Very Good
#171 of 864 schools in NM
Top 20% in state
Belen Family School
Elementary School · BELEN
520 NORTH MAIN ST, Belen, NM 87002
Enrollment
139
Student-Teacher
27.8:1
Score
7.7
Grades
1st – 8th
Enrollment
139
Student-Teacher
27.8:1
Score
7.7
Grades
1st – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Belen
#3 of 10
public schools
New Mexico elementary schools
#103 of 468
In district
#3 of 10
BELEN
Academic performance
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Belen Family School
Belen Family School serves 139 students in grades 1-8 as an alternative elementary school in Belen, New Mexico. With just 5 full-time equivalent teachers, the school operates with a student-teacher ratio of 27.8:1, creating a close-knit learning environment where educators can develop meaningful relationships with their students. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking 144th out of 874 schools statewide, placing it in the 84th percentile.
Students show solid achievement in core subjects, with 62% demonstrating proficiency or above in mathematics and 52% meeting proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading. This academic success reflects the school's commitment to supporting student growth within its alternative educational model. As an alternative school, Belen Family School likely serves students who benefit from a different approach to traditional education, providing specialized support and individualized attention.
The school's strong academic score of 9.5 out of 10 suggests that its alternative methods are effectively meeting students' educational needs. Located at 520 North Main Street in Valencia County, the school sits in a small suburban community where the median household income is $50,655 and homes average $152,400 in value, reflecting a working-class neighborhood committed to educational opportunity.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 139 students, Belen Family School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
The student-teacher ratio at Belen Family School is 27.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
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Belen Family School — Students at Belen Family School score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42.4%
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: 8.9/10.
How Belen Family School Compares
See how Belen Family School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 52% (2019) to 52% (2022).
Location
520 NORTH MAIN ST, Belen, NM 87002
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Belen Family School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. RIO GRANDE ELEMENTARY (rated 9.0/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is DENNIS CHAVEZ ELEMENTARY (rated 8.4/10, 4.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ST MARY'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL BELEN (rated 7.7/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Belen, see our Belen schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| RIO GRANDE ELEMENTARY Belen | 0.1 mi | 9.0 |
| BELEN INFINITY HIGH Belen | 0.9 mi | 5.2 |
| BELEN MIDDLE Belen | 1.0 mi | 4.6 |
| CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Belen | 1.2 mi | 6.6 |
| ST MARY'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL BELEN Belen | 1.4 mi | 7.7 |
| CANON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Belen | 2.1 mi | 6.1 |
| LA MERCED ELEMENTARY Belen | 1.8 mi | 5.3 |
| BELEN HIGH Belen | 2.0 mi | 5.0 |
| DEL RIO ACADEMY Los Lunas | 2.7 mi | 3.4 |
| GIL SANCHEZ ELEMENTARY Belen | 3.3 mi | 7.0 |
| DENNIS CHAVEZ ELEMENTARY Belen | 4.9 mi | 8.4 |
| TOME ELEMENTARY Los Lunas | 6.3 mi | 6.3 |
| VALENCIA MIDDLE SCHOOL Los Lunas | 6.8 mi | 5.9 |
| DESERT VIEW ELEMENTARY Los Lunas | 7.4 mi | 5.2 |
| VALENCIA HIGH Los Lunas | 8.2 mi | 6.2 |
| SCHOOL OF DREAMS ACADEMY Los Lunas | 9.8 mi | 5.8 |
| CENTURY ALT HIGH Los Lunas | 10.1 mi | 4.9 |
| LOS LUNAS MIDDLE Los Lunas | 10.4 mi | 5.1 |
| RAYMOND GABALDON ELEMENTARY Los Lunas | 10.7 mi | 6.9 |
| LOS LUNAS ELEMENTARY Los Lunas | 10.7 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 87002 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$51,537
Median Home Value
$183,700
Median Rent
$859/mo
Population
21,375
College Educated
18.8%
Homeownership
82.1%
Avg Commute
26.6 min
Poverty Rate
19.6%
Median Age
45.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Belen Family School has a median household income of $51,537. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $183,700, with a median rent of $859/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.6%. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BLANCO ELEMENTARY Blanco, NM | 7.7 |
| CLOUDCROFT ELEMENTARY Cloudcroft, NM | 7.7 |
| Haak'u Community Academy Pueblo Of Acoma, NM | 7.7 |
| MELROSE ELEMENTARY Melrose, NM | 7.7 |
| ST MARY'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL BELEN Belen, NM | 7.7 |
| DURANES ELEMENTARY Albuquerque, NM | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Belen Family School
What grades does Belen Family School serve?
Belen Family School serves students in grades 1st through 8th.
How many students attend Belen Family School?
Belen Family School has an enrollment of approximately 139 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Belen Family School?
The student-teacher ratio at Belen Family School is 27.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Belen Family School rank in NM?
Belen Family School is ranked #171 out of 864 schools in NM.
What is Belen Family School's MySchoolScout rating?
Belen Family School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Belen Family School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Belen Family School has 52.0% math proficiency and 52.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Belen Family School a charter school?
No, Belen Family School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Belen Family School a Title I school?
No, Belen Family School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Belen Family School?
42.4% of students at Belen Family School 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 1st – 8th
- Enrollment
- 139
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 27.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 42.4%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Valencia County
- Phone
- (505) 966-2270
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
BELEN- District Enrollment
- 3,564
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,218
- District Rank
- #3 of 10
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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