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Below Average

#742 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

4.6

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Belen

#10 of 10

public schools

New Mexico middle schools

#139 of 155

In district

#10 of 10

BELEN

About Belen Middle

Belen Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the small suburban area of Belen, New Mexico. Serving students from seventh to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 493 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.9:1 with 33 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Belen Middle is currently rated at 2.9 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 16th percentile among New Mexico schools.

While test scores show that there's room for improvement—only 24% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 12% in Math—the school is dedicated to student development and support. Belen Middle School focuses on providing a nurturing environment where every child can grow academically and personally. The school is situated in the heart of Belen, offering students easy access to local amenities and community resources that contribute to their overall educational experience.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.5Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13%
Reading/ELA Proficiency19%
Overall Proficiency16%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected-8.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
Resources & Environment5.4Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,063

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 12.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 23.5%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
11%
ELA
28%
2022
Math
13%
ELA
19%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.5/10.

How Belen Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
4.6/10
14th percentile in NM
Academic
4.2/10
4.2/10
Growth
4.5/10
Below average
Environment
5.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
90%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

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 VALENCIA MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 7.4 miles away, in nearby Los Lunas), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LOS LUNAS MIDDLE (rated 5.1/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Los Lunas), which scores slightly 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 5.2
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Belen 0.6 mi 6.6
ST MARY'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL BELEN Belen 0.5 mi 7.7
RIO GRANDE ELEMENTARY Belen 0.9 mi 9.0
BELEN FAMILY SCHOOL Belen 1.0 mi 7.7
BELEN HIGH Belen 1.0 mi 5.0
CANON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Belen 1.9 mi 6.1
LA MERCED ELEMENTARY Belen 2.7 mi 5.3
DEL RIO ACADEMY Los Lunas 3.1 mi 3.4
GIL SANCHEZ ELEMENTARY Belen 3.4 mi 7.0
DENNIS CHAVEZ ELEMENTARY Belen 4.9 mi 8.4
TOME ELEMENTARY Los Lunas 6.9 mi 6.3
VALENCIA MIDDLE SCHOOL Los Lunas 7.4 mi 5.9
DESERT VIEW ELEMENTARY Los Lunas 8.0 mi 5.2
SCHOOL OF DREAMS ACADEMY Los Lunas 9.9 mi 5.8
VALENCIA HIGH Los Lunas 8.9 mi 6.2
LOS LUNAS MIDDLE Los Lunas 10.5 mi 5.1
CENTURY ALT HIGH Los Lunas 10.3 mi 4.9
RAYMOND GABALDON ELEMENTARY Los Lunas 10.7 mi 6.9
SUNDANCE ELEMENTARY Los Lunas 10.9 mi 6.1

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Belen Middle 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
GALLUP MIDDLE Gallup, NM 4.5
YUCCA MIDDLE Clovis, NM 4.5
CARLOS F. VIGIL MIDDLE Espanola, NM 4.7
CHIEF MANUELITO MIDDLE Gallup, NM 4.4
MESA VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL Farmington, NM 4.4
JOHN ADAMS MIDDLE Albuquerque, NM 4.9

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 is ranked #742 out of 864 schools in NM.

What is Belen Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Belen Middle has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Belen Middle has 12.0% math proficiency and 23.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (5,394/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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