Average
#522 of 864 schools in NM
Desert Hills Elementary
Elementary School · LAS CRUCES
505 SOUTH MAIN SUITE 249, Las Cruces, NM 88001
Enrollment
539
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
539
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Las Cruces
#31 of 45
public schools
New Mexico elementary schools
#285 of 468
In district
#27 of 39
LAS CRUCES
Academic performance
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Desert Hills Elementary
Desert Hills Elementary serves 539 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Las Cruces, New Mexico. With 37 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1, providing students with reasonably personalized attention in their learning environment. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranking 118th out of 874 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 87th percentile.
Desert Hills Elementary particularly excels in English Language Arts and reading, with 56% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics shows room for growth, with 34% of students meeting proficiency standards. Located in Doña Ana County, Desert Hills Elementary serves a diverse community where the median household income is $31,701 and 27% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The school operates within a neighborhood where families face economic challenges, with a poverty rate of 37.6%, yet the school continues to deliver solid educational outcomes for its students. Desert Hills Elementary sits in the heart of Las Cruces, a mid-size city that provides students with both urban amenities and the close-knit community feel characteristic of New Mexico's educational landscape.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Desert Hills Elementary — Students at Desert Hills Elementary score 45% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
92.8%
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
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.2/10.
How Desert Hills Elementary Compares
See how Desert Hills Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 46% (2019) to 34% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 53% (2019) to 56% (2022).
Location
505 SOUTH MAIN SUITE 249, Las Cruces, NM 88001
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Hills Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SONOMA ELEMENTARY (rated 8.5/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is UNIVERSITY HILLS ELEMENTARY (rated 8.2/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CONLEE ELEMENTARY (rated 7.7/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Las Cruces, see our Las Cruces schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MISSION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Las Cruces | 1.1 mi | — |
| EXPLORE ACADEMY LAS CRUCES Las Cruces | 1.1 mi | 8.2 |
| HILLRISE ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 1.6 mi | 5.5 |
| SIERRA MIDDLE Las Cruces | 1.5 mi | 6.7 |
| MESILLA VALLEY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Las Cruces | 1.7 mi | 8.2 |
| LYNN MIDDLE Las Cruces | 1.7 mi | 6.3 |
| CAMINO REAL MIDDLE Las Cruces | 1.9 mi | 6.6 |
| HERMOSA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 1.8 mi | 5.8 |
| DESERT SPRINGS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Las Curces | 2.0 mi | 7.3 |
| LOMA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 1.9 mi | 7.6 |
| CONLEE ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 2.2 mi | 7.7 |
| CENTENNIAL HIGH SCHOOL Las Cruces | 2.1 mi | 6.8 |
| BOOKER T. WASHINGTON Las Cruces | 2.2 mi | 5.2 |
| LAS MONTANAS CHARTER Las Cruces | 2.5 mi | 7.9 |
| UNIVERSITY HILLS ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 2.6 mi | 8.2 |
| VALLEY VIEW ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 2.6 mi | 6.3 |
| COLLEGE HEIGHTS KINDERGARTEN Las Cruces | 2.8 mi | 4.7 |
| SONOMA ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 3.0 mi | 8.5 |
| HIGHLAND ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 3.0 mi | 7.1 |
| NEW AMERICA SCHOOL - LAS CRUCES Las Cruces | 2.8 mi | 4.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 88001 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$32,978
Median Home Value
$158,300
Median Rent
$797/mo
Population
38,972
College Educated
28.6%
Homeownership
40.9%
Avg Commute
16.5 min
Poverty Rate
38%
Median Age
27.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Desert Hills Elementary has a median household income of $32,978. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $158,300, with a median rent of $797/month. The area has a poverty rate of 38.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| MANZANO MESA ELEMENTARY Albuquerque, NM | 5.9 |
| RUBEN S. TORRES ELEMENTARY Deming, NM | 5.9 |
| TUCUMCARI ELEMENTARY Tucumcari, NM | 5.9 |
| EL CAMINO REAL ACADEMY COMMUNITY Santa Fe, NM | 6.0 |
| MESA VIEW ELEMENTARY Grants, NM | 6.0 |
| MILITARY HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY Roswell, NM | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desert Hills Elementary
What grades does Desert Hills Elementary serve?
Desert Hills Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Desert Hills Elementary?
Desert Hills Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 539 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Hills Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Hills Elementary is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Hills Elementary rank in NM?
Desert Hills Elementary is ranked #522 out of 864 schools in NM.
What is Desert Hills Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Hills Elementary has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Desert Hills Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Hills Elementary has 40.0% math proficiency and 54.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Desert Hills Elementary a charter school?
No, Desert Hills Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desert Hills Elementary a Title I school?
No, Desert Hills Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Desert Hills Elementary?
92.8% of students at Desert Hills 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 (5,602/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Las Cruces). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 539
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 92.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Doña Ana County
- Phone
- (575) 527-9619
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
LAS CRUCES- District Enrollment
- 23,404
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,965
- District Rank
- #27 of 39
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.