For the 2025 school year, there are 80 public schools serving 37,792 students in Dona Ana County, NM (there are 9 private schools, serving 1,216 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Dona Ana County, NM are educated in public schools (compared to the NM state average of 93%).
The top ranked public schools in Dona Ana County, NM are White Sands Elementary School, Arrowhead Park Early College High School and Las Montanas Charter. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Dona Ana County, NM public schools have an average math proficiency score of 22% (versus the New Mexico public school average of 25%), and reading proficiency score of 32% (versus the 34% statewide average). Schools in Dona Ana County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of New Mexico public schools.
Minority enrollment is 89% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the New Mexico public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Dona Ana County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
White Sands Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1 Viking St White Sands Missil
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 674-1241
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 674-1241
Grades: PK-8
| 283 students
Rank: #22.
Arrowhead Park Early College High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3400 South Espina St
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9540
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9540
Grades: 9-12
| 554 students
Rank: #33.
Las Montanas Charter
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1405 S. Solano Ave
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 636-2100
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 636-2100
Grades: 9-12
| 172 students
Rank: #44.
J Paul Taylor Academy
Charter School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
402 W. Court Ave Bldg 2
Las Cruces, NM 88005
(575) 652-4006
Las Cruces, NM 88005
(575) 652-4006
Grades: K-8
| 200 students
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
Grades: 6-8
| 99 students
Rank: #66.
Sonoma Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4201 Northrise Dr
Las Cruces, NM 88011
(575) 541-7320
Las Cruces, NM 88011
(575) 541-7320
Grades: PK-5
| 735 students
Rank: #77.
Alta Vista Early College High School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5235 Highway 28
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6400
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6400
Grades: 9-12
| 194 students
Rank: #88.
Desert Hills Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
280 North Roadrunner Pkwy
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9619
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9619
Grades: PK-5
| 539 students
Rank: #99.
Explore Academy Las Cruces
Charter School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
850 N Telshor Blvd
Las Cruces, NM 88011
(575) 888-4476
Las Cruces, NM 88011
(575) 888-4476
Grades: 4-10
| 343 students
Rank: #1010.
Highland Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4201 Emerald St
Las Cruces, NM 88012
(575) 527-9636
Las Cruces, NM 88012
(575) 527-9636
Grades: PK-5
| 724 students
Rank: #1111.
Gadsden Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1440 Hwy 478
Sunland Park, NM 88063
(575) 882-3050
Sunland Park, NM 88063
(575) 882-3050
Grades: PK-6
| 399 students
Rank: #1212.
La Union Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
875 Mercantile
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Grades: PK-6
| 359 students
Rank: #1313.
Monte Vista Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4675 Peachtree Hills
Las Cruces, NM 88012
(575) 527-9490
Las Cruces, NM 88012
(575) 527-9490
Grades: PK-5
| 723 students
Rank: #1414.
Tombaugh Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
226 Carver Rd
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9575
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9575
Grades: PK-5
| 584 students
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Mesilla Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2363 Calle Del Sur
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9566
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9566
Grades: PK-5
| 317 students
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
University Hills Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2005 South Locust St
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9649
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9649
Grades: PK-5
| 341 students
Rank: #1717.
Anthony Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
609 Church St
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Grades: PK-6
| 320 students
Rank: #1818.
Desert View Elementary School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1105 Valle Vista Dr
Sunland Park, NM 88063
(575) 882-6203
Sunland Park, NM 88063
(575) 882-6203
Grades: K-6
| 493 students
Rank: #1919.
Jornada Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3400 Elks Dr
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9536
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9536
Grades: PK-5
| 453 students
Rank: #2020.
Santa Teresa Elementary School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
201 Commerciantes
Santa Teresa, NM 88008
(575) 882-6203
Santa Teresa, NM 88008
(575) 882-6203
Grades: PK-6
| 487 students
Rank: #2121.
Santa Teresa Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4800 Mcnutt Rd
Santa Teresa, NM 88008
(575) 882-6203
Santa Teresa, NM 88008
(575) 882-6203
Grades: 7-8
| 602 students
Rank: #2222.
Camino Real Middle School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2961 Roadrunner Pkwy
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-6030
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-6030
Grades: 6-8
| 928 students
Rank: #2323.
Mesilla Park Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
955 West Union Ave
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9615
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9615
Grades: PK-5
| 330 students
Rank: #2424.
Alma D'arte Charter
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
402 W Court Ave
Las Cruces, NM 88005
(575) 541-0145
Las Cruces, NM 88005
(575) 541-0145
Grades: 9-12
| 137 students
Rank: #2525.
East Picacho Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4450 North Valley Dr
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9516
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9516
Grades: PK-5
| 482 students
Rank: #2626.
Desert Trail Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
290 East Lisa
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Grades: K-6
| 467 students
Rank: #2727.
Chaparral Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
300 Lisa Dr
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Grades: PK-6
| 429 students
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Dona Ana Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
5551 Camino De Flores
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9506
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9506
Grades: PK-5
| 377 students
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Loma Linda Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1451 Donaldson Ave
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Grades: K-6
| 283 students
Rank: #3030.
Sierra Middle School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1700 E Spruce Ave
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9640
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9640
Grades: 6-8
| 752 students
Rank: #3131.
Hillrise Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1400 South Curnutt St
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9666
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9666
Grades: PK-5
| 431 students
Rank: #32 - 3332. - 33.
Centennial High School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1950 S Sonoma Ranch Blvd
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9330
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9330
Grades: 9-12
| 1,664 students
Rank: #32 - 3332. - 33.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
150 North Alameda Blvd
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9496
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9496
Grades: PK-5
| 186 students
Rank: #3434.
Garfield Elementary School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 20-24% )
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
8820 Hwy 187
Garfield, NM 87936
(575) 267-8280
Garfield, NM 87936
(575) 267-8280
Grades: PK-2
| 96 students
Rank: #3535.
Sunrise Elementary School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1000 County Line Dr
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Grades: PK-6
| 433 students
Show 45 more public schools in Dona Ana County, NM (out of 80 total schools)
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Dona Ana County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Ace Alternative Complex Edu High School (Closed 2007)
Alternative School
P.o. Box 790
Hatch, NM 87937
(505) 267-8225
Hatch, NM 87937
(505) 267-8225
Grades: 9-12
| 34 students
Alma D'arte Charter (Closed 2023)
Charter School
P.o. Box 7027
Las Cruces, NM 88006
(505) 541-0145
Las Cruces, NM 88006
(505) 541-0145
Grades: 9-12
| 163 students
Alma De Valle Elementary School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
129 Tawa
Anthony, NM 88021
(505) 882-3531
Anthony, NM 88021
(505) 882-3531
Grades: PK
| 13 students
P.o. Drawer 70
Anthony, NM 88021
(505) 882-3531
Anthony, NM 88021
(505) 882-3531
Grades: PK
| 7 students
Anthony Charter School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
780 Landers Rd
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 885-0600
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 885-0600
Grades: 7-12
| 95 students
Anthony Child Dev. Elementary School (Closed 2004)
Special Education School
P.o. Drawer 70
Anthony, NM 88021
(505) 882-1904
Anthony, NM 88021
(505) 882-1904
Grades: PK
| 14 students
3600 Arrowhead Drive
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9540
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9540
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
505 S Main,suite 249
Dona Ana, NM 88032
(505) 527-5807
Dona Ana, NM 88032
(505) 527-5807
Grades: PK
| 17 students
Dona Ana Jdc (Closed 2007)
Alternative School
505 S Main,suite 249
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(505) 527-5800
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(505) 527-5800
Grades: 6-12
| 43 students
505 S Main,suite 249
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(505) 537-5807
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(505) 537-5807
Grades: PK-5
| 642 students
P.o. Box 790
Hatch, NM 87937
(505) 267-8200
Hatch, NM 87937
(505) 267-8200
Grades: PK
| 5 students
5340 Mcnutt Rd
Santa Teresa, NM 88008
(555) 555-5555
Santa Teresa, NM 88008
(555) 555-5555
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Homeboundhospital (Closed 2004)
Alternative School
505 S Main,suite249
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(505) 527-5807
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(505) 527-5807
Grades: PK-9
| 6 students
Homeboundhospital (Closed 2007)
Alternative School
1325 W. Washington
Anthony, NM 88021
(505) 882-6203
Anthony, NM 88021
(505) 882-6203
Grades: PK-12
| 7 students
P.o. Box 67
La Mesa, NM 88044
(505) 233-3475
La Mesa, NM 88044
(505) 233-3475
Grades: PK-6
| 309 students
Mesilla Alt. Program Middle School (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
505 S Main,suite 249
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(505) 523-5860
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(505) 523-5860
Grades: 7-8
| 31 students
Mesilla Valley Rtc (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
505 S Main,suite 249
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(505) 527-5972
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(505) 527-5972
Grades: 6-11
| 64 students
205 Nm Hwy 228
Mesquite, NM 88048
(575) 882-6203
Mesquite, NM 88048
(575) 882-6203
Grades: PK-6
| n/a students
Rtc-residental Tr Ct (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
5050-b Mcnutt Road
White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002
(505) 882-6236
White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002
(505) 882-6236
Grades: 1-12
| 92 students
San Andres High School (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
505 S Main,suite 249
Mesilla, NM 88046
(505) 526-2125
Mesilla, NM 88046
(505) 526-2125
Grades: 9-12
| 200 students
P.o. Box C
San Miguel, NM 88058
(505) 233-3236
San Miguel, NM 88058
(505) 233-3236
Grades: PK-6
| 374 students
1 Viking St Wsmr
White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002
(505) 527-5800
White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002
(505) 527-5800
Grades: 6-8
| 112 students
505 S Main,suite 249
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(505) 525-3166
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(505) 525-3166
Grades: 6-8
| 914 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Dona Ana County, NM?
The top ranked public schools in Dona Ana County, NM include White Sands Elementary School, Arrowhead Park Early College High School and Las Montanas Charter.
How many public schools are located in Dona Ana County?
80 public schools are located in Dona Ana County.
What percentage of students in Dona Ana County go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Dona Ana County are educated in public schools (compared to the NM state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Dona Ana County?
Dona Ana County public schools minority enrollment is 89% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the New Mexico public schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Dona Ana County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Dona Ana County include: North Valley Elementary School vs. Tombaugh Elementary School, Santa Teresa Elementary School vs. Riverside Elementary School, Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy vs. Mesa Middle School
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