belen School District. This district's average testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 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 83% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the New Mexico public school average of 81% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NM)
# Schools
10 Schools
918 Schools
# Students
3,500 Students
310,736 Students
# Teachers
232 Teachers
22,973 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Belen School District, which is ranked within the bottom 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%
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)48.7%
43.1%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.35
0.56
% American Indian
2%
11%
% Asian
n/a
1%
% Hispanic
79%
63%
% Black
1%
2%
% White
16%
19%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $15,850 is higher than the state median of $15,107. The school district revenue/student has grown by 27% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $12,569 is less than the state median of $14,456. 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
$15,850
$15,107
Spending / Student
$12,569
$14,456
Best Belen School District Public Schools (2026)
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 | 154 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
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 | 316 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
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 | 294 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 | 332 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
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 | 463 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
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 | 958 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
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 | 230 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #88.
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 | 166 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #99.
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 | 112 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #1010.
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 | 475 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Belen School District?
Belen School District manages 10 public schools serving 3,500 students.
What is the rank of Belen School District?
Belen School District is ranked #71 out of 140 school districts in New Mexico (bottom 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?
79% of Belen School District students are Hispanic, 16% of students are White, 2% of students are American Indian, 2% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Belen School District?
Belen School District has a student/teacher ratio of 15:1, which is higher than the New Mexico state average of 13:1.
What is Belen School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $12,569 is less than the state median of $14,456. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
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