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Needs Improvement

#817 of 864 schools in NM

Belen Middle

Middle School · BELEN

520 NORTH MAIN ST, Belen, NM 87002

Enrollment

493

Student-Teacher

14.9:1

Score

3.8

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Mexico schools

#817 of 864

In Belen

#10 of 10

public schools

In district

#10 of 10

BELEN

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Belen Middle

3.8/10

Middle School in Belen · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Belen Infinity High

4.7/10

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

Central Elementary

6.6/10

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

About Belen Middle

Belen Middle is a public middle school in Belen, NM, part of BELEN. Belen Middle serves approximately 493 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Belen Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #817 of 864 schools in NM.

Structured state assessment records for Belen Middle show 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.4 pts below district
  • This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.2
  • NM avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

71% of students at Belen Middle 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.8Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-2.78 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency19% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency16% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)25% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-8.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
Resources & Environment3.1Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,218
Chronic Absenteeism70.6%

Belen Middle — Students at Belen Middle score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

89.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 21.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 35.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 23 test records from NM state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
29%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
36%
ELA
51%
2011
Math
39%
ELA
56%
2012
Math
39%
ELA
54%
2013
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
10%
ELA
17%
2015
Math
11%
ELA
13%
2016
Math
11%
ELA
22%
2017
Math
13%
2018
Math
11%
ELA
28%
2019
Math
11%
ELA
28%
2022
Math
13%
ELA
19%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.8/10.

How Belen Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
3.8/10
6th percentile in NM
Academic
4.2/10
Below Average
Growth
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
90%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
70.6%

Programs & Offerings

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 Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. CENTRAL ELEMENTARY (rated 6.6/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is LOS LUNAS MIDDLE (rated 5.6/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Los Lunas), which scores notably higher. Additionally, VALENCIA MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.5/10, 7.4 miles away, in nearby Los Lunas), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Belen, see our Belen schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.9 mi
School Distance Rating
BELEN INFINITY HIGH Belen 0.1 mi 4.7
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Belen 0.6 mi 6.6
ST MARY'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL BELEN Belen 0.5 mi 7.6
RIO GRANDE ELEMENTARY Belen 0.9 mi 8.6
BELEN FAMILY SCHOOL Belen 1.0 mi 6.5
BELEN HIGH Belen 1.0 mi 5.7
CANON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Belen 1.9 mi 6.1
LA MERCED ELEMENTARY Belen 2.7 mi 6.3
DEL RIO ACADEMY Los Lunas 3.1 mi 3.4
GIL SANCHEZ ELEMENTARY Belen 3.4 mi 8.8
DENNIS CHAVEZ ELEMENTARY Belen 4.9 mi 7.0
TOME ELEMENTARY Los Lunas 6.9 mi 5.2
VALENCIA MIDDLE SCHOOL Los Lunas 7.4 mi 5.5
DESERT VIEW ELEMENTARY Los Lunas 8.0 mi 6.0
SCHOOL OF DREAMS ACADEMY Los Lunas 9.9 mi 7.0
VALENCIA HIGH Los Lunas 8.9 mi 5.8
LOS LUNAS MIDDLE Los Lunas 10.5 mi 5.6
CENTURY ALT HIGH Los Lunas 10.3 mi 5.5
RAYMOND GABALDON ELEMENTARY Los Lunas 10.7 mi 6.9
SUNDANCE ELEMENTARY Los Lunas 10.9 mi 6.5

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
MESA MIDDLE Roswell, NM 3.8
THOREAU MIDDLE Thoreau, NM 3.7
JIMMY CARTER MIDDLE Albuquerque, NM 3.9
YUCCA MIDDLE Clovis, NM 3.6
CHAPARRAL MIDDLE Alamogordo, NM 4.3
ZIA MIDDLE Las Cruces, NM 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Belen Middle

What grades does Belen Middle serve?

Belen Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Belen Middle?

Belen Middle has an enrollment of approximately 493 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Belen Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Belen Middle is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Belen Middle rank in NM?

Belen Middle ranks #817 of 864 schools in NM.

What is Belen Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Belen Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Belen Middle has 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Belen Middle a charter school?

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

Is Belen Middle a Title I school?

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

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

89.9% of students at Belen Middle 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
61 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
50 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
493
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
89.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Small Suburb
County
Valencia County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
70.6%

District

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

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