Needs Improvement
#809 of 864 schools in NM
Based on limited data
Cottonwood Elementary
Elementary School · CARLSBAD
1609 W LEA STREET, Carlsbad, NM 88220
Enrollment
671
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
671
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Carlsbad
#11 of 13
public schools
New Mexico elementary schools
#431 of 468
In district
#11 of 13
CARLSBAD
About Cottonwood Elementary
Cottonwood Elementary in Carlsbad, New Mexico, is a regular public elementary school serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 671 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each child succeed. The dedicated teaching staff includes 42 full-time equivalent teachers who are committed to fostering a supportive learning environment.
Cottonwood Elementary's MySchoolScout rating is 3.7 out of 10, placing it in the 20th percentile among New Mexico schools. The school has room for academic growth, with current proficiency rates showing that 20% of students meet or exceed standards in English Language Arts and Reading, while 19% are proficient or above in Math. Located in a remote town, Cottonwood Elementary benefits from a close-knit community where everyone knows each other.
Despite the challenges posed by its rural setting, the school remains dedicated to providing quality education and supporting the developmental needs of its students.
Score Breakdown
Partial Profile · 2/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Cottonwood Elementary — Students at Cottonwood Elementary score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
49.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 2 test records from NM state assessments. About our data
How Cottonwood Elementary Compares
See how Cottonwood Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
1609 W LEA STREET, Carlsbad, NM 88220
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cottonwood Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HERMOSA ELEMENTARY (rated 7.4/10, 30.0 miles away, in nearby Artesia), which scores notably higher. Another option is YESO ELEMENTARY (rated 7.4/10, 30.6 miles away, in nearby Artesia), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LOVING ELEMENTARY (rated 7.1/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Loving), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Carlsbad, see our Carlsbad schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 31.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTER Carlsbad | 0.1 mi | 4.6 |
| HILLCREST PRESCHOOL Carlsbad | 0.1 mi | 5.7 |
| CARLSBAD SIXTH GRADE ACADEMY - ALTA VISTA CAMPUS Carlsbad | 0.3 mi | 3.7 |
| SUNSET ELEMENTARY Carlsbad | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
| CARLSBAD ENRICHMENT CENTER Carlsbad | 1.2 mi | 4.3 |
| CARLSBAD INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL - PR LEYVA CAMPUS Carlsbad | 1.3 mi | 4.0 |
| JEFFERSON MONTESSORI Carlsbad | 1.5 mi | 4.5 |
| CARLSBAD HIGH Carlsbad | 1.6 mi | 3.1 |
| CARLSBAD EARLY COLLEGE HIGH Carlsbad | 2.3 mi | 4.8 |
| DESERT WILLOW ELEMENTARY Carlsbad | 2.2 mi | 5.1 |
| MONTERREY ELEMENTARY Carlsbad | 2.5 mi | 6.2 |
| OCOTILLO ELEMENTARY Carlsbad | 3.0 mi | 6.3 |
| LOVING ELEMENTARY Loving | 12.7 mi | 7.1 |
| LOVING MIDDLE Loving | 12.7 mi | 7.4 |
| LOVING HIGH Loving | 12.8 mi | 5.0 |
| HERMOSA ELEMENTARY Artesia | 30.0 mi | 7.4 |
| ARTESIA ZIA INTERMEDIATE Artesia | 30.6 mi | 6.1 |
| YESO ELEMENTARY Artesia | 30.6 mi | 7.4 |
| CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Artesia | 30.8 mi | 5.9 |
| ARTESIA HIGH Artesia | 31.0 mi | 3.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 88220 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$79,668
Median Home Value
$192,600
Median Rent
$1,218/mo
Population
40,151
College Educated
20.4%
Homeownership
75.5%
Avg Commute
21.5 min
Poverty Rate
12%
Median Age
37.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cottonwood Elementary has a median household income of $79,668. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $192,600, with a median rent of $1,218/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.0%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| FAIRACRES ELEMENTARY Las Cruces, NM | 3.9 |
| DESERT STAR ELEMENTARY Alamogordo, NM | 3.7 |
| JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY Gallup, NM | 3.6 |
| LA MESA ELEMENTARY Albuquerque, NM | 3.6 |
| MCCORMICK ELEMENTARY Farmington, NM | 4.2 |
| MCKINLEY ELEMENTARY Farmington, NM | 4.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cottonwood Elementary
What grades does Cottonwood Elementary serve?
Cottonwood Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Cottonwood Elementary?
Cottonwood Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 671 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Elementary is 16:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cottonwood Elementary rank in NM?
Cottonwood Elementary is ranked #809 out of 864 schools in NM.
What is Cottonwood Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Cottonwood Elementary has a composite rating of 3.9 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 Cottonwood Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cottonwood Elementary has 19.0% math proficiency and 20.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cottonwood Elementary a charter school?
No, Cottonwood Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cottonwood Elementary a Title I school?
No, Cottonwood Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cottonwood Elementary?
49.9% of students at Cottonwood 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 (3,338/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Carlsbad). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 671
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 42
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 49.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Eddy County
- Phone
- (575) 234-3304
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
CARLSBAD- District Enrollment
- 7,343
- Schools in District
- 14
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,304
- District Rank
- #11 of 13
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.
Read our full methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.