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
Enrollment
1,044
Student-Teacher
21.3:1
Score
5.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Belen High — Students at Belen High score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
85.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from NM state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 23% (2019) to 32% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (505) 966-1300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
BELEN- District Enrollment
- 3,564
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,218
- District Rank
- #9 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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