Excellent
#52 of 864 schools in NM
Top 6% 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
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
422
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Los Alamos
#3 of 6
public schools
New Mexico elementary schools
#34 of 468
In district
#4 of 8
LOS ALAMOS
Academic performance
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Barranca Mesa Elementary
Barranca Mesa Elementary is a public elementary school in Los Alamos, NM, part of the LOS ALAMOS. The school serves approximately 422 students in grades Pre-K – 6th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 94.1th percentile among NM schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 55% proficiency in math and 57% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $135,108, where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Barranca Mesa Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Barranca Mesa Elementary — Students at Barranca Mesa Elementary score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
14.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 4 test records from NM state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.7/10.
How Barranca Mesa Elementary Compares
See how Barranca Mesa Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 50% (2019) to 59% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 62% (2022).
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. PINON ELEMENTARY (rated 9.1/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby White Rock), which scores slightly higher. Another option is ASPEN ELEMENTARY (rated 9.0/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY (rated 8.6/10, 2.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 | 8.6 |
| CANYONCITO MONTESSORI SCHOOL Los Alamos | 1.8 mi | — |
| ASPEN ELEMENTARY Los Alamos | 1.7 mi | 9.0 |
| TOPPER FRESHMAN ACADEMY Los Alamos | 2.2 mi | 6.7 |
| LOS ALAMOS HIGH Los Alamos | 2.3 mi | 9.0 |
| MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY Los Alamos | 2.4 mi | 8.6 |
| PINON ELEMENTARY White Rock | 6.8 mi | 9.1 |
| CHAMISA ELEMENTARY White Rock | 7.0 mi | 8.6 |
| PONDEROSA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Los Alamos | 7.5 mi | — |
| San Ildefonso Day School Santa Fe | 9.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Kha'p'o Community School Espanola | 11.9 mi | 3.9 |
| CARLOS F. VIGIL MIDDLE Espanola | 12.5 mi | 4.7 |
| LOS NINOS ELEMENTARY Espanola | 12.5 mi | 6.3 |
| JAMES RODRIGUEZ ELEMENTARY Espanola | 12.6 mi | 5.1 |
| POJOAQUE HIGH Santa Fe | 12.2 mi | 7.3 |
| POJOAQUE INTERMEDIATE Santa Fe | 12.3 mi | 3.6 |
| PABLO ROYBAL ELEMENTARY Santa Fe | 12.3 mi | 6.6 |
| HERNANDEZ ELEMENTARY Espanola | 13.9 mi | 5.8 |
| EUTIMIO SALAZAR ELEMENTARY Espanola | 14.4 mi | 5.8 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Barranca Mesa Elementary has a median household income of $135,108. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $444,700, with a median rent of $1,305/month. The local poverty rate of 3.5% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ATALAYA ELEMENTARY Santa Fe, NM | 8.6 |
| CHAMISA ELEMENTARY White Rock, NM | 8.6 |
| COYOTE WILLOW FAMILY SCHOOL Albuquerque, NM | 8.6 |
| EL DORADO COMMUNITY SCHOOL Santa Fe, NM | 8.6 |
| MESILLA ELEMENTARY Las Cruces, NM | 8.6 |
| MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY Los Alamos, NM | 8.6 |
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 is ranked #52 out of 864 schools in NM.
What is Barranca Mesa Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Barranca Mesa Elementary has a composite rating of 8.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Barranca Mesa Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Barranca Mesa Elementary has 54.5% math proficiency and 57.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Los Alamos). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (505) 663-2730
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
LOS ALAMOS- District Enrollment
- 3,729
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,624
- District Rank
- #4 of 8
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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