Needs Improvement
#808 of 864 schools in NM
Capitan High
High School · CAPITAN
519 SMOKEY BEAR BLVD, Capitan, NM 88316
Enrollment
152
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
3.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
152
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
3.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Capitan
#3 of 3
public schools
New Mexico high schools
#181 of 193
In district
#3 of 3
CAPITAN
School environment
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Capitan High
Capitan High is a rural high school located in Capitan, New Mexico, on Smokey Bear Boulevard. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 152 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 10.9:1 with 14 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its small size and remote setting, Capitan High offers a range of programs to support its diverse student body.
Academically, Capitan High currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10, ranking it #498 among 874 schools in New Mexico. The school's state academic score is 4.3/10, with 47% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency levels in ELA and reading, while only 14% are proficient in math. While the test scores show areas for improvement, Capitan High focuses on student development and provides a supportive environment to help each student reach their full potential.
Capitan is nestled in a rural area with a close-knit community, making it a tight-knit place where students often participate in local events and activities alongside their studies.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 152 students, Capitan High is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Capitan High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Capitan High — Students at Capitan High score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
35.5%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.8/10.
How Capitan High Compares
See how Capitan High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 30% (2022).
Location
519 SMOKEY BEAR BLVD, Capitan, NM 88316
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Capitan High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. HONDO HIGH (rated 6.7/10, 21.9 miles away, in nearby Hondo), which scores notably higher. Another option is CARRIZOZO HIGH (rated 6.5/10, 18.4 miles away, in nearby Carrizozo), which scores notably higher. Additionally, RUIDOSO HIGH (rated 5.2/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Ruidoso), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Capitan, see our Capitan schools guide .
Nearby Schools
16 within 41.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CAPITAN MIDDLE Capitan | 0.0 mi | 8.4 |
| CAPITAN ELEMENTARY Capitan | 0.0 mi | 6.9 |
| WHITE MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY Ruidoso | 13.6 mi | 5.3 |
| RUIDOSO MIDDLE Ruidoso | 13.7 mi | 6.1 |
| SIERRA VISTA PRIMARY Ruidoso | 13.7 mi | 6.8 |
| RUIDOSO HIGH Ruidoso | 14.1 mi | 5.2 |
| CARRIZOZO ELEMENTARY Carrizozo | 18.4 mi | 8.8 |
| CARRIZOZO HIGH Carrizozo | 18.4 mi | 6.5 |
| CARRIZOZO MIDDLE Carrizozo | 18.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Mescalero Apache School Mescalero | 23.9 mi | — |
| HONDO HIGH Hondo | 21.9 mi | 6.7 |
| HONDO ELEMENTARY Hondo | 22.0 mi | 8.0 |
| TULAROSA MIDDLE Tularosa | 41.0 mi | 7.9 |
| TULAROSA ELEMENTARY Tularosa | 41.0 mi | 7.4 |
| TULAROSA INTERMEDIATE Tularosa | 41.1 mi | 4.6 |
| TULAROSA HIGH Tularosa | 41.3 mi | 4.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 88316 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,788
Median Home Value
$164,800
Median Rent
$963/mo
Population
2,319
College Educated
25.9%
Homeownership
90.6%
Poverty Rate
8.9%
Median Age
58.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Capitan High has a median household income of $67,788. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $164,800, with a median rent of $963/month. The local poverty rate of 8.9% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| MORA HIGH Mora, NM | 3.8 |
| TEXICO HIGH Texico, NM | 3.8 |
| NEW AMERICA SCHOOL Albuquerque, NM | 3.6 |
| RIO RANCHO CYBER ACADEMY Rio Rancho, NM | 4.2 |
| INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL Rio Rancho, NM | 4.3 |
| LAGUNA-ACOMA HIGH Grants, NM | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Capitan High
What grades does Capitan High serve?
Capitan High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Capitan High?
Capitan High has an enrollment of approximately 152 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Capitan High?
The student-teacher ratio at Capitan High is 10.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Capitan High rank in NM?
Capitan High is ranked #808 out of 864 schools in NM.
What is Capitan High's MySchoolScout rating?
Capitan High has a composite rating of 3.9 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 Capitan High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Capitan High has 14.0% math proficiency and 47.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Capitan High a charter school?
No, Capitan High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Capitan High a Title I school?
No, Capitan High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Capitan High?
35.5% of students at Capitan 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
- City Safety
- Elevated (863/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Capitan). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 152
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 35.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Lincoln County
- Phone
- (575) 354-2239
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
CAPITAN- District Enrollment
- 460
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,953
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
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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