Top Rankings
Belen School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in New Mexico for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025-26 school year, there are 8 public elementary schools serving 2,158 students in Belen School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public elementary schools in New Mexico.
ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Elementary Schools in Belen School District have an average math proficiency score of 33% (versus the New Mexico public elementary school average of 26%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 34% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 82% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the New Mexico public elementary school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NM)
# Schools
11 Schools
667 Schools
# Students
3,818 Students
210,405 Students
# Teachers
243 Teachers
15,329 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Belen 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 61% has decreased from 69% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#66 out of 141 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
28%
24%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
29%
34%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
25%
33%
Graduation Rate
(20-21)75%
66%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.36
0.57
% American Indian
2%
12%
% Asian
n/a
1%
% Hispanic
78%
61%
% Black
1%
2%
% White
18%
21%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
1%
3%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $14,530 in this school district is less than the state median of $14,756. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $11,522 is less than the state median of $14,121. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$56 MM
$4,694 MM
Spending
$44 MM
$4,492 MM
Revenue / Student
$14,530
$14,756
Spending / Student
$11,522
$14,121
Best Belen School District ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Elementary Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Belen Family School
Alternative School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4 Eastside School Road
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-2270
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-2270
Gr: 1-8 | 139 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Gil Sanchez Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
376 Jarales Rd
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-1900
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-1900
Gr: PK-6 | 304 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #33.
Dennis Chavez Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
19670 Hwy 314
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-1800
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-1800
Gr: PK-6 | 281 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #44.
Rio Grande Elementary School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
15 Eastside School Rd
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-2200
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-2200
Gr: PK-6 | 359 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #55.
La Merced Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
301 Alame Loop
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-2100
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-2100
Gr: PK-6 | 433 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #66.
La Promesa Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
898 Hwy 304
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-2400
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-2400
Gr: PK-6 | 205 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #77.
Jaramillo Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29% )
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
900 Esperanza Dr
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-2001
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-2001
Gr: PK-3 | 254 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #88.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
600 W. Picard Ave
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-1200
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-1200
Gr: 4-6 | 183 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Recent Articles

School Choice vs. Neighborhood Schools: Key Factors
Explore school choice vs. neighborhood schools in 2025. Learn key factors parents should weigh when deciding the best fit for their child.

Best School Match 2025: ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø vs Charter vs Magnet
Compare 2025 public, charter, and magnet school options with updated data, trends, and strategies to find the best fit.

ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø School Boundaries and Equity in 2025
Explore how public school boundaries shape access, equity, and opportunity for students in 2025. Learn the impact on families and education policy.