Best Schools in Kirtland, New Mexico
4 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Kirtland?
Use this page to compare every school in Kirtland by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Judy Nelson Elementary
Elementary · Central. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Kirtland Central High
High · Central. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Kirtland Middle
Middle · Central. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Kirtland for 2026 are Judy Nelson Elementary (8.8/10), Kirtland Central High (6.5/10), and Kirtland Middle (5.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
4
in this city
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$180,400
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
4
in this city
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$180,400
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Kirtland
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Judy Nelson Elementary | 8.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Kirtland Central High | 6.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Kirtland Middle | 5.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Kirtland Elementary | 4.9 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.4/10
- Median household income
- $65,396
- Median home value
- $180,400
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 11%
- Avg commute
- 23 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 69%
25% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Kirtland compares
New Mexico rank
#40 of 79
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.1
above New Mexico avg (6.2)
Median household income
$65k
114% of New Mexico median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Kirtland, New Mexico
Kirtland, New Mexico is home to 4 schools, including 4 public schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.4 out of 10, schools in Kirtland show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Kirtland is Judy Nelson Elementary with a composite score of 8.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Kirtland is served by 1 school district: CENTRAL. These districts collectively serve 4,702 students.
Kirtland's community shows 11% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $65,396. The poverty rate in the area is 18.7%.
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.
Elementary Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 467 students · Pre-K–6th | 8.8 |
| 2 | 380 students · Pre-K–6th | 4.9 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 375 students · 7th–8th | 5.3 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 704 students · 9th–12th | 6.5 |
Schools in Kirtland
Kirtland, New Mexico · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$65,396
Median Home Value
$180,400
Median Rent
$799/mo
Population
6,507
College Educated
11%
Homeownership
69%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
18.7%
Community Profile
Kirtland has a median household income of $65,396. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $180,400, with a median rent of $799/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.7%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- New Mexico
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in New Mexico
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Kirtland, New Mexico
How many schools are in Kirtland, New Mexico?
Kirtland has 4 schools, including 4 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Kirtland, New Mexico?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Kirtland is 6.4 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Kirtland, New Mexico?
The top-ranked school in Kirtland on MySchoolScout is Judy Nelson Elementary with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Kirtland, New Mexico?
The top-ranked elementary school in Kirtland on MySchoolScout is Judy Nelson Elementary with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Kirtland, New Mexico?
The top-ranked middle school in Kirtland on MySchoolScout is Kirtland Middle with a composite score of 5.3/10.
What is the best high school in Kirtland, New Mexico?
The top-ranked high school in Kirtland on MySchoolScout is Kirtland Central High with a composite score of 6.5/10.
How many school districts serve Kirtland, New Mexico?
Kirtland is served by 1 school district: Central.
What is the education level in Kirtland, New Mexico?
According to Census data, 11% of adults in Kirtland have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Kirtland, New Mexico?
The median household income in Kirtland is approximately $65,396 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Kirtland, New Mexico?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Kirtland is 12.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Kirtland, 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 built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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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.