Belen School District

520 North Main St
Belen, NM 87002
(District boundaries shown in map)
5/
10
Bottom 50%

Top Rankings

Belen 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 6 public preschools serving 1,836 students in Belen School District. This district's average pre testing ranking is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public pre schools in New Mexico.
Public Preschools in Belen School District have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the New Mexico public pre school average of 24%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 32% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the New Mexico public preschool average of 82% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (NM)
# Schools
11 Schools
328 Schools
# Students
3,818 Students
100,004 Students
# Teachers
243 Teachers
7,717 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1

District Rank

Belen 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 75% has increased from 64% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (NM)
#78 out of 144 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
This chart displays the overall district rank of Belen  School District, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
26%
24%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Belen  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of New Mexico by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
29%
34%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Belen  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of New Mexico by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
25%
33%
(20-21)
75%
66%
This chart displays public school graduation rate of Belen  School District and public school graduation rate of New Mexico by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.36
0.51
# American Indian Students
77 Students
10,001 Students
% American Indian Students
2%
10%
# Asian Students
9 Students
1,228 Students
% Asian Students
n/a
1%
# Hispanic Students
2,992 Students
67,091 Students
% Hispanic Students
78%
67%
# Black Students
38 Students
1,821 Students
% Black Students
1%
2%
# White Students
678 Students
17,705 Students
% White Students
18%
18%
# Hawaiian Students
n/a
109 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
24 Students
2,049 Students
% of Two or more races Students
1%
2%

Students by Grade:

# Students in PK Grade:
73
10,488
# Students in K Grade:
304
14,016
# Students in 1st Grade:
294
13,701
# Students in 2nd Grade:
337
14,040
# Students in 3rd Grade:
304
13,032
# Students in 4th Grade:
274
12,866
# Students in 5th Grade:
273
12,944
# Students in 6th Grade:
248
3,498
# Students in 7th Grade:
299
1,017
# Students in 8th Grade:
245
1,002
# Students in 9th Grade:
330
1,137
# Students in 10th Grade:
308
926
# Students in 11th Grade:
280
693
# Students in 12th Grade:
249
644
# Ungraded Students:
-
-

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $14,530 in this school district is less than the state median of $14,757. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $11,522 is less than the state median of $14,122. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
This School District
This State (NM)
Total Revenue
$56 MM
$4,694 MM
This chart displays total revenue of Belen  School District and median value from total revenues of all school districts in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending
$44 MM
$4,492 MM
This chart displays total spending of Belen  School District and median value from total spendings of all school districts in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Revenue / Student
$14,530
$14,757
This chart displays average revenue per public school student in Belen  School District and average revenue per public school student of all school districts in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending / Student
$11,522
$14,122
This chart displays average spending per public school student in Belen  School District and average spending per public school student of all school districts in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Best Belen School District Public Preschools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Gil Sanchez Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
376 Jarales Rd
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-1900
Grades: PK-6
| 304 students
Rank: #22.
Rio Grande Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
15 Eastside School Rd
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-2200
Grades: PK-6
| 359 students
Rank: #33.
Dennis Chavez Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
19670 Hwy 314
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-1800
Grades: PK-6
| 281 students
Rank: #44.
La Merced Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
301 Alame Loop
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-2100
Grades: PK-6
| 433 students
Rank: #55.
Jaramillo Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
900 Esperanza Dr
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-2001
Grades: PK-3
| 254 students
Rank: #66.
La Promesa Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
898 Hwy 304
Belen, NM 87002
(505) 966-2400
Grades: PK-6
| 205 students

Recent Articles

Sexual Harassment at Age 6: The Tale of a First Grade Suspension
Sexual Harassment at Age 6: The Tale of a First Grade Suspension
A six-year old in Aurora, Colorado, was suspended after singing an LMFAO song to a little girl in his class and reportedly “shaking his booty.” We look at the case and the sexual harassment problem in public schools today.
How Scaffolding Could Change the Way Your Child Learns
How Scaffolding Could Change the Way Your Child Learns
This article explores the concept of instructional scaffolding, a teaching method that enhances learning by breaking down complex tasks into manageable parts. It highlights how scaffolding supports students in developing critical thinking skills and becoming more independent learners. The article discusses the benefits of scaffolding, including improved engagement and reduced anxiety, and provides strategies for its implementation across various educational levels.
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
We explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.

Quick Stats (2025)

  • District size: 11 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 3,818 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 16:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 82%
  • : 75% (Top 50% in NM)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 26% (Top 50%)
  • : 29% (Btm 50%)
  • : 25% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NM Dept. of Education

Quick Links