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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.9Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+3.33 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.6Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected+17.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.8Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio27.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,063

Belen Family School — Students at Belen Family School score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 52.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 52.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from NM state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
52%

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.

Overall Score
7.7/10
80th percentile in NM
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
8.9/10
Above average
Environment
1.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
28:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
37 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (5,394/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Belen). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

BELEN
District Enrollment
3,564
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,218
District Rank
#3 of 10

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.

Read our full methodology

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