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Below Average

#771 of 864 schools in NM

Cielo Azul Elementary

Elementary School · RIO RANCHO

3804 SHILOH RD NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144

Enrollment

644

Student-Teacher

20.1:1

Score

4.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Mexico schools

#771 of 864

In Rio Rancho

#18 of 22

public schools

In district

#16 of 20

RIO RANCHO

Academic performance

8.2 / 10

Excellent

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Cielo Azul Elementary

4.3/10

Elementary School in Rio Rancho · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Colinas Del Norte Elementary

5.8/10

1.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Shining Stars Preschool

3.8/10

3.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Cielo Azul Elementary

Cielo Azul Elementary is a public elementary school in Rio Rancho, NM, part of RIO RANCHO. Cielo Azul Elementary serves approximately 644 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 20.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Cielo Azul Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #771 of 864 schools in NM.

Structured state assessment records for Cielo Azul Elementary show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 4.3 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.8
  • NM avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Cielo Azul Elementary runs 20.1:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Cielo Azul Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

37% of students at Cielo Azul 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 metrics
Student Progress2.5Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-3.3 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency43% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency41% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+1.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile73th
Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,392
Chronic Absenteeism37%

Cielo Azul Elementary — Students at Cielo Azul Elementary score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 43.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 44.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 23 test records from NM state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
66%
ELA
65%
2010
Math
63%
ELA
60%
2011
Math
66%
ELA
68%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
61%
2013
Math
54%
ELA
58%
2014
Math
28%
ELA
38%
2015
Math
34%
ELA
24%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2017
Math
35%
2018
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2019
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
38%
ELA
43%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.5/10.

How Cielo Azul Elementary Compares

See how Cielo Azul Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.3/10
11th percentile in NM
Academic
8.2/10
Excellent
Growth
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
37.0%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. JOE HARRIS ELEMENTARY (rated 6.4/10, 6.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is COLINAS DEL NORTE ELEMENTARY (rated 5.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST THOMAS AQUINAS SCHOOL (rated 5.5/10, 4.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 5.8
SHINING STARS PRESCHOOL Rio Rancho 3.0 mi 3.8
EAGLE RIDGE MIDDLE Rio Rancho 3.4 mi 5.9
ERNEST STAPLETON ELEMENTARY Rio Rancho 3.6 mi 5.2
RIO RANCHO MIDDLE SCHOOL Rio Rancho 3.7 mi 5.4
LINCOLN MIDDLE Rio Rancho 4.3 mi 4.6
CLEVELAND HIGH SCHOOL Rio Rancho 3.6 mi 5.8
RIO RANCHO HIGH Rio Rancho 4.2 mi 6.0
ST THOMAS AQUINAS SCHOOL Rio Rancho 4.8 mi 5.5
GOSPEL LIGHT BAPTIST ACADEMY Rio Rancho 5.3 mi 7.5
PUESTA DEL SOL ELEMENTARY Rio Rancho 5.5 mi 3.5
MAGGIE CORDOVA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rio Rancho 5.7 mi 3.6
THE ASK ACADEMY Rio Rancho 5.3 mi 7.9
MARTIN KING JR ELEMENTARY Rio Rancho 5.8 mi 4.8
INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL Rio Rancho 5.5 mi 4.7
ENCHANTED HILLS ELEMENTARY Rio Rancho 5.3 mi 4.3
RIO RANCHO ELEMENTARY Rio Rancho 5.9 mi 4.7
VISTA GRANDE ELEMENTARY Rio Rancho 5.3 mi 5.2
RIO RANCHO CYBER ACADEMY Rio Rancho 6.2 mi 7.6
JOE HARRIS ELEMENTARY Rio Rancho 6.5 mi 6.4

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
ENCHANTED HILLS ELEMENTARY Rio Rancho, NM 4.3
TUCUMCARI ELEMENTARY Tucumcari, NM 4.3
FAIRACRES ELEMENTARY Las Cruces, NM 4.4
CENTRAL PRIMARY Bloomfield, NM 4.5
LAVALAND ELEMENTARY Albuquerque, NM 4.5
PAINTED SKY ELEMENTARY Albuquerque, NM 4.5

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 ranks #771 of 864 schools in NM.

What is Cielo Azul Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Cielo Azul Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 Cielo Azul Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cielo Azul Elementary has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
16 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
37.0%

District

RIO RANCHO
District Enrollment
16,725
Schools in District
21
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,392
District Rank
#16 of 20

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