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 2026 school year, there are 7 public elementary schools serving 1,955 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.
Public 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 83% 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
10 Schools
663 Schools
# Students
3,500 Students
206,128 Students
# Teachers
232 Teachers
16,039 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Belen 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 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
0.35
0.57
% American Indian
2%
12%
% Asian
n/a
1%
% Hispanic
79%
62%
% Black
1%
2%
% White
16%
19%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $15,850 is higher than the state median of $15,100. The school district revenue/student has grown by 27% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $12,569 is less than the state median of $14,450. 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
$15,850
$15,100
Spending / Student
$12,569
$14,450
Best Belen School District Public Elementary Schools (2026)
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 | 154 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
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 | 316 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
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 | 294 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 | 332 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
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 | 463 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
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 | 230 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #77.
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 | 166 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
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