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 14 public schools serving 7,217 students in Carlsbad School District. This district's average testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in New Mexico.
Public Schools in Carlsbad School District have an average math proficiency score of 25% (versus the New Mexico public school average of 25%), and reading proficiency score of 30% (versus the 34% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New Mexico public school average of 81% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NM)
# Schools
14 Schools
920 Schools
# Students
7,217 Students
310,878 Students
# Teachers
434 Teachers
22,985 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
0.56
% American Indian
1%
11%
% Asian
1%
1%
% Hispanic
68%
63%
% 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 Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Carlsbad Early College High School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1500 University Dr
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-9415
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-9415
Gr: 9-12 | 200 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
Carlsbad High School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3000 West Church
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3300
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3300
Gr: 9-12 | 1,685 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1111.
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%
Rank: n/an/a
1801 West Lea St.
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3300
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3300
Gr: PK-K | 207 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: n/an/a
1801 West Lea St.
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3303
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3303
Gr: PK | 316 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Carlsbad School District?
Carlsbad School District manages 14 public schools serving 7,217 students.
What is the rank of Carlsbad School District?
Carlsbad School District is ranked #74 out of 140 school districts in New Mexico (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of New Mexico school districts for: Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Carlsbad School District?
68% of Carlsbad School District students are Hispanic, 27% of students are White, 2% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are American Indian, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Carlsbad School District?
Carlsbad School District has a student/teacher ratio of 17:1, which is higher than the New Mexico state average of 13:1.
What is Carlsbad School District's spending/student ratio?
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.
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