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Needs Improvement

#856 of 864 schools in NM

Carlsbad High

High School · CARLSBAD

3000 W. CHURCH, Carlsbad, NM 88220

Enrollment

1,623

Student-Teacher

20.3:1

Score

3.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Carlsbad

#13 of 13

public schools

New Mexico high schools

#190 of 193

In district

#13 of 13

CARLSBAD

About Carlsbad High

Carlsbad High serves 1,623 students in grades 9-12 in Carlsbad, New Mexico, with a student-teacher ratio of 20.3:1 and 80 full-time equivalent teachers. As one of the larger high schools in the state, Carlsbad High is working to strengthen its academic performance, with room for significant growth in both English Language Arts, where 23% of students score proficient or above, and mathematics, where 7% reach proficiency. The school ranks in the 7th percentile statewide, positioning it among schools focused on student development and improvement.

With its substantial enrollment, Carlsbad High offers the potential for diverse programming and activities that can benefit from a larger student body, though academic outcomes suggest ongoing efforts are needed to maximize student achievement. The surrounding community in the 88220 zip code reflects a stable economic base, with a median household income of $79,809 and median home values around $180,700. About 19% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 11.8% among the area's nearly 40,000 residents.

Carlsbad High is situated in a rural area near the town of Carlsbad, providing students with a small-town atmosphere while being part of a larger educational community in southeastern New Mexico's Eddy County.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Carlsbad High is 20.3:1, 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.

Located in a rural area, Carlsbad 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

Partial Profile · 3/4 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics3.1Fair33%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency23%
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected-27.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
College Readiness3.7Fair40%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation13.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement27%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,509

Carlsbad High — Students at Carlsbad High score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 7.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 23.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 2 test records from NM state assessments. About our data

How Carlsbad High Compares

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

Overall Score
3.1/10
1th percentile in NM
Academic
3.1/10
3.1/10
Environment
2.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
80 teachers

Location

3000 W. CHURCH, Carlsbad, NM 88220

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Carlsbad High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. LOVING HIGH (rated 5.0/10, 14.4 miles away, in nearby Loving), which scores notably higher. Another option is CARLSBAD EARLY COLLEGE HIGH (rated 4.8/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ARTESIA HIGH (rated 3.6/10, 29.5 miles away, in nearby Artesia), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Carlsbad, see our Carlsbad schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 29.5 mi
School Distance Rating
CARLSBAD EARLY COLLEGE HIGH Carlsbad 0.8 mi 4.8
SUNSET ELEMENTARY Carlsbad 1.1 mi 5.7
CARLSBAD SIXTH GRADE ACADEMY - ALTA VISTA CAMPUS Carlsbad 1.4 mi 3.7
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTER Carlsbad 1.5 mi 4.6
HILLCREST PRESCHOOL Carlsbad 1.5 mi 5.7
COTTONWOOD ELEMENTARY Carlsbad 1.6 mi 3.9
OCOTILLO ELEMENTARY Carlsbad 1.8 mi 6.3
MONTERREY ELEMENTARY Carlsbad 1.7 mi 6.2
CARLSBAD INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL - PR LEYVA CAMPUS Carlsbad 1.7 mi 4.0
JEFFERSON MONTESSORI Carlsbad 1.9 mi 4.5
CARLSBAD ENRICHMENT CENTER Carlsbad 2.0 mi 4.3
DESERT WILLOW ELEMENTARY Carlsbad 3.7 mi 5.1
LOVING ELEMENTARY Loving 14.3 mi 7.1
LOVING MIDDLE Loving 14.4 mi 7.4
LOVING HIGH Loving 14.4 mi 5.0
HERMOSA ELEMENTARY Artesia 28.5 mi 7.4
ARTESIA ZIA INTERMEDIATE Artesia 29.0 mi 6.1
YESO ELEMENTARY Artesia 29.1 mi 7.4
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Artesia 29.2 mi 5.9
ARTESIA HIGH Artesia 29.5 mi 3.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 88220 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,668

Median Home Value

$192,600

Median Rent

$1,218/mo

Population

40,151

College Educated

20.4%

Homeownership

75.5%

Avg Commute

21.5 min

Poverty Rate

12%

Median Age

37.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Carlsbad High has a median household income of $79,668. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $192,600, with a median rent of $1,218/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.0%. The average commute for residents is 22 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
MIYAMURA HIGH SCHOOL Gallup, NM 2.8
PIEDRA VISTA HIGH Farmington, NM 3.8
GALLUP HIGH Gallup, NM 2.3
CLOVIS HIGH Clovis, NM 4.3
ROSWELL HIGH Roswell, NM 4.4
ALAMOGORDO HIGH Alamogordo, NM 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Carlsbad High

What grades does Carlsbad High serve?

Carlsbad High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Carlsbad High?

Carlsbad High has an enrollment of approximately 1,623 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Carlsbad High?

The student-teacher ratio at Carlsbad High is 20.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Carlsbad High rank in NM?

Carlsbad High is ranked #856 out of 864 schools in NM.

What is Carlsbad High's MySchoolScout rating?

Carlsbad High has a composite rating of 3.1 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 Carlsbad High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carlsbad High has 7.0% math proficiency and 23.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Carlsbad High a charter school?

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

Is Carlsbad High a Title I school?

No, Carlsbad High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carlsbad High?

32.5% of students at Carlsbad 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
City Safety
High (3,338/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,623
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
80
Free/Reduced Lunch
32.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Eddy County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

CARLSBAD
District Enrollment
7,343
Schools in District
14
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,304
District Rank
#13 of 13

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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