Best High Schools
in Albuquerque, New Mexico
We ranked all 49 high schools in Albuquerque. The top 25 scored between 6.5 and 8.6 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and New Mexico education data
Albuquerque's 43 ranked high schools span a wide range of performance, with an average composite score of 6.3 out of 10 and a clear tier of standouts pulling well above that mark. New Mexico Academy for the Media Arts leads the metro at 8.6, followed closely by Sandia High at 8.4 and Albuquerque High at 8.3. Fourteen schools — roughly a third of the field — score 7 or higher, giving families a meaningful pool of strong options to compare. The table below lets you sort by overall score, academics, or other factors to find the right fit. Charter schools appear alongside traditional public schools in the rankings; Amy Biehl Charter High and New Futures High both crack the top five. Use the filters to narrow by school type, size, or location and see how each program stacks up against the rest of the metro.
NEW MEXICO ACADEMY FOR THE MEDIA ARTS
SANDIA HIGH
ALBUQUERQUE HIGH
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Albuquerque's High Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%) measures standardized test performance in math and reading. Student Growth (20%) tracks improvement over time. Equity (15%) evaluates how well a school serves all student groups. Environment (15%) considers class size, spending, and attendance. All scores are computed within New Mexico so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 25 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | NEW MEXICO ACADEMY FOR THE MEDIA ARTS Charter NEW MEXICO ACADEMY FOR THE MEDIA ARTS | 8.6 |
| 2 | SANDIA HIGH ALBUQUERQUE | 8.4 |
| 3 | ALBUQUERQUE HIGH ALBUQUERQUE | 8.3 |
| 4 | AMY BIEHL CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL Charter AMY BIEHL CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL | 8.1 |
| 5 | NEW FUTURES HIGH SCHOOL ALBUQUERQUE | 8.0 |
| 6 | LA CUEVA HIGH ALBUQUERQUE | 8.0 |
| 7 | FREEDOM HIGH ALBUQUERQUE | 7.9 |
| 8 | SCHOOL ON WHEELS HIGH SCHOOL ALBUQUERQUE | 7.9 |
| 9 | AZTEC YOUTH ACADEMY JUVENILE JUSTICE | 7.7 |
| 10 | FOOTHILL HIGH SCHOOL JUVENILE JUSTICE | 7.7 |
| 11 | VOLCANO VISTA HIGH ALBUQUERQUE | 7.6 |
| 12 | ALBUQUERQUE INSTITUTE OF MATH & SCIENCE Charter ALBUQUERQUE INSTITUTE OF MATH & SCIENCE | 7.4 |
| 13 | SANDIA PREPARATORY SCHOOL | 7.4 |
| 14 | BOSQUE SCHOOL | 7.3 |
| 15 | TIERRA ADENTRO Charter TIERRA ADENTRO | 7.1 |
| 16 | ALBUQUERQUE ACADEMY | 7.1 |
| 17 | NEX GEN ACADEMY ALBUQUERQUE | 7.0 |
| 18 | CIBOLA HIGH ALBUQUERQUE | 6.9 |
| 19 | ATRISCO HERITAGE ACADEMY HS ALBUQUERQUE | 6.8 |
| 20 | WEST MESA HIGH ALBUQUERQUE | 6.6 |
| 21 | EARLY COLLEGE ACADEMY ALBUQUERQUE | 6.6 |
| 22 | GILBERT L SENA CHARTER HS Charter ALBUQUERQUE | 6.5 |
| 23 | SW AERONAUTICS MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE ACADEMY Charter SW AERONAUTICS MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE ACADEMY | 6.5 |
| 24 | ST PIUS X HIGH SCHOOL | 6.5 |
| 25 | HOPE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL-HIGH | 6.5 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and New Mexico education department. Rankings are relative to all public high schools in New Mexico. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 High Schools in Albuquerque
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Albuquerque's Top 10 High Schools
Choosing the Right High School in Albuquerque
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Albuquerque's high school landscape is one of the most diverse in New Mexico, with 49 schools spanning 28 school districts, plus 24 charter schools offering alternative approaches.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best high school in Albuquerque, New Mexico?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, NEW MEXICO ACADEMY FOR THE MEDIA ARTS is the top-rated high school in Albuquerque with a composite score of 8.6/10. The score is based on academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment.
How many high schools are in Albuquerque, New Mexico?
Albuquerque has 49 high schools, including 24 charter schools. Of these, 48 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in Albuquerque?
The average composite score for Albuquerque high schools is 6.4/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in New Mexico).
How does MySchoolScout rate high schools?
Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and School Environment (15%). All scores are computed within New Mexico, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in New Mexico, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Albuquerque high school rankings?
Yes. Albuquerque has 24 charter high schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.