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Average

#530 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

5.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Mexico schools

#530 of 864

In Belen

#7 of 10

public schools

In district

#7 of 10

BELEN

Academic growth

7.8 / 10

Very Good

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Belen High

5.7/10

High School in Belen · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

St Mary's Catholic School Belen

7.6/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Central Elementary

6.6/10

1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Belen High

Belen High is a public high school in Belen, NM, part of BELEN. Belen High serves approximately 1,044 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 21.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Belen High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #530 of 864 schools in NM.

Structured state assessment records for Belen High show 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 5.7 · Average
  • District avg 5.2
  • NM avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Belen High runs 21.3:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

39% of students at Belen High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.3 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency22% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)26% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-4.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
College Readiness5.7Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate78%
AP Participation7.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,218
Chronic Absenteeism39.1%

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 20.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 36.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 27 test records from NM state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
26%
ELA
36%
2010
Math
40%
ELA
45%
2011
Math
38%
ELA
44%
2012
Math
28%
ELA
46%
2013
Math
31%
ELA
39%
2014
Math
8%
ELA
31%
2015
Math
10%
ELA
28%
2016
Math
6%
ELA
27%
2017
Math
6%
2018
Math
10%
ELA
23%
2019
Math
10%
ELA
23%
2020*
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
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: 7.8/10.

How Belen High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.7/10
39th percentile in NM
Academic
5.8/10
Average
Growth
7.8/10
Very Good
Environment
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.5
Sports
23
11 boys' · 12 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
85%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
39.1%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
7.8% participation·State avg: 2.5 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics23sports offered
11 boys'·12 girls'·38 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. CENTURY ALT HIGH (rated 5.5/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Los Lunas), with a very similar rating. Additionally, BELEN INFINITY HIGH (rated 4.7/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable 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 7.6
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Belen 1.1 mi 6.6
BELEN MIDDLE Belen 1.0 mi 3.8
BELEN INFINITY HIGH Belen 1.1 mi 4.7
CANON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Belen 2.2 mi 6.1
RIO GRANDE ELEMENTARY Belen 2.0 mi 8.6
BELEN FAMILY SCHOOL Belen 2.0 mi 6.5
GIL SANCHEZ ELEMENTARY Belen 3.9 mi 8.8
DEL RIO ACADEMY Los Lunas 3.7 mi 3.4
LA MERCED ELEMENTARY Belen 3.7 mi 6.3
DENNIS CHAVEZ ELEMENTARY Belen 5.0 mi 7.0
TOME ELEMENTARY Los Lunas 7.4 mi 5.2
VALENCIA MIDDLE SCHOOL Los Lunas 8.0 mi 5.5
DESERT VIEW ELEMENTARY Los Lunas 8.7 mi 6.0
SCHOOL OF DREAMS ACADEMY Los Lunas 9.9 mi 7.0
SUNDANCE ELEMENTARY Los Lunas 10.7 mi 6.5
LOS LUNAS MIDDLE Los Lunas 10.5 mi 5.6
CENTURY ALT HIGH Los Lunas 10.5 mi 5.5
RAYMOND GABALDON ELEMENTARY Los Lunas 10.8 mi 6.9
KATHERINE GALLEGOS ELEMENTARY Los Lunas 10.9 mi 8.1

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
VALENCIA HIGH Los Lunas, NM 5.8
ARTESIA HIGH Artesia, NM 5.6
BLOOMFIELD HIGH Bloomfield, NM 5.6
SANTA TERESA HIGH Santa Teresa, NM 5.6
CAPITAL HIGH Santa Fe, NM 5.9
GADSDEN HIGH Anthony, NM 5.9

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 ranks #530 of 864 schools in NM.

What is Belen High's MySchoolScout rating?

Belen High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Belen High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Belen High has 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
39.1%
4-Year Graduation
78.0%

District

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

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