Top Rankings
Carlsbad 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 10 public elementary schools serving 4,809 students in Carlsbad School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in New Mexico.
Public Elementary Schools in Carlsbad School District have an average math proficiency score of 26% (versus the New Mexico public elementary school average of 26%), and reading proficiency score of 31% (versus the 34% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New Mexico public elementary school average of 81% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NM)
# Schools
14 Schools
663 Schools
# Students
7,217 Students
206,128 Students
# Teachers
434 Teachers
16,039 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
17:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Carlsbad 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 76% has increased from 69% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#62 out of 141 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
25%
24%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
32%
34%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
28%
33%
Graduation Rate
(20-21)67%
66%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.47
0.57
% American Indian
1%
12%
% Asian
1%
1%
% Hispanic
68%
62%
% Black
1%
2%
% White
27%
19%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $19,711 is higher than the state median of $15,100. The school district revenue/student has grown by 10% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $14,435 is less than the state median of $14,450. The school district spending/student has grown by 9% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$142 MM
$4,694 MM
Spending
$104 MM
$4,492 MM
Revenue / Student
$19,711
$15,100
Spending / Student
$14,435
$14,450
Best Carlsbad School District Public Elementary Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Ocotillo Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2106 Captain Williams Ln
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 628-4498
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 628-4498
Gr: PK-5 | 621 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #22.
Monterrey Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1600 Johnson St
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3309
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3309
Gr: K-5 | 366 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #33.
Sunset Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
923 North Walter St
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3300
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3300
Gr: K-5 | 438 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #44.
Desert Willow Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2100 Primrose St
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3310
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3310
Gr: K-5 | 667 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #55.
Carlsbad Intermediate School - Pr Leyva Campus
(Math: 26% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
800 West Church St
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3300
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3300
Gr: 6-8 | 908 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #66.
Jefferson Montessori
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
101 South Canal St
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3300
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3300
Gr: K-12 | 215 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #77.
Cottonwood Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1609 W Lea Street
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3304
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3304
Gr: K-5 | 684 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #88.
Carlsbad Sixth Grade Academy - Alta Vista Campus
(Math: 17% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
301 South Alta Vista St
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3300
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3300
Gr: 6-8 | 740 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #99.
Carlsbad Enrichment Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
406 N. Alameda Street
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3300
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3300
Gr: 1-12 | 170 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
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