Penasco School District

13 School Rd
Penasco, NM 87553
(District boundaries shown in map)
2/
10
Bottom 50%
For the 2026 school year, there are 2 public elementary schools serving 201 students in Penasco School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in New Mexico.
Public Elementary Schools in Penasco School District have an average math proficiency score of 12% (versus the New Mexico public elementary school average of 26%), and reading proficiency score of 32% (versus the 34% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 96% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the New Mexico public elementary school average of 81% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (NM)
# Schools
3 Schools
662 Schools
# Students
276 Students
205,986 Students
# Teachers
18 Teachers
16,027 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Penasco 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 60-79% has decreased from 80% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (NM)
#115 out of 141 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
12%
24%
25-29%
34%
25-29%
33%
(19-20)
80-89%
77%
(2022-23)
34.6%
43.1%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.26
0.57
% American Indian
8%
12%
% Asian
n/a
1%
% Hispanic
86%
62%
% Black
n/a
2%
% White
4%
19%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
4%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $23,428 is higher than the state median of $15,107. The school district revenue/student has grown by 28% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $21,152 is higher than the state median of $14,456. The school district spending/student has grown by 14% over four school years.
This School District
This State (NM)
Total Revenue
$7 MM
$4,694 MM
Spending
$6 MM
$4,492 MM
Revenue / Student
$23,428
$15,107
Spending / Student
$21,152
$14,456

Best Penasco School District Public Elementary Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Penasco Middle School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
13 School Rd
Penasco, NM 87553
(575) 587-2230
Gr: 6-8 | 74 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #22.
Penasco Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
13 School Rd
Penasco, NM 87553
(575) 587-2230
Gr: PK-5 | 127 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 95%

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Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 3 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 276 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 96%
  • : 80-89% (Btm 50% in NM)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 12% (Btm 50%)
  • : 25-29% (Btm 50%)
  • : 25-29% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NM Dept. of Education

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