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Excellent

#30 of 864 schools in NM

Top 3% in state

Cottonwood Valley Charter

Elementary School · SOCORRO

PO BOX 1829, Socorro, NM 87801

Charter

Enrollment

170

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

8.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

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

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.

Cottonwood Valley Charter School (CVCS) is a public school of choice serving students from Kindergarten through 8th grade 1 . The school operates with a parent-driven mission, emphasizing partnerships among teachers, students, and families 1 . Its academic program focuses on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math), utilizing an integrated approach to foster critical and creative thinking 1 . Instruction takes place both indoors and outdoors, with students learning together and independently 1 . The school has been recognized as a “Spotlight” school in the latest NMPED ratings for the third consecutive year, placing it in the top 25% in New Mexico 1 . CVCS provides resources such as weekly newsletters, board meeting minutes, and transportation information 1 . It also utilizes the STOPit anonymous reporting app and maintains an Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression (ARAO) Portal 1 . Volunteers are encouraged to participate in field trips, classroom activities, and school events 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. www.cottonwoodvalley.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

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 metrics
Student Progress9.5Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.6Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected+25.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.4Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,102

Cottonwood Valley Charter — Students at Cottonwood Valley Charter score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 39.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 49.5%
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
32%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
57%

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.

Overall Score
8.9/10
97th percentile in NM
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
85%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

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.

10 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
52 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
65 Bikeable
County Safety
Average (429/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SOCORRO
District Enrollment
1,334
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,631
District Rank
#1 of 6

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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