Top Rankings
Portales School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in New Mexico for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 6 public schools serving 2,610 students in Portales School District. This district's average testing ranking is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public schools in New Mexico.
Public Schools in Portales School District have an average math proficiency score of 29% (versus the New Mexico public school average of 25%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 34% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New Mexico public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NM)
# Schools
6 Schools
934 Schools
# Students
2,610 Students
318,852 Students
# Teachers
190 Teachers
22,087 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
District Rank
Portales School District, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 144 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 80-84% has increased from 74% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#53 out of 144 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
29%
24%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
35%
34%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
37%
33%
Graduation Rate
(20-21)80-84%
66%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.48
0.56
# American Indian Students
17 Students
38,282 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
12%
# Asian Students
15 Students
3,886 Students
% Asian Students
n/a
1%
# Hispanic Students
1,761 Students
198,720 Students
% Hispanic Students
67%
63%
# Black Students
42 Students
5,580 Students
% Black Students
2%
2%
# White Students
700 Students
64,638 Students
% White Students
27%
20%
# Hawaiian Students
3 Students
396 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
72 Students
7,350 Students
% of Two or more races Students
3%
2%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
132
10,550
# Students in K Grade:
179
20,432
# Students in 1st Grade:
200
21,626
# Students in 2nd Grade:
179
22,840
# Students in 3rd Grade:
178
22,147
# Students in 4th Grade:
211
22,719
# Students in 5th Grade:
166
23,267
# Students in 6th Grade:
150
23,365
# Students in 7th Grade:
192
23,755
# Students in 8th Grade:
216
24,354
# Students in 9th Grade:
204
29,625
# Students in 10th Grade:
207
27,491
# Students in 11th Grade:
199
24,570
# Students in 12th Grade:
197
22,111
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $13,630 in this school district is less than the state median of $14,547. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,421 is less than the state median of $13,920. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$36 MM
$4,694 MM
Spending
$35 MM
$4,492 MM
Revenue / Student
$13,630
$14,547
Spending / Student
$13,421
$13,920
Best Portales School District Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Lindsey-steiner Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1000 North Ave M
Portales, NM 88130
(575) 356-7060
Portales, NM 88130
(575) 356-7060
Grades: 5-6
| 382 students
Rank: #22.
Portales Jr High School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
700 East 3rd St
Portales, NM 88130
(575) 356-7045
Portales, NM 88130
(575) 356-7045
Grades: 7-8
| 347 students
Rank: #33.
Valencia Elementary School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1415 South Globe
Portales, NM 88130
(575) 356-7090
Portales, NM 88130
(575) 356-7090
Grades: 3-4
| 357 students
Rank: #44.
Portales High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
201 South Knoxville Ave
Portales, NM 88130
(575) 356-7015
Portales, NM 88130
(575) 356-7015
Grades: 9-12
| 798 students
Rank: n/an/a
520 West 5th St
Portales, NM 88130
(575) 356-7075
Portales, NM 88130
(575) 356-7075
Grades: PK-K
| 311 students
Rank: n/an/a
701 West 18th St
Portales, NM 88130
(575) 359-3675
Portales, NM 88130
(575) 359-3675
Grades: 1-2
| 375 students
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Portales School District?
Portales School District manages 6 public schools serving 2,610 students.
What is the rank of Portales School District?
Portales School District is ranked #58 out of 144 school districts in New Mexico (top 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of New Mexico school districts for: Highest graduation rate (Top 20%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Portales School District?
67% of Portales School District students are Hispanic, 27% of students are White, 3% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are Black, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Portales School District?
Portales School District has a student/teacher ratio of 14:1, which is equal to the New Mexico state average of 14:1.
What is Portales School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $13,421 is less than the state median of $13,920. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Recent Articles
Banishing the Phone-based Childhood
The article advocates for a dramatic cultural shift - delaying kids' smartphone ownership until high school and social media access until 16, promoting more free play, and fostering a healthier, screen-free childhood through collective action.
What is an Online High School
Find information about Online High Schools - what they are and how they work.
Personalized Learning: Revolutionizing Education for the 21st Century
Explore the revolutionary approach of Personalized Learning in K-12 education. This article discusses the benefits, challenges, and potential of tailoring education to individual student needs, incorporating technology and adaptive learning methods to prepare students for the 21st century.
