Below Average
#732 of 864 schools in NM
Caton Middle
Middle School · EUNICE
PO BOX 129, Eunice, NM 88231
Enrollment
163
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
4.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
163
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
4.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Eunice
#3 of 3
public schools
New Mexico middle schools
#136 of 155
In district
#3 of 3
EUNICE
School environment
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Caton Middle
CATON MIDDLE is a regular public middle school in Eunice, New Mexico, located in the remote rural Lea County. The school serves students from sixth through eighth grade with an enrollment of 163 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.5:1, which allows for individualized attention. CATON MIDDLE has 13 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse student body.
Academically, the school is rated at the 25th percentile in New Mexico, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 3.9 out of 10 and an Academic Score of 2.7 out of 10. In ELA/Reading, 29% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, only 9% meet proficiency standards. While these scores indicate areas for improvement, CATON MIDDLE is focused on developing a strong foundation for its students and providing the support they need to thrive.
The school's setting in a remote rural area means that it plays an essential role in the community by offering educational resources and activities tailored to the local environment.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 163 students, Caton Middle 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, Caton Middle 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Caton Middle — Students at Caton Middle score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
58.9%
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: 4.4/10.
How Caton Middle Compares
See how Caton Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 7.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 22% (2019) to 22% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 129, Eunice, NM 88231
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Caton Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. HOUSTON MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.7/10, 18.4 miles away, in nearby Hobbs), which scores slightly higher. Another option is HIGHLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.7/10, 20.2 miles away, in nearby Hobbs), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, HEIZER MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.5/10, 16.8 miles away, in nearby Hobbs), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Eunice, see our Eunice schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 20.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| METTIE JORDAN ELEMENTARY Eunice | 0.1 mi | 6.1 |
| EUNICE HIGH Eunice | 0.2 mi | 5.2 |
| EUNICE HOLINESS ACADEMY Eunice | 0.7 mi | — |
| HEIZER MIDDLE SCHOOL Hobbs | 16.8 mi | 5.5 |
| SOUTHERN HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY Hobbs | 17.4 mi | 5.0 |
| EDISON ELEMENTARY Hobbs | 17.8 mi | 3.2 |
| BOOKER T. WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY Hobbs | 17.8 mi | 3.1 |
| HOUSTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Hobbs | 18.4 mi | 5.7 |
| JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY Hobbs | 18.4 mi | 5.2 |
| MURRAY ELEMENTARY Hobbs | 18.5 mi | 4.5 |
| WILL ROGERS ELEMENTARY Hobbs | 18.6 mi | 3.2 |
| HOBBS HIGH Hobbs | 18.9 mi | 5.7 |
| HOBBS FRESHMAN HIGH Hobbs | 18.9 mi | 2.6 |
| BROADMOOR ELEMENTARY Hobbs | 19.2 mi | 7.9 |
| TAYLOR ELEMENTARY Hobbs | 19.4 mi | 6.1 |
| SANGER ELEMENTARY Hobbs | 19.7 mi | 7.4 |
| ST HELENA SCHOOL OF HOBBS, INC. Hobbs | 20.0 mi | 5.8 |
| HIGHLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL Hobbs | 20.2 mi | 5.7 |
| CORONADO ELEMENTARY Hobbs | 20.3 mi | 5.6 |
| MILLS ELEMENTARY Hobbs | 20.4 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 88231 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,019
Median Home Value
$151,800
Median Rent
$749/mo
Population
3,360
College Educated
4.3%
Homeownership
78.8%
Poverty Rate
13.6%
Median Age
34.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Caton Middle has a median household income of $72,019. It is a community where 4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $151,800, with a median rent of $749/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.6%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| UNION ELEMENTARY Las Vegas, NM | 4.8 |
| SOUTH VALLEY PREP Albuquerque, NM | 4.6 |
| PECOS MIDDLE Pecos, NM | 5.0 |
| SIXTH GRADE ACADEMY Pojoaque, NM | 5.0 |
| SNELL MIDDLE Bayard, NM | 5.0 |
| JAL JR HIGH Jal, NM | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Caton Middle
What grades does Caton Middle serve?
Caton Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Caton Middle?
Caton Middle has an enrollment of approximately 163 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Caton Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Caton Middle is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Caton Middle rank in NM?
Caton Middle is ranked #732 out of 864 schools in NM.
What is Caton Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Caton Middle has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Caton Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Caton Middle has 9.0% math proficiency and 28.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Caton Middle a charter school?
No, Caton Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Caton Middle a Title I school?
No, Caton Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Caton Middle?
58.9% of students at Caton 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,134/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Eunice). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 163
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 58.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Lea County
- Phone
- (575) 394-3338
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
EUNICE- District Enrollment
- 722
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,978
- 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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