For the 2025 school year, there are 19 public middle schools serving 8,115 students in Dona Ana County, NM.
The top ranked public middle 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 middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 22% (versus the New Mexico public middle school average of 24%), and reading proficiency score of 32% (versus the 34% statewide average). Middle schools in Dona Ana County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of New Mexico public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 86% 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 Dona Ana County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
White Sands Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1 Viking St White Sands Missil
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 674-1241
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 674-1241
Grades: PK-8
| 283 students
Rank: #22.
J Paul Taylor Academy
Charter School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
402 W. Court Ave Bldg 2
Las Cruces, NM 88005
(575) 652-4006
Las Cruces, NM 88005
(575) 652-4006
Grades: K-8
| 200 students
Rank: #33.
Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
950 South Walnut St
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-6059
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-6059
Grades: 6-8
| 99 students
Rank: #44.
Explore Academy Las Cruces
Charter School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
850 N Telshor Blvd
Las Cruces, NM 88011
(575) 888-4476
Las Cruces, NM 88011
(575) 888-4476
Grades: 4-10
| 343 students
Rank: #55.
Santa Teresa Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4800 Mcnutt Rd
Santa Teresa, NM 88008
(575) 882-6203
Santa Teresa, NM 88008
(575) 882-6203
Grades: 7-8
| 602 students
Rank: #66.
Camino Real Middle School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2961 Roadrunner Pkwy
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-6030
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-6030
Grades: 6-8
| 928 students
Rank: #77.
Sierra Middle School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1700 E Spruce Ave
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9640
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9640
Grades: 6-8
| 752 students
Rank: #88.
Gadsden Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1301 West Washington
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Grades: 7-8
| 658 students
Rank: #99.
Mesa Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
7225 Jornada Rd North
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9510
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9510
Grades: 6-8
| 718 students
Rank: #1010.
Chaparral Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
290 Lisa Dr
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Grades: 7-8
| 545 students
Rank: #1111.
Vista Middle School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
4465 Elks Dr
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9465
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9465
Grades: 6-8
| 581 students
Rank: #1212.
Hatch Valley Middle School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
901 East Herrera
Hatch, NM 87937
(575) 267-8250
Hatch, NM 87937
(575) 267-8250
Grades: 6-8
| 274 students
Rank: #1313.
La Academia Dolores Huerta
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
400 West Bell Ave
Las Cruces, NM 88005
(575) 527-5800
Las Cruces, NM 88005
(575) 527-5800
Grades: 6-8
| 68 students
Rank: #1414.
Lynn Middle School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
950 South Walnut St
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9445
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9445
Grades: 6-8
| 513 students
Rank: #1515.
Picacho Middle School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1040 North Motel Blvd
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9455
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9455
Grades: 6-8
| 684 students
Rank: #1616.
Zia Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1300 West University Ave
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9475
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9475
Grades: 6-8
| 626 students
Rank: #1717.
Desert Pride Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
100 Shrode Rd
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-0142
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-0142
Grades: 7-12
| 240 students
Rank: n/an/a
Otero County Prison
Alternative School
10 Mcgregor Range Rd
Chaparral, NM 88081
(575) 824-4884
Chaparral, NM 88081
(575) 824-4884
Grades: 8-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Southern Nm Corrections
Alternative School
1983 Joe R Silva Blvd
Las Cruces, NM 88004
(575) 523-3200
Las Cruces, NM 88004
(575) 523-3200
Grades: 8-12
| 1 students
Dona Ana County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Ace Alternative Complex Edu High School (Closed 2007)
Alternative School
P.o. Box 790
Hatch, NM 87937
(505) 267-8225
Hatch, NM 87937
(505) 267-8225
Grades: 9-12
| 34 students
Alma D'arte Charter (Closed 2023)
Charter School
P.o. Box 7027
Las Cruces, NM 88006
(505) 541-0145
Las Cruces, NM 88006
(505) 541-0145
Grades: 9-12
| 163 students
Alma De Valle Elementary School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
129 Tawa
Anthony, NM 88021
(505) 882-3531
Anthony, NM 88021
(505) 882-3531
Grades: PK
| 13 students
P.o. Drawer 70
Anthony, NM 88021
(505) 882-3531
Anthony, NM 88021
(505) 882-3531
Grades: PK
| 7 students
Anthony Charter School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
780 Landers Rd
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 885-0600
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 885-0600
Grades: 7-12
| 95 students
Anthony Child Dev. Elementary School (Closed 2004)
Special Education School
P.o. Drawer 70
Anthony, NM 88021
(505) 882-1904
Anthony, NM 88021
(505) 882-1904
Grades: PK
| 14 students
3600 Arrowhead Drive
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9540
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9540
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
505 S Main,suite 249
Dona Ana, NM 88032
(505) 527-5807
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
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(505) 527-5800
Grades: 6-12
| 43 students
505 S Main,suite 249
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(505) 537-5807
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(505) 537-5807
Grades: PK-5
| 642 students
P.o. Box 790
Hatch, NM 87937
(505) 267-8200
Hatch, NM 87937
(505) 267-8200
Grades: PK
| 5 students
5340 Mcnutt Rd
Santa Teresa, NM 88008
(555) 555-5555
Santa Teresa, NM 88008
(555) 555-5555
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Homeboundhospital (Closed 2004)
Alternative School
505 S Main,suite249
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(505) 527-5807
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(505) 527-5807
Grades: PK-9
| 6 students
Homeboundhospital (Closed 2007)
Alternative School
1325 W. Washington
Anthony, NM 88021
(505) 882-6203
Anthony, NM 88021
(505) 882-6203
Grades: PK-12
| 7 students
P.o. Box 67
La Mesa, NM 88044
(505) 233-3475
La Mesa, NM 88044
(505) 233-3475
Grades: PK-6
| 309 students
Mesilla Alt. Program Middle School (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
505 S Main,suite 249
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(505) 523-5860
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
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(505) 527-5972
Grades: 6-11
| 64 students
205 Nm Hwy 228
Mesquite, NM 88048
(575) 882-6203
Mesquite, NM 88048
(575) 882-6203
Grades: PK-6
| n/a students
Rtc-residental Tr Ct (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
5050-b Mcnutt Road
White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002
(505) 882-6236
White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002
(505) 882-6236
Grades: 1-12
| 92 students
San Andres High School (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
505 S Main,suite 249
Mesilla, NM 88046
(505) 526-2125
Mesilla, NM 88046
(505) 526-2125
Grades: 9-12
| 200 students
P.o. Box C
San Miguel, NM 88058
(505) 233-3236
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
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
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(505) 525-3166
Grades: 6-8
| 914 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public middle schools in Dona Ana County, NM?
The top ranked public middle schools in Dona Ana County, NM include White Sands Elementary School, J Paul Taylor Academy and Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy.
How many public middle schools are located in Dona Ana County?
19 public middle schools are located in Dona Ana County.
What is the racial composition of students in Dona Ana County?
Dona Ana County public middle schools minority enrollment is 86% 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 Dona Ana County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Dona Ana County include: Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy vs. Mesa Middle School, Chaparral Middle School vs. Camino Real Middle School, Southern Nm Corrections vs. Santa Teresa Middle School
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