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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Dona Ana County Public Middle Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 19 public middle schools serving 8,115 students in Dona Ana County, NM.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Dona Ana County, NM are White Sands Elementary School, J Paul Taylor Academy and Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Dona Ana County, NM public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 21% (versus the New Mexico public middle school average of 24%), and reading proficiency score of 32% (versus the 34% statewide average). Middle schools in Dona Ana County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of New Mexico public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 86% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the New Mexico public middle school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Middle Schools in Dona Ana County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
White Sands Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1 Viking St White Sands Missil
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 674-1241
Gr: PK-8 | 270 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #22.
J Paul Taylor Academy
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
402 W. Court Ave Bldg 2
Las Cruces, NM 88005
(575) 652-4006
Gr: K-8 | 200 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #33.
Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
950 South Walnut St
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-6059
Gr: 6-8 | 94 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #44.
Camino Real Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2961 Roadrunner Pkwy
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-6030
Gr: 6-8 | 933 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #55.
Explore Academy Las Cruces
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
850 N Telshor Blvd
Las Cruces, NM 88011
(575) 888-4476
Gr: K-11 | 599 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #66.
Sierra Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1700 E Spruce Ave
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9640
Gr: 6-8 | 698 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #77.
Santa Teresa Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
4800 Mcnutt Rd
Santa Teresa, NM 88008
(575) 882-6203
Gr: 7-8 | 528 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #88.
Gadsden Middle School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1301 West Washington
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Gr: 7-8 | 650 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #99.
Chaparral Middle School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
290 Lisa Dr
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Gr: 7-8 | 546 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1010.
Vista Middle School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
4465 Elks Dr
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9465
Gr: 6-8 | 574 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
La Academia Dolores Huerta
Charter School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
400 West Bell Ave
Las Cruces, NM 88005
(575) 527-5800
Gr: 6-8
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Mesa Middle School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
7225 Jornada Rd North
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9510
Gr: 6-8 | 728 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #1313.
Lynn Middle School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
950 South Walnut St
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9445
Gr: 6-8 | 507 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #1414.
Picacho Middle School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1040 North Motel Blvd
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9455
Gr: 6-8 | 698 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #1515.
Hatch Valley Middle School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
901 East Herrera
Hatch, NM 87937
(575) 267-8250
Gr: 6-8 | 253 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1616.
Zia Middle School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1300 West University Ave
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9475
Gr: 6-8 | 616 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #1717.
Desert Pride Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
100 Shrode Rd
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-0142
Gr: 7-12 | 221 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: n/an/a
Otero County Prison
Alternative School
10 Mcgregor Range Rd
Chaparral, NM 88081
(575) 824-4884
Gr: 8-12 | 2 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: n/an/a
Southern Nm Corrections
Alternative School
1983 Joe R Silva Blvd
Las Cruces, NM 88004
(575) 523-3200
Gr: 8-12 | 2 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Dona Ana County, NM?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Dona Ana County, NM include White Sands Elementary School, J Paul Taylor Academy and Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy.
How many public middle schools are located in Dona Ana County?
19 public middle schools are located in Dona Ana County.
What is the racial composition of students in Dona Ana County?
Dona Ana County public middle schools minority enrollment is 86% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the New Mexico public middle schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Dona Ana County are often viewed compared to one another?

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