James Elementary School

701 West 18th St
Portales, NM 88130
(School attendance zone shown in map)
James Elementary School serves 379 students in grades 1-2. 
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 54% (which is higher than the New Mexico state average of 43%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 61% (which is higher than the New Mexico state average of 53%).
The student:teacher ratio of 12:1 is lower than the New Mexico state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the New Mexico state average of 79% (majority Hispanic).

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: 1-2
  • Enrollment: 379 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 12:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 74%
  • : 54%
  • : 61%
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NM Dept. of Education

School Overview

James Elementary School's student population of 379 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 31 teachers has grown by 10% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 1-2
Total Students
379 students
This chart displays total students of James Elementary School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Gender %
This chart displays gender of James Elementary School
Total Classroom Teachers
31 teachers
This chart displays the total teachers of James Elementary School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of James Elementary School by grade.

School Rankings

The diversity score of James Elementary School is 0.46, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.56. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (NM)
(09-10)
54%
43%
(09-10)
61%
53%
Student : Teacher Ratio
12:1
14:1
This chart displays the student teacher ratio of James Elementary School and the public school average student teacher ratio of New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
American Indian
1%
12%
This chart displays the percentage of American Indian students in James Elementary School and percentage of American Indian public school students in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Asian
1%
1%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in James Elementary School and the percentage of Asian public school students in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hispanic
69%
62%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in James Elementary School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Black
1%
2%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in James Elementary School and the percentage of Black public school students in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
White
26%
21%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in James Elementary School and the percentage of White public school students in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
2%
2%
This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in James Elementary School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
All Ethnic Groups
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in James Elementary School.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in New Mexico.
0.46
This chart displays the diversity score of James Elementary School and the public school average diversity score of New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
62%
75%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in James Elementary School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (21-22)
7%
1%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in James Elementary School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NM Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
54% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 43% NM state average), while 61% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 53% NM state average).
How many students attend James Elementary School?
379 students attend James Elementary School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
69% of James Elementary School students are Hispanic, 26% 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 James Elementary School?
James Elementary School has a student ration of 12:1, which is lower than the New Mexico state average of 14:1.
What grades does James Elementary School offer ?
James Elementary School offers enrollment in grades 1-2
What school district is James Elementary School part of?
James Elementary School is part of Portales Municipal Schools School District.

School Reviews

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: 1-2
  • Enrollment: 379 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 12:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 74%
  • : 54%
  • : 61%
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NM Dept. of Education

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