For the 2025 school year, there are 13 public middle schools serving 5,796 students in Las Cruces, NM.
The top ranked public middle schools in Las Cruces, 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.
Las Cruces, 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 Las Cruces have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of New Mexico public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 81% 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 Las Cruces, NM (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.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: 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
Las Cruces, New Mexico Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
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
3600 Arrowhead Drive
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9540
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9540
Grades: 9-12
| n/a 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
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
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
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 Las Cruces, NM?
The top ranked public middle schools in Las Cruces, NM include White Sands Elementary School, J Paul Taylor Academy and Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy.
How many public middle schools are located in Las Cruces?
13 public middle schools are located in Las Cruces.
What is the racial composition of students in Las Cruces?
Las Cruces public middle schools minority enrollment is 81% 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 Las Cruces are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Las Cruces include: Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy vs. Mesa Middle School, La Academia Dolores Huerta vs. Lynn Middle School, Vista Middle School vs. White Sands Elementary School
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