Skip to main content

Average

#352 of 864 schools in NM

Top 41% in state

Barranca Mesa Elementary

Elementary School · LOS ALAMOS

57 LOMA DEL ESCOLAR, Los Alamos, NM 87544

Enrollment

422

Student-Teacher

12.4:1

Score

6.6

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Mexico schools

#352 of 864

In Los Alamos

#6 of 6

public schools

In district

#8 of 8

LOS ALAMOS

Academic performance

9.5 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Barranca Mesa Elementary?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Barranca Mesa Elementary

6.6/10

Elementary School in Los Alamos · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Los Alamos Middle

7.4/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Canyoncito Montessori School

Nearby

1.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Barranca Mesa Elementary

Barranca Mesa Elementary is a public elementary school in Los Alamos, NM, part of LOS ALAMOS. Barranca Mesa Elementary serves approximately 422 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Barranca Mesa Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #352 of 864 schools in NM.

Structured state assessment records for Barranca Mesa Elementary show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.0 pts below district
  • This school 6.6 · Average
  • District avg 7.6
  • NM avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Barranca Mesa Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.1Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-2.64 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency59% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency62% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency61% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+13.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile92th
Resources & Environment8.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,624
Chronic Absenteeism22.7%

Barranca Mesa Elementary — Students at Barranca Mesa Elementary score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

14.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 67.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 68.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 23 test records from NM state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
76%
ELA
79%
2010
Math
85%
ELA
83%
2011
Math
79%
ELA
81%
2012
Math
80%
ELA
79%
2013
Math
83%
ELA
83%
2014
Math
64%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
66%
ELA
58%
2016
Math
60%
ELA
61%
2017
Math
54%
2018
Math
50%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
50%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
59%
ELA
62%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.1/10.

How Barranca Mesa Elementary Compares

See how Barranca Mesa Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.6/10
59th percentile in NM
Academic
9.5/10
Excellent
Growth
4.1/10
Below Average
Environment
8.5/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
14%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

57 LOMA DEL ESCOLAR, Los Alamos, NM 87544

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Barranca Mesa Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY (rated 9.0/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CHAMISA ELEMENTARY (rated 7.9/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby White Rock), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PINON ELEMENTARY (rated 7.7/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby White Rock), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Los Alamos, see our Los Alamos schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.4 mi
School Distance Rating
LOS ALAMOS MIDDLE Los Alamos 1.0 mi 7.4
CANYONCITO MONTESSORI SCHOOL Los Alamos 1.8 mi
ASPEN ELEMENTARY Los Alamos 1.7 mi 6.6
TOPPER FRESHMAN ACADEMY Los Alamos 2.2 mi 8.2
LOS ALAMOS HIGH Los Alamos 2.3 mi 8.1
MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY Los Alamos 2.4 mi 9.0
PINON ELEMENTARY White Rock 6.8 mi 7.7
CHAMISA ELEMENTARY White Rock 7.0 mi 7.9
PONDEROSA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Los Alamos 7.5 mi
San Ildefonso Day School Santa Fe 9.2 mi 7.7
Kha'p'o Community School Espanola 11.9 mi 3.1
CARLOS F. VIGIL MIDDLE Espanola 12.5 mi 5.7
LOS NINOS ELEMENTARY Espanola 12.5 mi 6.6
JAMES RODRIGUEZ ELEMENTARY Espanola 12.6 mi 2.9
POJOAQUE HIGH Santa Fe 12.2 mi 6.0
POJOAQUE INTERMEDIATE Santa Fe 12.3 mi 2.6
PABLO ROYBAL ELEMENTARY Santa Fe 12.3 mi 3.7
HERNANDEZ ELEMENTARY Espanola 13.9 mi 6.8
EUTIMIO SALAZAR ELEMENTARY Espanola 14.4 mi 5.5
HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Santa Cruz 14.4 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 87544 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$135,108

Median Home Value

$444,700

Median Rent

$1,305/mo

Population

13,806

College Educated

67.4%

Homeownership

66.3%

Poverty Rate

3.5%

Median Age

40.6

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
AMY BIEHL COMMUNITY SCHOOL AT RANCHO VIEJO Santa Fe, NM 6.6
ASPEN ELEMENTARY Los Alamos, NM 6.6
DESERT STAR ELEMENTARY Alamogordo, NM 6.6
DEXTER ELEMENTARY Dexter, NM 6.6
RUBEN S. TORRES ELEMENTARY Deming, NM 6.6
SAN ANTONITO ELEMENTARY Sandia Park, NM 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Barranca Mesa Elementary

What grades does Barranca Mesa Elementary serve?

Barranca Mesa Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Barranca Mesa Elementary?

Barranca Mesa Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 422 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Barranca Mesa Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Barranca Mesa Elementary is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Barranca Mesa Elementary rank in NM?

Barranca Mesa Elementary ranks #352 of 864 schools in NM.

What is Barranca Mesa Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Barranca Mesa Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Barranca Mesa Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Barranca Mesa Elementary has 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Barranca Mesa Elementary a charter school?

No, Barranca Mesa Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Barranca Mesa Elementary a Title I school?

No, Barranca Mesa Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Barranca Mesa Elementary?

14.2% of students at Barranca Mesa Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
22 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
422
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
14.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Los Alamos County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.7%

District

LOS ALAMOS
District Enrollment
3,729
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,624
District Rank
#8 of 8

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 rate

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.