New Mexico is the fifth-largest state in the United States by landmass, covering approximately 121,590 square miles. However, it’s also one of the least populated states, with roughly 2,117,522 residents as of 2020. The New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) oversees its robust public education system that serves approximately 316,785 kids in K-12.
The state is subdivided into 148 semi-autonomous districts with approximately 890 schools. Your family may face difficulty picking the right learning environment for your kids, especially with the numerous prestigious schools available. Finding a school that meets your kid’s learning abilities and interests is going to be key to their overall education.
We’ve come up with a comprehensive guide on the ten best-rated schools in New Mexico that can help ease your search process. Our ranking considers student experience, academic performance, teacher experience, class sizes, extracurricular opportunities, graduation rates, student and parent reviews, and many more factors.
Keep reading to discover the best schools to enroll your child in New Mexico, ranked in ascending order.
Best Elementary Schools
Mountain Elementary School
2280 North Rd, Los Alamos, NM 87544
Mountain Elementary School is a high-performing school under the Los Alamos Public Schools District. It serves approximately 438 “Mountain Lions” in prekindergarten through sixth grade. The school received an overall 9/10 rating on GreatSchools.org, with Niche.com and U.S News ranking it as the best elementary school in the state.
Students at the school perform better than their peers across the state in standardized assessment tests—71% score at or above the proficiency grade in reading and 68% in math. Additionally, 91% attain proficiency in science. The school also runs a gifted and talented program that helps identify and support gifted kids.
Your child can participate in morning and afternoon extracurricular activities. Some popular clubs include Dungeons & Dragons, book club, dance Club, drama Club, student council, and homework Club.
Students can also participate in numerous sports, including swimming, track, and PE Classes. The school has one teacher for every fourteen kids, allowing the kids to receive individualized attention. Mountain Elementary also has a full-time nurse and a part-time psychologist on staff.
Parents at the school speak highly of the administration and the staff. One parent on a GreatSchools.org review hailed the principal’s openness and willingness to meet her and discuss her child’s unique education needs.
Grady Elementary School
100 Franklin St, Grady, NM 88120
Grady Elementary School is one of the three public schools under the Grady Municipal Schools District. It serves roughly 83 kids in prekindergarten through fifth grade. The school received an overall 10/10 rating from GreatSchools.org.
Most students perform at or above their grade level in state-administered assessment tests. 55% attain proficiency in reading and mathematics. Students also participate in enrichment programs such as art, music, and physical education.
Your child may also participate in numerous school-sponsored extracurricular activities, including Pee Wee Basketball, end-of-year talent show, elementary field trip, and PTO carnival.
The classes are larger than the state’s average, with one teacher for every eighteen kids. However, the faculty is highly qualified, with all teachers certified and having over three years of teaching experience. The school is an excellent pick for families in Grady searching for a holistic education for their kids.
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Hubert H Humphrey Elementary School
9801 Academy Hills Dr. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111
Hubert H. Humphrey Elementary School is a top-rated elementary school in the Albuquerque Public Schools District. The school is home to roughly 462 kids in prekindergarten through fifth grade. GreatSchools.org gave the school a 10/10 overall rating.
Students at Humphrey Elementary School are making far more academic progress than their peers across the state. 77% of the kids attain proficiency in science, 70% in math, and 66% in reading. Your student can also enroll in enrichment programs offered on a rotational basis. The programs include library media, art, computer, and physical education.
Students can also participate in extracurricular activities such as Girl Scouts and Chess Club. The school has one teacher for every sixteen kids. Additionally, all teachers have over three years of teaching experience, while 97% of full-time instructors are certified. The school also has a school nurse on staff.
Parents at the school express their satisfaction with the school on GreatSchools.org. One parent praised the school’s curriculum model, terming it great. Another spoke highly of the teachers, noting that they were dedicated, friendly, encouraging, and helpful to their child. The school is a top pick for families searching for an inclusive community in Albuquerque.
S. Y. Jackson Elementary School
4720 Cairo Dr. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111
S. Y Jackson Elementary is a top-rated public school in Albuquerque that serves roughly 498 kids in kindergarten through fifth grade. The school falls under the Albuquerque Public Schools District. GreatSchools.org gave the school a 10/10 overall rating.
S.Y. Jackson Elementary received the National Blue Ribbon designation in 2020, a testament to the high-quality education provided at the school. 74% of the kids attain proficiency in science, 63% in math, and 53% in reading. The school also runs a gifted and talented program that identifies intellectually-gifted kids and provides them with the appropriate level of challenge and support.
Students can participate in numerous extracurricular activities, most of which are facilitated by the active PTO at the school. Some popular activities include physical education, student council, and the Jaguar Band.
S. Y Jackson Elementary has one teacher for every fifteen kids. The faculty team is highly qualified, with 97% having three or more years of teaching experience and 92% holding certifications. The school also has a full-time nurse that caters to the kids’ medical needs.
Here’s what one parent had to say about their experience at the school in a review on GreatSchools.org, “Great school! Both my kids went through SYJ and were well-prepared for middle school. Teachers and office staff are always inviting and helpful.”
Best Middle Schools
Desert Willow Family School
3303 Monroe Ne, Albuquerque, NM 87110
Desert Willow Family School is a top-rated magnet public school under the Albuquerque Public Schools with a unique pedagogy approach. The school is the first hybrid homeschool and on-site educational facility in Albuquerque. Students attend a 50% or 80%program split between homeschooling and on-site school learning, allowing parents to participate more in their children’s education.
Desert Willow serves roughly 282 kids in kindergarten through eighth grade. The unique approach to instruction and learning pays off, with most students at the school performing better than their peers across the state. 88% attain proficiency in science, 73% in math, and 66% in reading.
The school also offers numerous extracurricular opportunities through clubs and organizations. Your child may join the Battle of the Books club, chess, math counts, robotics, pickleball, or Spanish. The school has one teacher for every sixteen kids, slightly worse than the state’s student-teacher average of 15:1. All full-time teachers at Desert Willow are certified.
Here’s a part of a review left by a parent expressing their satisfaction on GreatSchools.org, “Our family has been at Desert Willow Family School for five years now. It isn't a perfect place, but it has been a great fit for our family. Our son, who is in his first year at our local high school, and is at the top of his class there, recently told his younger siblings that he feels that Family School gave him the tools he needs to learn and to excel…..”
The school is ideal for parents looking to be more involved in their kids’ education.
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Anansi Charter School
57 NM-230, El Prado, NM 87529
Anansi Charter School is a highly-rated public charter school within the Taos Municipal Schools District. It serves roughly 195 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The school received an overall 9/10 rating from GreatSchools.org.
The school received the National Blue Ribbon designation in 2018, speaking highly of the quality of education offered. Students at the school perform well in state standardized assessments, with most students attaining or exceeding the proficiency mark. 68% achieved proficiency in reading and science, while 61% attained proficiency in math.
Anansi Charter offers a unique yet rigorous curriculum that blends the traditional core standards with numerous enrichment programs. Students can participate in special classes such as Spanish, arts, technology, physical education, journal writing, and computer programs.
The school also has an after-school enrichment program with numerous extra curriculum activities, including a chess club and an arts enrichment program with the Harwood Museum. The school has an excellent student-teacher ratio, with one teacher for every eleven kids. It allows the instructors to offer individualized attention to each child.
Sidney Gutierrez Middle School
69 Gail Harris St, Roswell, NM 88203
Sidney Guiterrez Middle is a top-performing public charter school under the Roswell Independent Schools District. It caters to roughly 196 students in sixth through eighth grade. U.S Niche identifies it as the best middle school in New Mexico, while GreatSchools.org gives it a 10/10 overall rating.
The Sidney Gutierrez Charter is anchored on a well-researched notion that small class sizes and small schools facilitate authentic and personalized learning. Teachers use a multi-discipline, project-oriented approach while teaching, stimulating intrinsic motivation and interest in core academic areas among the kids. 83% of the kids attain proficiency in math and 78% in English.
The school employs a highly qualified and experienced faculty, with all teachers holding professional certifications and over three years of teaching experience. The school also has a part-time social worker amongst its staff.
Parents express their satisfaction with their experience at the school, with Sidney Gutierrez Middle receiving a 5/5 star review on GreatSchools.org. One parent was pleased with the school’s unique hands-on teaching approach that they credit to instilling a passion for knowledge in their kids. The parents also hailed the school’s gifted and talented program.
Best High Schools
Academy For Technology And The Classics
74 A Van Nu Po, Santa Fe, NM 87508
The Academy For Technology And The Classics(ATC) is a top-rated public charter school within the Santa Fe Public Schools District. It serves approximately 397 students in seventh through twelfth grade. Founded in 2000, the school aims to provide a college preparatory education anchored on a classical and technology-driven approach.
ATC offers a robust course selection, with students requiring 26 credits to graduate. 95% of enrolled students graduate, with 80-90% proceeding to college. The school has an ACT/SAT participation rate of 12%.
Students have numerous opportunities to earn college credits through dual credit programs and advanced placement courses. The school offers 12 AP courses, with 72% of the students enrolling. Dual credit classes have a 4% participation rate.
The school also offers other specialized courses, including art, music, performance art, and world language programs. Students interested in STEM careers can undertake the Project Lead The Way(PLTW) Gateway and Engineering curricula.
Students can enroll in one of the 18 clubs, societies, and organizations. The school also has 12 athletic teams that your child can participate in. The school is an excellent pick for families searching for an all-rounded education in Santa Fe.
Cottonwood Classical Preparatory
7801 Jefferson Street Northeast, Albuquerque, NM 87109
Cottonwood Classical Preparatory is a top-rated public charter school under the Albuquerque Public Schools District. It serves roughly 781 students in sixth through twelfth grade. The school earned a 9/10 rating from GreatSchools.org.
The school offers a unique approach to learning, with numerous special programs and curricula. Instructors use the Paideia approach alongside Socratic Seminars to prepare kids for the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Cottonwood enjoys a 100% graduation rate. The IB participation rate is 97%.
Students at the school excel in standardized test scores, with 69% attaining proficiency in reading and 70% in science. Cottonwood Classical also allows students to earn college credits through its dual enrollment classes that see 3%.
The school offers numerous extracurricular opportunities for students to develop their leadership skills and grow their talents outside the classroom. Some of the clubs at the school include Esports, Mock Trial, Science Olympiad, and Speech and Debate.
Your child may also enroll in one of the school’s athletic teams. The school is a member of District 6 in the New Mexico Activities Association(NMAA) and fields six varsity teams. These include cross-country, basketball, golf, swimming, track and field, and girls’ volleyball.
Albuquerque Institute Of Math & Science
933 Bradbury Dr. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106
Albuquerque Institute of Math & Science (AIMS) is a top-rated public charter school that serves roughly 354 students in sixth through twelfth grade. Founded in 2006, the school boast of being the only high school affiliated with the University of New Mexico. It was a recipient of the National Blue Ribbon Award in 2013.
The school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum, with 94% of the enrolled students graduating. The students excel in state standardized test scores, with 93% attaining proficiency in science, 90% in reading, and 74% in math. AIMS has a 32% SAT/ACT participation rate.
Students at the school have numerous opportunities to earn college credits while in high school. The first is through the advanced placement program, where the school offers six AP courses with an 87% participation rate. The school also has a robust dual credit program in partnership with the University of New Mexico (UNM) Albuquerque Campus, Central New Mexico Community College, and New Mexico Highlands University. 43% of the students participate in dual enrollment classes.
Other courses your child can enroll in include art, music, performance arts, and world language programs. The school offers numerous extracurricular activities, identified as intensive programs. It has 24 clubs, organizations, and sports teams that your child can enroll in.
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Find The Right School For Your Child
New Mexico has a robust public education system, with several top-rated and distinguished schools. From high-performing traditional elementary schools to top-rated public charter high schools, there’s a school to fit every student profile.
The schools on this list may provide an excellent starting point in your search for the ideal learning environment for your child. Use this guide as a benchmark to pick the next school for your family.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Cheryl Casey/Shutterstock.com.