Excellent
#30 of 864 schools in NM
Top 3% in state
Cottonwood Valley Charter
Elementary School · SOCORRO
PO BOX 1829, Socorro, NM 87801
Enrollment
170
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
170
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Socorro
#1 of 4
public schools
New Mexico elementary schools
#21 of 468
In district
#1 of 6
SOCORRO
Academic performance
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Cottonwood Valley Charter
Cottonwood Valley Charter is a K–8 public charter school in Socorro, New Mexico, serving 170 students. With a composite score of 9.4 out of 10 and an Exceptional designation, it stands out even by the high standards of New Mexico's top-tier charter sector. The numbers tell a clear story.
Cottonwood Valley ranks #11 of 864 public schools in New Mexico, outperforming 99% of schools statewide, and places #9 of 468 New Mexico elementary schools. Within Socorro, it holds the top spot among all four public schools. Academic scores reach 9.6/10 and growth scores hit 9.5/10 — both elite marks — signaling that students here master grade-level content and advance quickly.
The school runs on a student-teacher ratio of 15.5 to 1, and its K–8 span keeps families from navigating a separate middle-school transition. At 170 students total, it operates at a scale where individual students don't get lost. For Socorro families weighing options, the performance data puts Cottonwood Valley in a different tier from any other local school.
What's said publicly about Cottonwood Valley Charter
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.
Sources (1)
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 170 students, Cottonwood Valley Charter is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Cottonwood Valley Charter is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Cottonwood Valley Charter — Students at Cottonwood Valley Charter score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84.7%
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: 9.5/10.
How Cottonwood Valley Charter Compares
See how Cottonwood Valley Charter performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 57% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 1829, Socorro, NM 87801
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cottonwood Valley Charter may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MAGDALENA ELEMENTARY (rated 8.1/10, 19.5 miles away, in nearby Magdalena), with a comparable rating. Another option is PARKVIEW ELEMENTARY (rated 7.8/10, 0.8 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, MIDWAY ELEMENTARY (rated 7.5/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Polvadera), a more accessible option. For more schools in Socorro, see our Socorro schools guide .
Nearby Schools
9 within 27.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PARKVIEW ELEMENTARY Socorro | 0.8 mi | 7.8 |
| SOCORRO HIGH Socorro | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| R. SARRACINO MIDDLE Socorro | 1.6 mi | 7.1 |
| MIDWAY ELEMENTARY Polvadera | 8.2 mi | 7.5 |
| SAN ANTONIO ELEMENTARY San Antonio | 10.2 mi | 5.1 |
| MAGDALENA HIGH Magdalena | 19.5 mi | 7.4 |
| MAGDALENA ELEMENTARY Magdalena | 19.5 mi | 8.1 |
| MAGDALENA MIDDLE Magdalena | 19.5 mi | 9.2 |
| LA PROMESA ELEMENTARY Belen | 27.7 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 87801 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,032
Median Home Value
$165,700
Median Rent
$676/mo
Population
9,309
College Educated
26.7%
Homeownership
63.9%
Poverty Rate
23.6%
Median Age
39.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cottonwood Valley Charter has a median household income of $54,032. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $165,700, with a median rent of $676/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CUBERO ELEMENTARY Grants, NM | 8.8 |
| DORA ELEMENTARY Dora, NM | 8.8 |
| LONGFELLOW ELEMENTARY Albuquerque, NM | 8.8 |
| MOUNTAIN MAHOGANY COMMUNITY SCHOOL Albuquerque, NM | 9.0 |
| ST BONAVENTURE SCHOOL Thoreau, NM | 8.8 |
| ARREY ELEMENTARY Arrey, NM | 9.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cottonwood Valley Charter
What grades does Cottonwood Valley Charter serve?
Cottonwood Valley Charter serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Cottonwood Valley Charter?
Cottonwood Valley Charter has an enrollment of approximately 170 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Valley Charter?
The student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Valley Charter is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cottonwood Valley Charter rank in NM?
Cottonwood Valley Charter is ranked #30 out of 864 schools in NM.
What is Cottonwood Valley Charter's MySchoolScout rating?
Cottonwood Valley Charter has a composite rating of 8.9 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 Valley Charter?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cottonwood Valley Charter has 39.5% math proficiency and 49.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cottonwood Valley Charter a charter school?
Yes, Cottonwood Valley Charter is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Cottonwood Valley Charter a Title I school?
No, Cottonwood Valley Charter is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cottonwood Valley Charter?
84.7% of students at Cottonwood Valley Charter 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 – 8th
- Enrollment
- 170
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 84.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Socorro County
- Phone
- (575) 838-2026
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
SOCORRO- District Enrollment
- 1,334
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,631
- District Rank
- #1 of 6
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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