Best Dona Ana County Public Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 43 public preschools serving 15,288 students in Dona Ana County, NM.
The top-ranked public preschools in Dona Ana County, NM are White Sands Elementary School, Desert Hills Elementary School and Sonoma Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Dona Ana County, NM public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 29% (versus the New Mexico public pre school average of 26%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 32% statewide average). Pre schools in Dona Ana County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of New Mexico public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 89% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the New Mexico public preschool average of 84% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Preschools 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.
Desert Hills Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
280 North Roadrunner Pkwy
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9619
Gr: PK-5 | 502 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #33.
Sonoma Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4201 Northrise Dr
Las Cruces, NM 88011
(575) 541-7320
Gr: PK-5 | 660 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #44.
Anthony Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
609 Church St
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Gr: PK-6 | 163 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #55.
University Hills Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2005 South Locust St
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9649
Gr: PK-5 | 363 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #66.
Monte Vista Elementary School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4675 Peachtree Hills
Las Cruces, NM 88012
(575) 527-9490
Gr: PK-5 | 706 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #77.
Tombaugh Elementary School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
226 Carver Rd
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9575
Gr: PK-5 | 565 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #88.
La Union Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
875 Mercantile
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Gr: PK-6 | 340 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #99.
Highland Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4201 Emerald St
Las Cruces, NM 88012
(575) 527-9636
Gr: PK-5 | 704 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #1010.
Gadsden Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1440 Hwy 478
Sunland Park, NM 88063
(575) 882-3050
Gr: PK-6 | 379 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1111.
Desert View Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1105 Valle Vista Dr
Sunland Park, NM 88063
(575) 882-6203
Gr: PK-6 | 524 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1212.
Santa Teresa Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
201 Commerciantes
Santa Teresa, NM 88008
(575) 882-6203
Gr: PK-6 | 484 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1313.
Hillrise Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1400 South Curnutt St
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9666
Gr: PK-5 | 421 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Loma Linda Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1451 Donaldson Ave
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Gr: PK-6 | 398 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Mesilla Park Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
955 West Union Ave
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9615
Gr: PK-5 | 311 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #1616.
East Picacho Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
4450 North Valley Dr
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9516
Gr: PK-5 | 460 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1717.
Jornada Elementary School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3400 Elks Dr
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9536
Gr: PK-5 | 429 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #1818.
Desert Trail Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
290 East Lisa
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Gr: PK-6 | 479 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Conlee Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1701 Boston Dr
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9656
Gr: PK-5 | 417 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Dona Ana Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
5551 Camino De Flores
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9506
Gr: PK-5 | 372 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #2121.
Mesilla Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2363 Calle Del Sur
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9566
Gr: PK-5 | 324 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #2222.
Chaparral Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
300 Lisa Dr
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Gr: PK-6 | 437 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #2323.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
150 North Alameda Blvd
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9496
Gr: PK-5 | 182 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #2424.
Garfield Elementary School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 20-24% )
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
8820 Hwy 187
Garfield, NM 87936
(575) 267-8280
Gr: PK-2 | 96 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #2525.
Loma Heights Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1600 East Madrid
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9546
Gr: PK-5 | 450 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #2626.
North Valley Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
300 Cascade Ave
San Miguel, NM 88058
(575) 882-6203
Gr: PK-6 | 338 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2727.
Riverside Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
4085 Mcnutt Rd
Sunland Park, NM 88063
(575) 882-6203
Gr: PK-6 | 550 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2828.
Sunrise Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1000 County Line Dr
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Gr: PK-6 | 406 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2929.
Vado Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
330 Holguin Rd
Vado, NM 88072
(575) 882-6203
Gr: PK-6 | 415 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3030.
Mac Arthur Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
655 N 4th St
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9556
Gr: PK-5 | 335 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #31 - 3231. - 32.
Columbia Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
4555 Elks Dr
Las Cruces, NM 88005
(575) 527-1561
Gr: PK-5 | 182 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #31 - 3231. - 32.
Hermosa Heights Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1655 East Amador Ave
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9530
Gr: PK-5 | 408 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #3333.
Fairacres Elementary School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
4501 West Picacho Ave
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9606
Gr: PK-5 | 405 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #3434.
Valley View Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
915 E California Ave
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9586
Gr: PK-5 | 343 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #3535.
Berino Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
455 Shrode Rd
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Gr: PK-6 | 300 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Show 8 more public schools in Dona Ana County, NM (out of 43 total schools)
Loading...

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public preschools in Dona Ana County, NM?
The top-ranked public preschools in Dona Ana County, NM include White Sands Elementary School, Desert Hills Elementary School and Sonoma Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Dona Ana County?
41 public preschools are located in Dona Ana County.
What is the racial composition of students in Dona Ana County?
Dona Ana County public preschools minority enrollment is 89% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the New Mexico public preschools average of 84% (majority Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Dona Ana County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.