Top 10 Best Dona Ana County Public Elementary Schools (2024-25)

For the 2024-25 school year, there are 57 public elementary schools serving 23,518 students in Dona Ana County, NM.
The top ranked public elementary schools in Dona Ana County, NM are White Sands Elementary School, J Paul Taylor Academy and Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Dona Ana County, NM public elementary schools 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). Elementary schools in Dona Ana County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of New Mexico public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 88% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the New Mexico public elementary school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Elementary Schools in Dona Ana County (2024-25)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
White Sands Elementary School
Magnet 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
Grades: PK-8
| 275 students
Rank: #22.
J Paul Taylor Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
402 W. Court Ave Bldg 2
Las Cruces, NM 88005
(575) 652-4006
Grades: K-8
| 198 students
Rank: #33.
Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy
Alternative School
Magnet School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
950 South Walnut St
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-6059
Grades: 6-8
| 100 students
Rank: #44.
Sonoma Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4201 Northrise Dr
Las Cruces, NM 88011
(575) 541-7320
Grades: PK-5
| 748 students
Rank: #55.
Desert Hills Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
280 North Roadrunner Pkwy
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9619
Grades: PK-5
| 559 students
Rank: #66.
Explore Academy Las Cruces
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
850 N Telshor Blvd
Las Cruces, NM 88011
(575) 888-4476
Grades: 6-9
| 189 students
Rank: #77.
Highland Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4201 Emerald St
Las Cruces, NM 88012
(575) 527-9636
Grades: PK-5
| 744 students
Rank: #88.
Gadsden Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1440 Hwy 478
Sunland Park, NM 88063
(575) 882-3050
Grades: PK-6
| 419 students
Rank: #99.
La Union Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
875 Mercantile
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Grades: PK-6
| 366 students
Rank: #1010.
Monte Vista Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4675 Peachtree Hills
Las Cruces, NM 88012
(575) 527-9490
Grades: PK-5
| 718 students
Rank: #1111.
Tombaugh Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
226 Carver Rd
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9575
Grades: PK-5
| 585 students
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Mesilla Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2363 Calle Del Sur
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9566
Grades: PK-5
| 275 students
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
University Hills Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2005 South Locust St
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9649
Grades: PK-5
| 358 students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Anthony Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
609 Church St
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Grades: PK-6
| 324 students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Mesquite Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
205 Nm Hwy 228
Mesquite, NM 88048
(575) 882-6203
Grades: PK-6
| 235 students
Rank: #1616.
Desert View Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1105 Valle Vista Dr
Sunland Park, NM 88063
(575) 882-6203
Grades: K-6
| 400 students
Rank: #1717.
Jornada Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3400 Elks Dr
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9536
Grades: PK-5
| 490 students
Rank: #1818.
Santa Teresa Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
201 Commerciantes
Santa Teresa, NM 88008
(575) 882-6203
Grades: PK-6
| 501 students
Rank: #1919.
Camino Real Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2961 Roadrunner Pkwy
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-6030
Grades: 6-8
| 965 students
Rank: #2020.
Mesilla Park Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
955 West Union Ave
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9615
Grades: PK-5
| 353 students
Rank: #2121.
East Picacho Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
4450 North Valley Dr
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9516
Grades: PK-5
| 495 students
Rank: #2222.
Desert Trail Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
290 East Lisa
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Grades: K-6
| 496 students
Rank: #2323.
Chaparral Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
300 Lisa Dr
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Grades: PK-6
| 420 students
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
Dona Ana Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
5551 Camino De Flores
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9506
Grades: PK-5
| 399 students
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
Loma Linda Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1451 Donaldson Ave
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Grades: K-6
| 297 students
Rank: #2626.
Sierra Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1700 E Spruce Ave
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9640
Grades: 6-8
| 799 students
Rank: #2727.
Hillrise Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1400 South Curnutt St
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9666
Grades: PK-5
| 446 students
Rank: #2828.
Central Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
150 North Alameda Blvd
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9496
Grades: PK-5
| 163 students
Rank: #2929.
Garfield Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 20-24% )
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
8820 Hwy 187
Garfield, NM 87936
(575) 267-8280
Grades: PK-2
| 96 students
Rank: #3030.
Sunrise Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1000 County Line Dr
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Grades: PK-6
| 453 students
Rank: #3131.
Sunland Park Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
305 Alto Vista
Sunland Park, NM 88063
(575) 882-6203
Grades: PK-6
| 225 students
Rank: #3232.
Loma Heights Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1600 East Madrid
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9546
Grades: PK-5
| 505 students
Rank: #3333.
Mesa Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
7225 Jornada Rd North
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9510
Grades: 6-8
| 803 students
Rank: #3434.
Raices Del Saber Xinachtli Community
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2211 North Valley Drive
Las Cruces, NM 88007
(575) 571-2177
Grades: K-4
| 114 students
Rank: #3535.
North Valley Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
300 Cascade Ave
San Miguel, NM 88058
(575) 882-6203
Grades: PK-6
| 265 students
Show 22 more public schools in Dona Ana County, NM (out of 57 total schools)
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[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Dona Ana County, NM

Dona Ana County Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Grades
Students
P.o. Box 790
Hatch, NM 87937
(505) 267-8225
Grades: 9-12
| 34 students
P.o. Box 7027
Las Cruces, NM 88006
(505) 541-0145
Grades: 9-12
| 163 students
129 Tawa
Anthony, NM 88021
(505) 882-3531
Grades: PK
| 13 students
P.o. Drawer 70
Anthony, NM 88021
(505) 882-3531
Grades: PK
| 7 students
780 Landers Rd
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 885-0600
Grades: 7-12
| 95 students
P.o. Drawer 70
Anthony, NM 88021
(505) 882-1904
Grades: PK
| 14 students
505 S Main,suite 249
Dona Ana, NM 88032
(505) 527-5807
Grades: PK
| 17 students
Dona Ana Jdc (Closed 2007)
Alternative School
505 S Main,suite 249
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(505) 527-5800
Grades: 6-12
| 43 students
505 S Main,suite 249
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(505) 537-5807
Grades: PK-5
| 642 students
P.o. Box 790
Hatch, NM 87937
(505) 267-8200
Grades: PK
| 5 students
5340 Mcnutt Rd
Santa Teresa, NM 88008
(555) 555-5555
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
505 S Main,suite249
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(505) 527-5807
Grades: PK-9
| 6 students
1325 W. Washington
Anthony, NM 88021
(505) 882-6203
Grades: PK-12
| 7 students
P.o. Box 67
La Mesa, NM 88044
(505) 233-3475
Grades: PK-6
| 309 students
505 S Main,suite 249
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(505) 523-5860
Grades: 7-8
| 31 students
Mesilla Valley Rtc (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
505 S Main,suite 249
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(505) 527-5972
Grades: 6-11
| 64 students
Rtc-residental Tr Ct (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
5050-b Mcnutt Road
White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002
(505) 882-6236
Grades: 1-12
| 92 students
505 S Main,suite 249
Mesilla, NM 88046
(505) 526-2125
Grades: 9-12
| 200 students
P.o. Box C
San Miguel, NM 88058
(505) 233-3236
Grades: PK-6
| 374 students
1 Viking St Wsmr
White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002
(505) 527-5800
Grades: 6-8
| 112 students
505 S Main,suite 249
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(505) 525-3166
Grades: 6-8
| 914 students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public elementary schools in Dona Ana County, NM?
The top ranked public elementary schools in Dona Ana County, NM include White Sands Elementary School, J Paul Taylor Academy and Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy.
How many public elementary schools are located in Dona Ana County?
57 public elementary schools are located in Dona Ana County.
What is the racial composition of students in Dona Ana County?
Dona Ana County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 88% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the New Mexico public elementary schools average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Dona Ana County are often viewed compared to one another?

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