Best Schools in Las Cruces, New Mexico
50 schools · 30 Elementary · 9 Middle · 9 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Las Cruces?
Use this page to compare every school in Las Cruces 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.
White Sands Elementary
Elementary · Las Cruces. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy
Middle · Las Cruces. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Las Cruces Catholic School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Las Cruces for 2026 are White Sands Elementary (9.3/10), Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy (9.0/10), and Las Cruces Catholic School (8.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 46 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
50
46 public · 4 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$227,000
home value · ACS
Districts
9
serving the city
Schools
50
46 public · 4 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$227,000
home value · ACS
Districts
9
serving the city
Rates 9.3/10 despite 98% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 3.0 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Las Cruces schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Las Cruces
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (46 of 50). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | White Sands Elementary | 9.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy | 9.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Las Cruces Catholic School | 8.3 / 10 |
| 4 | La Academia Dolores Huerta | 8.0 / 10 |
| 5 | Tombaugh Elementary | 7.9 / 10 |
| 6 | Jornada Elementary | 7.8 / 10 |
| 7 | Arrowhead Park Early College High School | 7.7 / 10 |
| 8 | Camino Real Middle | 7.5 / 10 |
| 9 | Sonoma Elementary | 7.3 / 10 |
| 10 | Mesa Middle | 7.3 / 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
- 6.3/10
- Median household income
- $58,379
- Median home value
- $227,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 30%
- Avg commute
- 20 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 64%
31% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Las Cruces compares
New Mexico rank
#43 of 79
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.1
above New Mexico avg (6.2)
Median household income
$58k
101% of New Mexico median
Schools in this city
48
About Schools in Las Cruces, New Mexico
Las Cruces is one of New Mexico's largest cities and home to 45 ranked public schools spanning elementary through high school. The district average sits at 6.7 out of 10 — a solid starting point for research, though performance varies considerably across the city. Eighteen schools, or 40% of the total, score 7.0 or higher, meaning parents have a real range of strong options to explore rather than a handful of outliers.
Elementary school is where Las Cruces stands out most. J Paul Taylor Academy and Mesilla Elementary both earn a 9.0 out of 10, putting them among the top performers in the region. Sonoma Elementary (8.8) and White Sands Elementary (8.6) round out a cluster of high-scoring primary schools that give families with younger children several strong choices. The concentration of high-rated elementaries suggests the city does particularly well in its early grades pipeline.
At the middle school level, Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy matches the top elementary tier with a 9.0 score — a notable result for a grade band where performance more often dips relative to elementary schools. Parents planning ahead for the middle school transition have at least one clear standout option.
The practical takeaway for families: Las Cruces is a city where school address matters. With 40% of schools scoring 7.0 or above but an overall average of 6.7, there's meaningful variation between neighborhoods and school zones. The highest-performing schools tend to be smaller academies and elementary programs, so families prioritizing the early grades have the most options to choose from. For those entering middle school or high school, drilling into individual school pages to compare ratings, enrollment, and specific academic programs will matter more than relying on the city-wide average. Start with the top-rated schools on this list, map their attendance zones to your address, and use the individual school profiles to compare growth scores and specific program offerings before narrowing your search.
Elementary Schools
30 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 283 students · Pre-K–8th | 9.3 |
| 2 | 584 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.9 |
| 3 | 453 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.8 |
| 4 | 735 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.3 |
| 5 | 200 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.1 |
| 6 | 186 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.0 |
| 7 | 411 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.0 |
| 8 | 539 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.0 |
| 9 | 341 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.9 |
| 10 | 377 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.8 |
Show all 30 elementary schools in Las Cruces
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
9 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 99 students · 6th–8th | 9.0 |
| 2 | 68 students · 6th–8th | 8.0 |
| 3 | 928 students · 6th–8th | 7.5 |
| 4 | 718 students · 6th–8th | 7.3 |
| 5 | 581 students · 6th–8th | 6.9 |
| 6 | 752 students · 6th–8th | 5.7 |
| 7 | 684 students · 6th–8th | 5.5 |
| 8 | 513 students · 6th–8th | 5.2 |
| 9 | 626 students · 6th–8th | 4.6 |
High Schools
9 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 554 students · 9th–12th | 7.7 |
| 2 | 1,664 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 |
| 3 | 137 students · 9th–12th | 6.9 |
| 4 | 172 students · 9th–12th | 6.8 |
| 5 | 2,063 students · 9th–12th | 5.6 |
| 6 | 1,806 students · 9th–12th | 5.5 |
| 7 | 1,401 students · 9th–12th | 5.1 |
| 8 | 178 students · 9th–12th | 4.6 |
| 9 | 1 students · 8th–12th | — |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 343 students · 4th–10th | 6.3 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Mesilla Valley Christian School
Private
392 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.9 | ||
Schools in Las Cruces
Las Cruces, New Mexico · 50 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 6 ZIP codes
Median Income
$58,379
Median Home Value
$227,000
Median Rent
$951/mo
Population
156,744
College Educated
30%
Homeownership
64%
Avg Commute
20 min
Poverty Rate
19.8%
Community Profile
Las Cruces has a median household income of $58,379. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $227,000, with a median rent of $951/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.8%. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- New Mexico
- Elementary
- 30
- Middle
- 9
- High
- 9
- Other
- 2
Resources
School Districts (9)
NM CORRECTIONS
11 schools · 14 students
ALMA D'ARTE CHARTER
1 school · 137 students
J PAUL TAYLOR ACADEMY
1 school · 200 students
NEW AMERICA SCHOOL - LAS CRUCES
1 school · 178 students
LA ACADEMIA DOLORES HUERTA
1 school · 68 students
LAS MONTANAS CHARTER
1 school · 172 students
RAICES DEL SABER XINACHTLI COMMUNITY
1 school · 133 students
EXPLORE ACADEMY LAS CRUCES
1 school · 343 students
LAS CRUCES
39 schools · 23,404 students
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 Las Cruces, New Mexico
How many schools are in Las Cruces, New Mexico?
Las Cruces has 50 schools, including 46 public and 4 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Las Cruces, New Mexico?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Las Cruces is 6.3 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 Las Cruces, New Mexico?
The top-ranked school in Las Cruces on MySchoolScout is White Sands Elementary with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Las Cruces, New Mexico?
The top-ranked elementary school in Las Cruces on MySchoolScout is White Sands Elementary with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Las Cruces, New Mexico?
The top-ranked middle school in Las Cruces on MySchoolScout is Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best high school in Las Cruces, New Mexico?
The top-ranked high school in Las Cruces on MySchoolScout is Arrowhead Park Early College High School with a composite score of 7.7/10.
How many school districts serve Las Cruces, New Mexico?
Las Cruces is served by 9 school districts: Nm Corrections, Alma D'arte Charter, J Paul Taylor Academy, New America School - Las Cruces, La Academia Dolores Huerta, Las Montanas Charter, Raices Del Saber Xinachtli Community, Explore Academy Las Cruces, Las Cruces.
What is the education level in Las Cruces, New Mexico?
According to Census data, 30% of adults in Las Cruces have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Las Cruces, New Mexico?
The median household income in Las Cruces is approximately $58,379 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Las Cruces, New Mexico?
Yes, Las Cruces has 4 private schools alongside 46 public schools. The top-rated private school is Las Cruces Catholic School with a score of 8.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Las Cruces, New Mexico?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Las Cruces is 13.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Las Cruces, 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.
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
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.