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4.8 avg / 10

Best Schools in Carlsbad, New Mexico

13 schools · 6 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 High · 3 Other

Public: 13
Districts: 1
Avg Rating: 4.8/10
Estimated Scores: 15%

Family Snapshot

At a glance
Avg school rating
4.8/10

0% of schools rated 7+

Median household income
$79,668

Census ACS, ZIPs in this city

Median home value
$192,600

Owner-occupied units

Bachelor's degree or higher
20%

Adults 25+

Avg commute
22 min

Workers age 16+

Owner-occupied homes
76%

Of occupied housing units

How Carlsbad compares

New Mexico rank

#78 of 79

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

-1.5

below New Mexico avg (6.3)

Median household income

$80k

138% of New Mexico median

Schools in this city

13

About Schools in Carlsbad, New Mexico

Carlsbad, New Mexico is home to 13 schools, including 13 public schools. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools.

With an average rating of 4.8 out of 10, schools in Carlsbad show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Carlsbad is Ocotillo Elementary with a composite score of 6.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.

Carlsbad is served by 1 school district: CARLSBAD. These districts collectively serve 7,343 students.

Carlsbad's community shows 20% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $79,668. The poverty rate in the area is 12.0%.

Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.

Filter by ZIP: 88220 (13)

Elementary Schools

6 schools
# School Rating
1 711 students · Kindergarten–5th 6.3
2 345 students · Kindergarten–5th 6.2
3 419 students · Kindergarten–5th 5.7
4 820 students · Kindergarten–5th 5.1
5 212 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten 4.6
6 671 students · Kindergarten–5th 3.9

Middle Schools

2 schools
# School Rating
1 834 students · 6th–8th 4.0
2 714 students · 6th–8th 3.7

High Schools

2 schools
# School Rating
1 170 students · 9th–12th 4.8
2 1,623 students · 9th–12th 3.1

Other Schools

3 schools
# School Rating
1 320 students · Pre-K–Pre-K 5.7
2 258 students · Kindergarten–12th 4.5
3 234 students · 1st–12th 4.3

Schools in Carlsbad

Carlsbad, New Mexico · 13 schools

Community Demographics

Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code

Median Income

$79,668

Median Home Value

$192,600

Median Rent

$1,218/mo

Population

40,151

College Educated

20%

Homeownership

76%

Avg Commute

22 min

Poverty Rate

12.0%

Community Profile

Carlsbad has a median household income of $79,668. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $192,600, with a median rent of $1,218/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.0%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Quick Facts

Total Schools
13
Elementary
6
Middle
2
High
2
Districts
1
Avg Rating
4.8/10

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about schools in Carlsbad, New Mexico

How many schools are in Carlsbad, New Mexico?

Carlsbad has 13 schools, including 13 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.

What is the average school rating in Carlsbad, New Mexico?

The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Carlsbad is 4.8 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

What is the top-ranked school in Carlsbad, New Mexico?

The top-ranked school in Carlsbad on MySchoolScout is Ocotillo Elementary with a composite score of 6.3/10.

What is the best elementary school in Carlsbad, New Mexico?

The top-ranked elementary school in Carlsbad on MySchoolScout is Ocotillo Elementary with a composite score of 6.3/10.

What is the best middle school in Carlsbad, New Mexico?

The top-ranked middle school in Carlsbad on MySchoolScout is Carlsbad Intermediate School - Pr Leyva Campus with a composite score of 4.0/10.

What is the best high school in Carlsbad, New Mexico?

The top-ranked high school in Carlsbad on MySchoolScout is Carlsbad Early College High with a composite score of 4.8/10.

How many school districts serve Carlsbad, New Mexico?

Carlsbad is served by 1 school district: Carlsbad.

What is the education level in Carlsbad, New Mexico?

According to Census data, 20% of adults in Carlsbad have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the median income in Carlsbad, New Mexico?

The median household income in Carlsbad is approximately $79,668 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Carlsbad, New Mexico?

The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Carlsbad is 36.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.

How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Carlsbad, New Mexico?

MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.

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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, New Mexico Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.