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 2025 school year, there are 11 public elementary schools serving 6,893 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 24% (versus the New Mexico public elementary school average of 26%), and reading proficiency score of 32% (versus the 34% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New Mexico public elementary school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NM)
# Schools
15 Schools
667 Schools
# Students
9,218 Students
210,405 Students
# Teachers
472 Teachers
15,329 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
20:1
20:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Carlsbad School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 143 school districts in New Mexico (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 67% has decreased from 75% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#71 out of 144 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
23%
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
0.51
0.57
% American Indian
1%
12%
% Asian
1%
1%
% Hispanic
63%
61%
% Black
2%
2%
% White
32%
21%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
1%
3%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $15,432 is higher than the state median of $14,756. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $11,301 is less than the state median of $14,121. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$142 MM
$4,694 MM
Spending
$104 MM
$4,492 MM
Revenue / Student
$15,432
$14,756
Spending / Student
$11,301
$14,121
Best Carlsbad School District Public Elementary Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Ocotillo Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2106 Captain Williams Ln
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 628-4498
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 628-4498
Grades: K-5
| 711 students
Rank: #22.
Monterrey Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1600 Johnson St
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3309
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3309
Grades: K-5
| 345 students
Rank: #33.
Sunset Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
923 North Walter St
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3300
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3300
Grades: K-5
| 419 students
Rank: #44.
Pecos Connections Academy
(Math: 24% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1503 West Pierce Street
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 236-4005
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 236-4005
Grades: K-12
| 1,887 students
Rank: #55.
Desert Willow Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2100 Primrose St
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3310
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3310
Grades: K-5
| 820 students
Rank: #66.
Jefferson Montessori
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
101 South Canal St
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3300
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3300
Grades: K-12
| 258 students
Rank: #77.
Carlsbad Intermediate School - Pr Leyva Campus
(Math: 18% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
800 West Church St
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3300
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3300
Grades: 6-8
| 834 students
Rank: #88.
Carlsbad Sixth Grade Academy - Alta Vista Campus
(Math: 21% | 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
Grades: 6-8
| 714 students
Rank: #99.
Cottonwood Elementary School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1609 W Lea Street
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3304
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-3304
Grades: K-5
| 671 students
Rank: #1010.
Carlsbad Enrichment Center
Alternative School
(Math: 10-14% | 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
Grades: 1-12
| 234 students
Rank: n/an/a
406 N. Alameda Street
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 628-4498
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 628-4498
Grades: 1-5
| n/a students
Recent Articles
Segregation in K-12 Education: Colonial Era
Explore the origins of educational segregation during the colonial era and the differential treatment of Native American, African American, and white students. This article delves into the historical context, policies, and societal attitudes that shaped early education in colonial America, highlighting the disparities and injustices that persisted within the schooling systems of that time.
2011 Classroom Size Update: Are Classes Still Growing Larger?
Since the recession, public school classrooms have seen major budget cuts - and many increases in class sizes. How is the situation in 2011? Read this article to find out.
Will Single Sex Classrooms Save Public Schools?
Learn about the benefits of single sex classrooms and why public schools are hoping this type of classroom will save the American school system.
