Portales School District

501 South Abilene
Portales, NM 88130
(District boundaries shown in map)
7/
10
Top 50%

Top Rankings

Portales School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in New Mexico for:

Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 6 public schools serving 2,518 students in Portales School District. This district's average testing ranking is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public schools in New Mexico.
Public Schools in Portales School District have an average math proficiency score of 26% (versus the New Mexico public school average of 25%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 34% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New Mexico public school average of 81% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (NM)
# Schools
6 Schools
918 Schools
# Students
2,518 Students
310,736 Students
# Teachers
216 Teachers
22,973 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
12:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Portales 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 82% has increased from 77% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (NM)
#48 out of 141 school districts
(Top 50%)
26%
24%
35%
34%
37%
33%
(20-21)
80-84%
66%
(2022-23)
37.2%
43.1%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.48
0.56
% American Indian
1%
11%
% Asian
1%
1%
% Hispanic
68%
63%
% Black
2%
2%
% White
25%
19%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
4%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $14,128 in this school district is less than the state median of $15,107. The school district revenue/student has grown by 5% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,912 is less than the state median of $14,456. The school district spending/student has grown by 10% over four school years.
This School District
This State (NM)
Total Revenue
$36 MM
$4,694 MM
Spending
$35 MM
$4,492 MM
Revenue / Student
$14,128
$15,107
Spending / Student
$13,912
$14,456

Best Portales School District Public Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Lindsey-steiner Elementary School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1000 North Ave M
Portales, NM 88130
(575) 356-7060
Gr: 5-6 | 376 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #22.
Portales Jr High School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
700 East 3rd St
Portales, NM 88130
(575) 356-7045
Gr: 7-8 | 326 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #33.
Valencia Elementary School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1415 South Globe
Portales, NM 88130
(575) 356-7090
Gr: 3-4 | 366 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #44.
Portales High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
201 South Knoxville Ave
Portales, NM 88130
(575) 356-7015
Gr: 9-12 | 754 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: n/an/a
520 West 5th St
Portales, NM 88130
(575) 356-7075
Gr: PK-K | 332 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: n/an/a
701 West 18th St
Portales, NM 88130
(575) 359-3675
Gr: 1-2 | 364 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 76%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Portales School District?
Portales School District manages 6 public schools serving 2,518 students.
What is the rank of Portales School District?
Portales School District is ranked #56 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: Highest graduation rate (Top 20%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Portales School District?
68% of Portales School District students are Hispanic, 25% of students are White, 3% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are Black, 1% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Portales School District?
Portales School District has a student/teacher ratio of 12:1, which is lower than the New Mexico state average of 13:1.
What is Portales School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $13,912 is less than the state median of $14,456. The school district spending/student has grown by 10% over four school years.

Recent Articles

Gifted, Honors, and Advanced Tracks: Are They Accessible or Just Advertised?
Gifted, Honors, and Advanced Tracks: Are They Accessible or Just Advertised?
Learn how to evaluate gifted, honors, and advanced academic programs in public schools, including admission criteria, equity, and the questions every parent should ask.
Algebra Readiness: What Parents Should Ask Before Middle School
Algebra Readiness: What Parents Should Ask Before Middle School
Discover how to determine if your child is ready for algebra before middle school, including the questions parents should ask and the skills students need to succeed.
How to Evaluate Reading Instruction in Your Zoned Elementary School
How to Evaluate Reading Instruction in Your Zoned Elementary School
Learn how to evaluate reading instruction in your neighborhood elementary school by recognizing effective literacy practices, asking the right questions, and understanding what quality reading instruction looks like.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 6 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 2,518 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 75%
  • : 80-84% (Top 20% in NM)
  • : Top 50%
  • : 26% (Top 50%)
  • : 35% (Top 50%)
  • : 37% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NM Dept. of Education

Quick Links