Average
#340 of 864 schools in NM
Top 39% 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
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New Mexico schools
#340 of 864
In Belen
#4 of 10
public schools
In district
#4 of 10
BELEN
Academic growth
7.6 / 10
Very Good
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Central Elementary
Middle School in Belen · grades 4th – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Belen Infinity High
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
St Mary's Catholic School Belen
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Central Elementary
Central Elementary is a public middle school in Belen, NM, part of BELEN. Central Elementary serves approximately 183 students, and covers grades 4th-6th, and has a 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #340 of 864 schools in NM.
Structured state assessment records for Central Elementary show 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 6.6 · Average
- District avg 5.2
- NM avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
At 183 students, Central Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
62% of students at Central Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
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 23 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: 7.6/10.
How Central Elementary Compares
See how Central Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. LOS LUNAS MIDDLE (rated 5.6/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Los Lunas), with a comparable rating. Another option is VALENCIA MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.5/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Los Lunas), a more accessible option. Additionally, BELEN MIDDLE (rated 3.8/10, 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 | 4.7 |
| ST MARY'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL BELEN Belen | 0.4 mi | 7.6 |
| BELEN MIDDLE Belen | 0.6 mi | 3.8 |
| BELEN HIGH Belen | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| RIO GRANDE ELEMENTARY Belen | 1.2 mi | 8.6 |
| BELEN FAMILY SCHOOL Belen | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| 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 | 6.3 |
| GIL SANCHEZ ELEMENTARY Belen | 4.0 mi | 8.8 |
| DENNIS CHAVEZ ELEMENTARY Belen | 4.4 mi | 7.0 |
| TOME ELEMENTARY Los Lunas | 6.4 mi | 5.2 |
| VALENCIA MIDDLE SCHOOL Los Lunas | 7.0 mi | 5.5 |
| DESERT VIEW ELEMENTARY Los Lunas | 7.7 mi | 6.0 |
| SCHOOL OF DREAMS ACADEMY Los Lunas | 9.3 mi | 7.0 |
| VALENCIA HIGH Los Lunas | 8.6 mi | 5.8 |
| LOS LUNAS MIDDLE Los Lunas | 9.9 mi | 5.6 |
| CENTURY ALT HIGH Los Lunas | 9.8 mi | 5.5 |
| RAYMOND GABALDON ELEMENTARY Los Lunas | 10.2 mi | 6.9 |
| SUNDANCE ELEMENTARY Los Lunas | 10.3 mi | 6.5 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CROWNPOINT MIDDLE Crownpoint, NM | 6.7 |
| SOUTH VALLEY PREP Albuquerque, NM | 6.4 |
| TUCUMCARI MIDDLE Tucumcari, NM | 6.9 |
| MEMORIAL MIDDLE Las Vegas, NM | 7.0 |
| TULAROSA MIDDLE Tularosa, NM | 7.0 |
| DULCE MIDDLE Dulce, NM | 6.1 |
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 ranks #340 of 864 schools in NM.
What is Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Central Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Central Elementary has 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 61.7%
- Phone
- (505) 966-1200
Resources & Links
District
BELEN- District Enrollment
- 3,564
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,218
- District Rank
- #4 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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