Average
#375 of 864 schools in NM
Top 43% in state
Central Elementary
Middle School · BELEN
520 NORTH MAIN ST, Belen, NM 87002
Enrollment
183
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
6.6
Grades
4th – 6th
Enrollment
183
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
6.6
Grades
4th – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Belen
#5 of 10
public schools
New Mexico middle schools
#69 of 155
In district
#5 of 10
BELEN
About Central Elementary
Central Elementary is a regular public middle school located in Belen, New Mexico. Serving students from fourth to sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 183 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.1:1 with 14 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The academic performance at Central Elementary is rated at 5.2 out of 10 by MySchoolScout.com, placing it in the 48th percentile among New Mexico schools.
In terms of test scores, 24% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 23% meet proficiency standards in Math. Central Elementary is situated in a small suburban area where the community values its role in supporting student development and academic growth. Despite current challenges, the school continues to focus on providing a nurturing environment that encourages learning and personal growth for all students.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 183 students, Central Elementary 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Central Elementary — Students at Central Elementary score 24% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
92.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 4 test records from NM state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.4/10.
How Central Elementary Compares
See how Central Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 19% (2019) to 27% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 22% (2022).
Location
520 NORTH MAIN ST, Belen, NM 87002
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Elementary may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. VALENCIA MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Los Lunas), with a comparable rating. Another option is LOS LUNAS MIDDLE (rated 5.1/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Los Lunas), a more accessible option. Additionally, BELEN MIDDLE (rated 4.6/10, 0.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Belen, see our Belen schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BELEN INFINITY HIGH Belen | 0.5 mi | 5.2 |
| ST MARY'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL BELEN Belen | 0.4 mi | 7.7 |
| BELEN MIDDLE Belen | 0.6 mi | 4.6 |
| BELEN HIGH Belen | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| RIO GRANDE ELEMENTARY Belen | 1.2 mi | 9.0 |
| BELEN FAMILY SCHOOL Belen | 1.2 mi | 7.7 |
| CANON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Belen | 1.4 mi | 6.1 |
| DEL RIO ACADEMY Los Lunas | 2.7 mi | 3.4 |
| LA MERCED ELEMENTARY Belen | 2.7 mi | 5.3 |
| GIL SANCHEZ ELEMENTARY Belen | 4.0 mi | 7.0 |
| DENNIS CHAVEZ ELEMENTARY Belen | 4.4 mi | 8.4 |
| TOME ELEMENTARY Los Lunas | 6.4 mi | 6.3 |
| VALENCIA MIDDLE SCHOOL Los Lunas | 7.0 mi | 5.9 |
| DESERT VIEW ELEMENTARY Los Lunas | 7.7 mi | 5.2 |
| SCHOOL OF DREAMS ACADEMY Los Lunas | 9.3 mi | 5.8 |
| VALENCIA HIGH Los Lunas | 8.6 mi | 6.2 |
| LOS LUNAS MIDDLE Los Lunas | 9.9 mi | 5.1 |
| CENTURY ALT HIGH Los Lunas | 9.8 mi | 4.9 |
| RAYMOND GABALDON ELEMENTARY Los Lunas | 10.2 mi | 6.9 |
| SUNDANCE ELEMENTARY Los Lunas | 10.3 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 Central Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| SIERRA VISTA ELEMENTARY Las Vegas, NM | 6.6 |
| ZUNI MIDDLE Zuni, NM | 6.5 |
| CROWNPOINT MIDDLE Crownpoint, NM | 6.8 |
| TUCUMCARI MIDDLE Tucumcari, NM | 6.3 |
| DULCE MIDDLE Dulce, NM | 6.2 |
| NAVAJO MIDDLE SCHOOL Navajo, NM | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Elementary
What grades does Central Elementary serve?
Central Elementary serves students in grades 4th through 6th.
How many students attend Central Elementary?
Central Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 183 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central Elementary rank in NM?
Central Elementary is ranked #375 out of 864 schools in NM.
What is Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elementary has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Central Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Elementary has 23.0% math proficiency and 24.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Central Elementary a charter school?
No, Central Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central Elementary a Title I school?
No, Central Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Elementary?
92.3% of students at Central Elementary 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 (5,394/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Belen). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 4th – 6th
- Enrollment
- 183
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 92.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Valencia County
- Phone
- (505) 966-1200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
BELEN- District Enrollment
- 3,564
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,218
- District Rank
- #5 of 10
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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