Very Good
#164 of 864 schools in NM
Top 19% in state
Cielo Azul Elementary
Elementary School · RIO RANCHO
3804 SHILOH RD NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144
Enrollment
644
Student-Teacher
20.1:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
644
Student-Teacher
20.1:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Rio Rancho
#2 of 22
public schools
New Mexico elementary schools
#99 of 468
In district
#2 of 20
RIO RANCHO
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Cielo Azul Elementary
Cielo Azul Elementary serves 644 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Rio Rancho's growing community. With 32 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 20.1:1 student-teacher ratio while earning strong recognition across New Mexico. The school has achieved impressive statewide standing, ranking 114th out of 874 elementary schools in New Mexico, placing it in the 87th percentile.
This performance earns Cielo Azul a solid 7.6 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout, with particularly strong marks in its academic score of 8.3 out of 10. In English Language Arts and reading, 34% of students perform at proficient or above levels, while 32% reach proficiency in mathematics. The school draws families from an economically stable community where the median household income reaches $84,303 and home values average $259,400.
With 34% of area residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of just 7.7%, the surrounding neighborhood provides a supportive educational environment. Cielo Azul Elementary's success reflects both its dedicated teaching staff and the engaged community it serves. Located in a rural setting near town, the school offers students the benefits of a quieter learning environment while remaining connected to Rio Rancho's amenities and opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Cielo Azul Elementary is 20.1:1, 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, Cielo Azul Elementary 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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Cielo Azul Elementary — Students at Cielo Azul Elementary score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
43.9%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.6/10.
How Cielo Azul Elementary Compares
See how Cielo Azul Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 25% (2019) to 38% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 25% (2019) to 43% (2022).
Location
3804 SHILOH RD NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cielo Azul Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MARTIN KING JR ELEMENTARY (rated 8.1/10, 5.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is RIO RANCHO ELEMENTARY (rated 7.6/10, 5.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, COLINAS DEL NORTE ELEMENTARY (rated 6.4/10, 1.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Rio Rancho, see our Rio Rancho schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| COLINAS DEL NORTE ELEMENTARY Rio Rancho | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| SHINING STARS PRESCHOOL Rio Rancho | 3.0 mi | 5.8 |
| EAGLE RIDGE MIDDLE Rio Rancho | 3.4 mi | 7.1 |
| ERNEST STAPLETON ELEMENTARY Rio Rancho | 3.6 mi | 5.8 |
| RIO RANCHO MIDDLE SCHOOL Rio Rancho | 3.7 mi | 7.5 |
| LINCOLN MIDDLE Rio Rancho | 4.3 mi | 7.5 |
| CLEVELAND HIGH SCHOOL Rio Rancho | 3.6 mi | 7.6 |
| RIO RANCHO HIGH Rio Rancho | 4.2 mi | 7.4 |
| ST THOMAS AQUINAS SCHOOL Rio Rancho | 4.8 mi | 5.4 |
| GOSPEL LIGHT BAPTIST ACADEMY Rio Rancho | 5.3 mi | 7.5 |
| PUESTA DEL SOL ELEMENTARY Rio Rancho | 5.5 mi | 4.6 |
| MAGGIE CORDOVA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rio Rancho | 5.7 mi | 5.3 |
| THE ASK ACADEMY Rio Rancho | 5.3 mi | 6.7 |
| MARTIN KING JR ELEMENTARY Rio Rancho | 5.8 mi | 8.1 |
| INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL Rio Rancho | 5.5 mi | 4.3 |
| ENCHANTED HILLS ELEMENTARY Rio Rancho | 5.3 mi | 5.8 |
| RIO RANCHO ELEMENTARY Rio Rancho | 5.9 mi | 7.6 |
| VISTA GRANDE ELEMENTARY Rio Rancho | 5.3 mi | 4.5 |
| RIO RANCHO CYBER ACADEMY Rio Rancho | 6.2 mi | 4.2 |
| JOE HARRIS ELEMENTARY Rio Rancho | 6.5 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 87144 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$90,973
Median Home Value
$280,600
Median Rent
$1,670/mo
Population
49,976
College Educated
34%
Homeownership
86.2%
Avg Commute
33.1 min
Poverty Rate
8.5%
Median Age
37.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cielo Azul Elementary has a median household income of $90,973. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $280,600, with a median rent of $1,670/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| CONLEE ELEMENTARY Las Cruces, NM | 7.7 |
| KATHERINE GALLEGOS ELEMENTARY Los Lunas, NM | 7.7 |
| MONTERREY ELEMENTARY Roswell, NM | 7.7 |
| NORTH STAR ELEMENTARY Albuquerque, NM | 7.7 |
| VENTANA RANCH ELEMENTARY Albuquerque, NM | 7.8 |
| LOMA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY Las Cruces, NM | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cielo Azul Elementary
What grades does Cielo Azul Elementary serve?
Cielo Azul Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Cielo Azul Elementary?
Cielo Azul Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 644 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cielo Azul Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Cielo Azul Elementary is 20.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cielo Azul Elementary rank in NM?
Cielo Azul Elementary is ranked #164 out of 864 schools in NM.
What is Cielo Azul Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Cielo Azul Elementary has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Cielo Azul Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cielo Azul Elementary has 31.5% math proficiency and 34.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cielo Azul Elementary a charter school?
No, Cielo Azul Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cielo Azul Elementary a Title I school?
No, Cielo Azul Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cielo Azul Elementary?
43.9% of students at Cielo Azul 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 644
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 43.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Sandoval County
- Phone
- (505) 338-2320
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
RIO RANCHO- District Enrollment
- 16,725
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,392
- District Rank
- #2 of 20
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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