Central School District
School District · Shiprock, New Mexico
Avg Rating
5.8
out of 10
Schools
16
9 elem, 3 mid, 4 high
Enrollment
4,702
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.2:1
Avg Rating
5.8
out of 10
Schools
16
9 elem, 3 mid, 4 high
Enrollment
4,702
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.2:1
Evaluating Central?
A district shares budget, policy, and attendance zones across its schools — use this page to judge Central as a whole, then compare how its individual schools differ.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Judy Nelson Elementary
Kirtland · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Eva B Stokely Elementary
Shiprock · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Ojo Amarillo Elementary
Fruitland · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
How this district compares
New Mexico rank
#69 of 88
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
-0.5
below New Mexico avg
Per-pupil spending
$23,470
+$4,499 vs New Mexico median
District size
4,702 students
Much larger than New Mexico median
The short answer
Central ranks #69 of 88 New Mexico districts by overall school rating. Central's schools with real test data average 5.8/10 across 15 schools. Its top-rated schools are Judy Nelson Elementary (8.8/10), Eva B Stokely Elementary (8.0/10), and Ojo Amarillo Elementary (6.7/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Rates 8.8/10 despite 67% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.8 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 Central schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Central
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite rating using only schools with real test data (15 of 16). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Judy Nelson Elementary | 8.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Eva B Stokely Elementary | 8.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Ojo Amarillo Elementary | 6.7 / 10 |
| 4 | Kirtland Central High | 6.5 / 10 |
| 5 | Shiprock High | 5.9 / 10 |
| 6 | Mesa Elementary | 5.9 / 10 |
| 7 | Naschitti Elementary | 5.9 / 10 |
| 8 | Career Prep Alternative | 5.7 / 10 |
| 9 | Kirtland Middle | 5.3 / 10 |
| 10 | Tse Bit Ai Middle | 5.1 / 10 |
See all 16 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
About Central
Central is a Shiprock, New Mexico school district serving 16 schools.The district educates 4,702 students with a student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1. District-level spending was $23,470 per student in fiscal year 2023 (NCES F-33).
With an average rating of 5.8/10, Central demonstrates solid academic performance.
The highest-rated school in the district is Judy Nelson Elementary, which has a composite score of 8.8/10.
In standardized testing, Central students show an average math proficiency of 19.0% and ELA proficiency of 29.9%.
The district includes 9 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 4 high schools.
District Map
Schools in Central, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in Central with test data.
Schools in Central
16 schoolsElementary Schools9
Middle Schools3
District Details
- State
- New Mexico
- City
- Shiprock
- Total Enrollment
- 4,702
- Teachers (FTE)
- 386
- District spending per student
- $23,470NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- Child poverty rate
- 32.1%Census SAIPE · 2024
- District directory year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Central?
Central has 16 schools in total — 9 elementary, 3 middle, and 4 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for Central?
The average composite rating for Central is 5.8/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the district spending per student in Central?
Central's district-level spending was $23,470 per student in fiscal year 2023, according to NCES F-33. This is district context, not an individual-school expense.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Central?
The average student-teacher ratio in Central is 12.2:1.
What is the top-rated school in Central?
Judy Nelson Elementary is the highest-rated school in Central with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What are the test scores in Central?
Across schools in Central with test data, the average math proficiency is 19.0% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 29.9%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does Central compare to other districts in New Mexico?
Central has an average school rating of 5.8/10 across 16 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in New Mexico by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and learning environment — plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context without being factored into the score. Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 5.8/10
- Math Proficiency
- 19.0%
- ELA Proficiency
- 29.9%
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 rateOther School Districts in NM
Compare Central with neighboring districts in the state.
- Albuquerque (174)
- Las Cruces (39)
- Gallup (33)
- Santa Fe (30)
- Gadsden (28)
- Roswell (22)
- Rio Rancho (21)
- Farmington (20)
- Clovis (18)
- Hobbs (18)
- Los Lunas (16)
- Alamogordo (15)
- Carlsbad (14)
- Deming (13)
- Espanola (13)
- Grants (12)
- Bernalillo (11)
- Nm Corrections (11)
- Artesia (10)
- Belen (10)
- Lovington (10)
- West Las Vegas (10)
- Silver City (9)
- Taos (9)
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.
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