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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.6Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+5.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics8.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38%
Reading/ELA Proficiency43%
Overall Proficiency41%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected+1.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile73th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,377

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 31.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 34.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from NM state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
38%
ELA
43%

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.

Overall Score
7.7/10
81th percentile in NM
Academic
8.2/10
8.2/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
2.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
16 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,662/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Rio Rancho). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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.

Read our full methodology

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