Best High Schools
in Albuquerque, New Mexico
We ranked the 48 high schools in Albuquerque with real test data. The top 25 scored between 6.3 and 8.8 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and New Mexico education data
The short answer
The top-rated high schools in Albuquerque for 2026 are Nex Gen Academy (8.8/10), New Mexico Academy for the Media Arts (8.7/10), and Early College Academy (8.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 48 rated high schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing a high school in Albuquerque?
Every high school in Albuquerque is scored 1–10 on the same four measures. Use the ranking to build a shortlist, then weigh the tradeoffs a single score can't capture.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Nex Gen Academy
Albuquerque, NM. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
New Mexico Academy for the Media Arts
Albuquerque, NM. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Early College Academy
Albuquerque, NM. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
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.
Nex Gen Academy
New Mexico Academy for the Media Arts
Early College Academy
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 with weights that vary by school level: Student Growth tracks improvement over time and counts most in elementary and middle grades. Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement measures standardized test performance in math and reading against socioeconomic expectations. Environment considers class size, spending, and attendance. College Readiness joins the composite for high schools. Equity data is shown for context but is not factored into the score. All scores are computed within New Mexico so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
Top 25 of 48 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nex Gen Academy ALBUQUERQUE | 8.8 |
| 2 | New Mexico Academy for the Media Arts Charter NEW MEXICO ACADEMY FOR THE MEDIA ARTS | 8.7 |
| 3 | Early College Academy ALBUQUERQUE | 8.4 |
| 4 | Albuquerque Institute of Math & Science Charter ALBUQUERQUE INSTITUTE OF MATH & SCIENCE | 8.4 |
| 5 | School on Wheels High School ALBUQUERQUE | 8.3 |
| 6 | Sandia High ALBUQUERQUE | 8.1 |
| 7 | Public Academy for Performing Arts Charter ALBUQUERQUE | 8.1 |
| 8 | La Cueva High ALBUQUERQUE | 8.0 |
| 9 | Amy Biehl Charter High School Charter AMY BIEHL CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL | 7.9 |
| 10 | Albuquerque High ALBUQUERQUE | 7.6 |
| 11 | Tierra Adentro Charter TIERRA ADENTRO | 7.6 |
| 12 | Sw Aeronautics Mathematics and Science Academy Charter SW AERONAUTICS MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE ACADEMY | 7.5 |
| 13 | Sandia Preparatory School | 7.5 |
| 14 | Bosque School | 7.3 |
| 15 | New Futures High School ALBUQUERQUE | 7.2 |
| 16 | College and Career High School ALBUQUERQUE | 7.2 |
| 17 | Digital Arts and Technology Academy Charter ALBUQUERQUE | 7.1 |
| 18 | Volcano Vista High ALBUQUERQUE | 7.0 |
| 19 | Albuquerque Academy | 7.0 |
| 20 | Freedom High ALBUQUERQUE | 6.8 |
| 21 | Cibola High ALBUQUERQUE | 6.7 |
| 22 | Valley High ALBUQUERQUE | 6.7 |
| 23 | Hope Christian School-high | 6.5 |
| 24 | St Pius X High School | 6.4 |
| 25 | Atrisco Heritage Academy HS ALBUQUERQUE | 6.3 |
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, Nex Gen Academy is the top-rated high school in Albuquerque with a composite score of 8.8/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
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 6.3/10. 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 that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. 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.