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Average

#684 of 864 schools in NM

Belen High

High School · BELEN

520 NORTH MAIN ST, Belen, NM 87002

Enrollment

1,044

Student-Teacher

21.3:1

Score

5.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Belen

#9 of 10

public schools

New Mexico high schools

#146 of 193

In district

#9 of 10

BELEN

Academic growth

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Belen High

Belen High serves 1,044 students in grades 9 through 12 in this Valencia County community. With 49 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.3:1. The school currently ranks 617th out of 874 high schools statewide, placing it in the 30th percentile among New Mexico schools.

Academically, Belen High has room for growth, with 32% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts and 12% reaching proficiency in mathematics. These results reflect opportunities for continued focus on student development and academic support systems. The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $50,655 and median home values average $152,400.

About one in five residents holds a bachelor's degree or higher, while 18.6% of families face economic challenges. This working-class community of nearly 20,000 residents provides a backdrop where educational achievement can make a meaningful difference in students' futures. Belen High is situated in a small suburban setting along North Main Street, serving as an important educational anchor for families throughout the greater Belen area in central New Mexico.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Belen High is 21.3:1, 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.68 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics5.8Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected-4.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
College Readiness3.2Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation7.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,063

Belen High — Students at Belen High score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

85.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 17.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 34.8%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 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
10%
ELA
23%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
32%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.6/10.

How Belen High Compares

See how Belen High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
21th percentile in NM
Academic
5.8/10
5.8/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
2.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
85%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers

Location

520 NORTH MAIN ST, Belen, NM 87002

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Belen High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BELEN INFINITY HIGH (rated 5.2/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, CENTURY ALT HIGH (rated 4.9/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Los Lunas), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Belen, see our Belen schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.9 mi
School Distance Rating
ST MARY'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL BELEN Belen 0.7 mi 7.7
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Belen 1.1 mi 6.6
BELEN MIDDLE Belen 1.0 mi 4.6
BELEN INFINITY HIGH Belen 1.1 mi 5.2
CANON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Belen 2.2 mi 6.1
RIO GRANDE ELEMENTARY Belen 2.0 mi 9.0
BELEN FAMILY SCHOOL Belen 2.0 mi 7.7
GIL SANCHEZ ELEMENTARY Belen 3.9 mi 7.0
DEL RIO ACADEMY Los Lunas 3.7 mi 3.4
LA MERCED ELEMENTARY Belen 3.7 mi 5.3
DENNIS CHAVEZ ELEMENTARY Belen 5.0 mi 8.4
TOME ELEMENTARY Los Lunas 7.4 mi 6.3
VALENCIA MIDDLE SCHOOL Los Lunas 8.0 mi 5.9
DESERT VIEW ELEMENTARY Los Lunas 8.7 mi 5.2
SCHOOL OF DREAMS ACADEMY Los Lunas 9.9 mi 5.8
SUNDANCE ELEMENTARY Los Lunas 10.7 mi 6.1
LOS LUNAS MIDDLE Los Lunas 10.5 mi 5.1
CENTURY ALT HIGH Los Lunas 10.5 mi 4.9
RAYMOND GABALDON ELEMENTARY Los Lunas 10.8 mi 6.9
KATHERINE GALLEGOS ELEMENTARY Los Lunas 10.9 mi 7.7

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 High 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
AZTEC HIGH Aztec, NM 5.0
BERNALILLO HIGH Bernalillo, NM 4.8
MORIARTY HIGH Moriarty, NM 5.2
SANTA TERESA HIGH Santa Teresa, NM 5.2
DEL NORTE HIGH Albuquerque, NM 4.7
GODDARD HIGH Roswell, NM 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Belen High

What grades does Belen High serve?

Belen High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Belen High?

Belen High has an enrollment of approximately 1,044 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Belen High?

The student-teacher ratio at Belen High is 21.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Belen High rank in NM?

Belen High is ranked #684 out of 864 schools in NM.

What is Belen High's MySchoolScout rating?

Belen High has a composite rating of 5.0 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 High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Belen High has 17.3% math proficiency and 34.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Belen High a charter school?

No, Belen High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Belen High a Title I school?

No, Belen High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Belen High?

85.4% of students at Belen High 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
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 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
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,044
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
49
Free/Reduced Lunch
85.4%
Type
regular
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
#9 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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