Public School Review - Established 2003

La Merced Elementary School vs. Rio Grande Elementary School

Should you attend La Merced Elementary School or Rio Grande Elementary School? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, test scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.

School Overview

School
La Merced Elementary School
301 Alame Loop
Belen, NM 87002
: 
6/
10
Top 50%
Rio Grande Elementary School
15 Eastside School Rd
Belen, NM 87002
: 
8/
10
Top 30%
Top Rankings

La Merced Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in New Mexico for:

Category
Attribute
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
Largest percent of students eligible for free lunch (Top 1%)

Rio Grande Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in New Mexico for:

Category
Attribute
Most improved public schools
Most improved public schools (Top 10%)
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
Largest percent of students eligible for free lunch (Top 1%)
Overview
Serving 433 students in grades Prekindergarten-6, La Merced Elementary School ranks in the top 50% of all schools in New Mexico for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 28% (which is higher than the New Mexico state average of 24%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 31% (which is lower than the New Mexico state average of 34%).
The student-teacher ratio of 15:1 is higher than the New Mexico state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 80% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is equal to the New Mexico state average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Serving 359 students in grades Prekindergarten-6, Rio Grande Elementary School ranks in the top 30% of all schools in New Mexico for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 30%, and reading proficiency is top 30%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 30-39% (which is higher than the New Mexico state average of 24%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 40-44% (which is higher than the New Mexico state average of 34%).
The student-teacher ratio of 13:1 is equal to the New Mexico state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 86% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the New Mexico state average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Grades Offered
PK-6
PK-6
Total Students
433 students
359 students
This chart illustrates the total number of students at La Merced Elementary School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Rio Grande Elementary School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
% Male | % Female
52% | 48%
50% | 50%
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at La Merced Elementary School.
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Rio Grande Elementary School.
Total Classroom Teachers
28 teachers
27 teachers
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at La Merced Elementary School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Rio Grande Elementary School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
13:1
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at La Merced Elementary School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Belen School District and the state of New Mexico, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Rio Grande Elementary School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Belen School District and the state of New Mexico, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.

Test Scores

#334 out of 796 schools in NM
(Top 50%)
#188 out of 796 schools in NM
(Top 30%)
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of La Merced Elementary School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Rio Grande Elementary School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
28%
(Top 50% in NM)
30-39%
(Top 30% in NM)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at La Merced Elementary School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Belen School District and New Mexico public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Rio Grande Elementary School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Belen School District and New Mexico public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
31%
(Bottom 50% in NM)(21-22 School Year Data)
40-44%
(Top 30% in NM)(21-22 School Year Data)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at La Merced Elementary School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Belen School District and New Mexico public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Rio Grande Elementary School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Belen School District and New Mexico public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
20-24%
(Bottom 50% in NM)(21-22 School Year Data)
21-39%
(Bottom 50% in NM)(21-22 School Year Data)

Students by Grade

Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of La Merced Elementary School by grade.
This chart displays the students of Rio Grande Elementary School by grade.
Pre-K Students
1
56
Kindergarten Students
48
82
Grade 1 Students
71
75
Grade 2 Students
66
74
Grade 3 Students
51
72
Grade 4 Students
70
-
Grade 5 Students
69
-
Grade 6 Students
57
-

Students by Ethnicity

% American Indian
2%
2%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as American Indian at La Merced Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as American Indian in the Belen School District and in New Mexico, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as American Indian at Rio Grande Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as American Indian in the Belen School District and in New Mexico, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2020-21 school year.
% Asian
n/a
n/a
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at La Merced Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Belen School District and in New Mexico, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2010-11 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Rio Grande Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Belen School District and in New Mexico, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2004-05 school year.
% Hispanic
77%
83%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at La Merced Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Belen School District and in New Mexico, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Rio Grande Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Belen School District and in New Mexico, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Black
1%
1%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at La Merced Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Belen School District and in New Mexico, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Rio Grande Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Belen School District and in New Mexico, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% White
20%
14%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at La Merced Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Belen School District and in New Mexico, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Rio Grande Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Belen School District and in New Mexico, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
n/a
n/a
0.37
0.29
This chart showcases the diversity score of La Merced Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Belen School District and New Mexico, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the diversity score of Rio Grande Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Belen School District and New Mexico, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.

Additional Information

Eligible for Free Lunch
69%
100%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at La Merced Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Belen School District and New Mexico, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Rio Grande Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Belen School District and New Mexico, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
(15-16 School Year Data)
39%
(06-07 School Year Data)
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at La Merced Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Belen School District and New Mexico, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2015-16 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Rio Grande Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Belen School District and New Mexico, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2006-07 school year.
 
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