Excellent
#78 of 864 schools in NM
Top 9% in state
Desert Ridge Middle
Middle School · ALBUQUERQUE
8400 BARSTOW NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122
Enrollment
788
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
8.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
788
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
8.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Albuquerque
#23 of 189
public schools
New Mexico middle schools
#16 of 155
In district
#21 of 169
ALBUQUERQUE
Academic performance
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Desert Ridge Middle
Desert Ridge Middle is a public middle school in Albuquerque, NM, part of the ALBUQUERQUE. The school serves approximately 788 students in grades 6th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.4:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 91.1th percentile among NM schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 59% proficiency in math and 63% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.2/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $161,299, where 73% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large city setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Desert Ridge Middle — Students at Desert Ridge Middle score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38.7%
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: 8.2/10.
How Desert Ridge Middle Compares
See how Desert Ridge Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 56% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 59% (2019) to 66% (2022).
Location
8400 BARSTOW NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Ridge Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. OSUNA ELEMENTARY (rated 8.3/10, 3.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is EISENHOWER MIDDLE (rated 8.3/10, 3.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, ALTURA PREPARATORY SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 0.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Albuquerque, see our Albuquerque schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ALTURA PREPARATORY SCHOOL Albuquerque | 0.3 mi | 8.2 |
| LA CUEVA HIGH Albuquerque | 0.4 mi | 8.0 |
| DENNIS CHAVEZ ELEMENTARY Albuquerque | 0.8 mi | 6.5 |
| MONTESSORI ONE Albuquerque | 0.8 mi | 8.0 |
| MONTESSORI ONE Albuquerque | 0.8 mi | 8.0 |
| NORTH STAR ELEMENTARY Albuquerque | 1.0 mi | 7.7 |
| HOPE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL-HIGH Albuquerque | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| HOPE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL-ELEMENTARY Albuquerque | 1.3 mi | 2.8 |
| EDMUND G ROSS ELEMENTARY Albuquerque | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
| OAK GROVE CLASSICAL ACADEMY Albuquerque | 1.8 mi | 6.9 |
| ALBUQUERQUE ACADEMY Albuquerque | 1.9 mi | 7.1 |
| DESIGN FOR LEARNING DIFFERENCES SCHOOL Albuquerque | 2.2 mi | 6.5 |
| DLD SYCAMORE SCHOOL Albuquerque | 2.2 mi | 7.3 |
| CORRALES INTERNATIONAL Albuquerque | 1.9 mi | 5.9 |
| HUBERT H HUMPHREY ELEMENTARY Albuquerque | 2.3 mi | 7.3 |
| ARROYO DEL OSO ELEMENTARY Albuquerque | 2.3 mi | 5.1 |
| DOUBLE EAGLE ELEMENTARY Albuquerque | 2.4 mi | 7.5 |
| EXPLORE ACADEMY Albuquerque | 2.5 mi | 6.9 |
| OSUNA ELEMENTARY Albuquerque | 3.1 mi | 8.3 |
| EISENHOWER MIDDLE Albuquerque | 3.0 mi | 8.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 87122 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$161,299
Median Home Value
$614,200
Median Rent
$1,900/mo
Population
18,776
College Educated
72.7%
Homeownership
91.4%
Avg Commute
22.4 min
Poverty Rate
3.4%
Median Age
45.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Desert Ridge Middle has a median household income of $161,299. It is a well-educated community where 73% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $614,200, with a median rent of $1,900/month. The local poverty rate of 3.4% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| EISENHOWER MIDDLE Albuquerque, NM | 8.3 |
| CLEVELAND MIDDLE Albuquerque, NM | 8.2 |
| MADISON MIDDLE Albuquerque, NM | 8.2 |
| L.B. JOHNSON MIDDLE Albuquerque, NM | 8.1 |
| LOS ALAMOS MIDDLE Los Alamos, NM | 8.6 |
| TONY HILLERMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL Albuquerque, NM | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desert Ridge Middle
What grades does Desert Ridge Middle serve?
Desert Ridge Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Desert Ridge Middle?
Desert Ridge Middle has an enrollment of approximately 788 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Ridge Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Ridge Middle is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Ridge Middle rank in NM?
Desert Ridge Middle is ranked #78 out of 864 schools in NM.
What is Desert Ridge Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Ridge Middle has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Ridge Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Ridge Middle has 59.0% math proficiency and 62.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Desert Ridge Middle a charter school?
No, Desert Ridge Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desert Ridge Middle a Title I school?
No, Desert Ridge Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Desert Ridge Middle?
38.7% of students at Desert Ridge Middle 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
- Walk Score
- 32 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 22 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 65 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (5,820/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Albuquerque). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 788
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 59
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 38.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Bernalillo County
- Phone
- (505) 857-9282
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
ALBUQUERQUE- District Enrollment
- 76,756
- Schools in District
- 174
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,108
- District Rank
- #21 of 169
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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