Very Good
#289 of 864 schools in NM
Top 33% in state
Des Moines High
High School · DES MOINES
500 DES MOINES AVENUE, Des Moines, NM 88418
Enrollment
58
Student-Teacher
8.3:1
Score
7.0
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
58
Student-Teacher
8.3:1
Score
7.0
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#2 of 2
public schools
New Mexico high schools
#52 of 193
In district
#2 of 2
DES MOINES
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Des Moines High
Des Moines High serves 58 students in grades 7-12 in the small community of Des Moines, New Mexico. This regular public school operates with just 7 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an exceptionally intimate learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 8.3:1. Despite its remote rural location, Des Moines High delivers impressive academic results, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranking #27 out of 874 schools statewide, placing it in the 97th percentile.
The school achieves a strong 9.1 academic score, with 50% of students performing at proficient or above levels in both English Language Arts and Mathematics across all tested grades. The school's success likely benefits from its small size, which allows for highly personalized attention and strong teacher-student relationships. This close-knit educational environment enables teachers to know each student well and tailor instruction to individual needs.
Des Moines High sits in Union County's ZIP code 88418, a tight-knit rural community of just 542 residents. The area maintains a median household income of $58,854 with relatively affordable housing at a median home value of $159,600. With a low poverty rate of 8.9% and 25% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, the school serves a stable, working-class community in New Mexico's remote northeastern corner.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 58 students, Des Moines High 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.3:1, Des Moines High offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Des Moines High 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Des Moines High — Students at Des Moines High score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
17.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from NM state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.1/10.
How Des Moines High Compares
See how Des Moines High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 44.5% (2019) to 49.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 74.5% (2019) to 49.5% (2022).
Location
500 DES MOINES AVENUE, Des Moines, NM 88418
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Des Moines High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. DES MOINES ELEMENTARY (rated 9.3/10), which scores notably higher. Another option is Branson School (rated 6.3/10, 18.2 miles away, in nearby Branson), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Branson School Online (rated 6.3/10, 18.2 miles away, in nearby Branson), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
5 within 42.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| DES MOINES ELEMENTARY Des Moines | 0.0 mi | 9.3 |
| Branson School Branson | 18.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Branson School Online Branson | 18.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Kim Elementary School Kim | 42.9 mi | — |
| Kim Undivided High School Kim | 42.9 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 88418 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,792
Median Home Value
$160,900
Median Rent
$713/mo
Population
493
College Educated
20.9%
Homeownership
66.9%
Poverty Rate
13.4%
Median Age
31.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Des Moines High has a median household income of $74,792. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $160,900, with a median rent of $713/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.4%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| FLOYD HIGH Floyd, NM | 7.1 |
| CORONADO HIGH Gallina, NM | 7.2 |
| ROY HIGH Roy, NM | 6.8 |
| GCCS EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL Grants, NM | 6.7 |
| HONDO HIGH Hondo, NM | 6.7 |
| LAKE ARTHUR HIGH Lake Arthur, NM | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Des Moines High
What grades does Des Moines High serve?
Des Moines High serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Des Moines High?
Des Moines High has an enrollment of approximately 58 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Des Moines High?
The student-teacher ratio at Des Moines High is 8.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Des Moines High rank in NM?
Des Moines High is ranked #289 out of 864 schools in NM.
What is Des Moines High's MySchoolScout rating?
Des Moines High has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Des Moines High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Des Moines High has 47.8% math proficiency and 71.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Des Moines High a charter school?
No, Des Moines High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Des Moines High a Title I school?
No, Des Moines High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Des Moines High?
17.2% of students at Des Moines High 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 58
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 17.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Union County
- Phone
- (575) 278-2611
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
DES MOINES- District Enrollment
- 137
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $24,675
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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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