Best Schools in Portales, New Mexico
6 schools · 3 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Portales?
Use this page to compare every school in Portales 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.
Lindsey-steiner Elementary
Middle · Portales. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Portales JR High
Middle · Portales. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Valencia Elementary
Elementary · Portales. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Portales for 2026 are Lindsey-steiner Elementary (6.7/10), Portales JR High (6.5/10), and Valencia Elementary (6.3/10), 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
6
in this city
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$136,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
6
in this city
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$136,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Portales
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lindsey-steiner Elementary | 6.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Portales JR High | 6.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Valencia Elementary | 6.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Portales High | 6.1 / 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
- 6.0/10
- Median household income
- $52,420
- Median home value
- $136,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 22%
- Avg commute
- 16 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 61%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Portales compares
New Mexico rank
#57 of 79
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below New Mexico avg (6.2)
Median household income
$52k
91% of New Mexico median
Schools in this city
6
About Schools in Portales, New Mexico
Portales, New Mexico is home to 6 schools, including 6 public schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.0 out of 10, schools in Portales 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 Portales is Lindsey-steiner Elementary with a composite score of 6.7/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Portales is served by 1 school district: PORTALES. These districts collectively serve 2,571 students.
Portales's community shows 22% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $52,420. The poverty rate in the area is 21.4%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 375 students · 1st–2nd | 6.4 |
| 2 | 357 students · 3rd–4th | 6.3 |
| 3 | 311 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | 4.0 |
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 382 students · 5th–6th | 6.7 |
| 2 | 347 students · 7th–8th | 6.5 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 798 students · 9th–12th | 6.1 |
Schools in Portales
Portales, New Mexico · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$52,420
Median Home Value
$136,600
Median Rent
$865/mo
Population
17,865
College Educated
22%
Homeownership
61%
Avg Commute
16 min
Poverty Rate
21.4%
Community Profile
Portales has a median household income of $52,420. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $136,600, with a median rent of $865/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- New Mexico
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 2
- 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 Portales, New Mexico
How many schools are in Portales, New Mexico?
Portales has 6 schools, including 6 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Portales, New Mexico?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Portales is 6.0 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 Portales, New Mexico?
The top-ranked school in Portales on MySchoolScout is Lindsey-steiner Elementary with a composite score of 6.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Portales, New Mexico?
The top-ranked elementary school in Portales on MySchoolScout is Valencia Elementary with a composite score of 6.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Portales, New Mexico?
The top-ranked middle school in Portales on MySchoolScout is Lindsey-steiner Elementary with a composite score of 6.7/10.
What is the best high school in Portales, New Mexico?
The top-ranked high school in Portales on MySchoolScout is Portales High with a composite score of 6.1/10.
How many school districts serve Portales, New Mexico?
Portales is served by 1 school district: Portales.
What is the education level in Portales, New Mexico?
According to Census data, 22% of adults in Portales have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Portales, New Mexico?
The median household income in Portales is approximately $52,420 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Portales, New Mexico?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Portales is 88.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Portales, 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.