For the 2025 school year, there are 8 public middle schools serving 3,077 students in Lea County, NM.
The top ranked public middle schools in Lea County, NM are Tatum Jr High School, Houston Middle School and Highland Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lea County, NM public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 16% (versus the New Mexico public middle school average of 24%), and reading proficiency score of 30% (versus the 34% statewide average). Middle schools in Lea County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of New Mexico public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 82% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the New Mexico public middle school average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Lea County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Tatum Jr High School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
320 West 3rd Street
Tatum, NM 88267
(575) 398-4455
Tatum, NM 88267
(575) 398-4455
Grades: 7-8
| 61 students
Rank: #22.
Houston Middle School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
300 North Houston
Hobbs, NM 88240
(575) 433-1300
Hobbs, NM 88240
(575) 433-1300
Grades: 6-9
| 824 students
Rank: #33.
Highland Middle School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2500 North Jefferson
Hobbs, NM 88240
(575) 433-1200
Hobbs, NM 88240
(575) 433-1200
Grades: 6-8
| 812 students
Rank: #44.
Taylor Middle School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
700 South 11th St
Lovington, NM 88260
(575) 739-2435
Lovington, NM 88260
(575) 739-2435
Grades: 7-8
| 516 students
Rank: #55.
Heizer Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
101 East Stanolind Rd
Hobbs, NM 88240
(575) 433-1100
Hobbs, NM 88240
(575) 433-1100
Grades: 6-8
| 580 students
Rank: #66.
Caton Middle School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1109 16th Street
Eunice, NM 88231
(575) 394-3338
Eunice, NM 88231
(575) 394-3338
Grades: 6-8
| 163 students
Rank: #77.
Jal Jr High School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
100 Property Street
Jal, NM 88252
(575) 395-2101
Jal, NM 88252
(575) 395-2101
Grades: 6-8
| 118 students
Rank: n/an/a
Lae County Corrections
Alternative School
6900 West Millen Dr
Hobbs, NM 88240
(575) 392-4055
Hobbs, NM 88240
(575) 392-4055
Grades: 8-12
| 3 students
Lea County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Alternative High School (Closed 2007)
Alternative School
P.o. Box 1030
Hobbs, NM 88240
(505) 397-3241
Hobbs, NM 88240
(505) 397-3241
Grades: 9-12
| 108 students
2107 North Kingley Dr
Hobbs, NM 88240
(505) 433-0100
Hobbs, NM 88240
(505) 433-0100
Grades: PK
| 69 students
Lea Cy. Detention Cn High School (Closed 2007)
Alternative School
310 North Fifth St
Lovington, NM 88260
(505) 739-2200
Lovington, NM 88260
(505) 739-2200
Grades: 8-11
| 12 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public middle schools in Lea County, NM?
The top ranked public middle schools in Lea County, NM include Tatum Jr High School, Houston Middle School and Highland Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Lea County?
8 public middle schools are located in Lea County.
What is the racial composition of students in Lea County?
Lea County public middle schools minority enrollment is 82% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the New Mexico public middle schools average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Lea County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Lea County include: Houston Middle School vs. Highland Middle School, Highland Middle School vs. Houston Middle School, Heizer Middle School vs. Houston Middle School
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