Needs Improvement
#828 of 864 schools in NM
Desert Star Elementary
Elementary School · ALAMOGORDO
400 S WASHINGTON AVE, Alamogordo, NM 88310
Enrollment
463
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
3.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
463
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
3.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Alamogordo
#11 of 11
public schools
New Mexico elementary schools
#443 of 468
In district
#13 of 13
ALAMOGORDO
About Desert Star Elementary
Desert Star Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade students, the school has an enrollment of 463 students with a student-teacher ratio of 16.5:1. The dedicated staff includes 28 full-time equivalent teachers, providing a nurturing and supportive learning environment for young learners.
Academically, Desert Star Elementary is currently ranked #495 out of 874 schools in New Mexico, placing it around the 44th percentile statewide. While test scores show that 32% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 28% in Math, there is room for academic growth and improvement. The school's community focuses on fostering student development and ensuring every child receives the support they need to thrive.
Located in a remote town setting, Desert Star Elementary serves a close-knit community where students benefit from personal attention and strong family involvement.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Desert Star Elementary — Students at Desert Star Elementary score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
51.8%
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: 2.6/10.
How Desert Star Elementary Compares
See how Desert Star Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 34% (2019) to 21% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 29% (2022).
Location
400 S WASHINGTON AVE, Alamogordo, NM 88310
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Star Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BUENA VISTA ELEMENTARY (rated 8.0/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is LA LUZ ELEMENTARY (rated 7.3/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby La Luz), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HOLLOMAN ELEMENTARY (rated 7.3/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Holloman Afb), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Alamogordo, see our Alamogordo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MOUNTAIN VIEW MIDDLE Alamogordo | 0.1 mi | 5.0 |
| ALAMOGORDO HIGH Alamogordo | 0.5 mi | 4.5 |
| YUCCA ELEMENTARY Alamogordo | 0.5 mi | 4.5 |
| CANYON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Alamogordo | 0.7 mi | — |
| ST FRANCES CABRINI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Alamogordo | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| SUNSET HILLS ELEMENTARY Alamogordo | 1.1 mi | 6.5 |
| STEPPING STONES PRESCHOOL Alamogordo | 1.2 mi | 6.4 |
| NORTH ELEMENTARY Alamogordo | 1.3 mi | 3.7 |
| CHAPARRAL MIDDLE Alamogordo | 1.4 mi | 5.1 |
| LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Alamogordo | 1.7 mi | 7.8 |
| LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Alamogordo | 1.7 mi | 7.8 |
| 3001 THUNDER RD Alamagordo | 1.7 mi | 6.4 |
| BUENA VISTA ELEMENTARY Alamogordo | 2.0 mi | 8.0 |
| NM SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED Alamogordo | 2.0 mi | 7.1 |
| SIERRA ELEMENTARY Alamogordo | 2.2 mi | 5.2 |
| IMAGO DEI ACADEMY Alamogordo | 3.6 mi | 7.0 |
| LA LUZ ELEMENTARY La Luz | 6.3 mi | 7.3 |
| HIGH ROLLS MOUNTAIN PARK ELEMENTARY High Rolls | 7.7 mi | — |
| HOLLOMAN MIDDLE Holloman Afb | 8.3 mi | 6.0 |
| HOLLOMAN ELEMENTARY Holloman Afb | 8.5 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 88310 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,833
Median Home Value
$164,300
Median Rent
$877/mo
Population
36,737
College Educated
24.9%
Homeownership
63.8%
Avg Commute
19.5 min
Poverty Rate
16.9%
Median Age
38.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Desert Star Elementary has a median household income of $53,833. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $164,300, with a median rent of $877/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.9%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| LOCKWOOD ELEMENTARY Clovis, NM | 3.7 |
| Wingate Elementary School Ft. Wingate, NM | 3.7 |
| BROWN EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Portales, NM | 3.8 |
| JAMES ELEMENTARY Portales, NM | 3.8 |
| R.M. SWEENEY ELEMENTARY Santa Fe, NM | 3.8 |
| STAGECOACH ELEMENTARY Gallup, NM | 3.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desert Star Elementary
What grades does Desert Star Elementary serve?
Desert Star Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Desert Star Elementary?
Desert Star Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 463 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Star Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Star Elementary is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Star Elementary rank in NM?
Desert Star Elementary is ranked #828 out of 864 schools in NM.
What is Desert Star Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Star Elementary has a composite rating of 3.7 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 Star Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Star Elementary has 27.5% math proficiency and 32.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Desert Star Elementary a charter school?
No, Desert Star Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desert Star Elementary a Title I school?
No, Desert Star Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Desert Star Elementary?
51.8% of students at Desert Star 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 (3,197/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Alamogordo). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 463
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 51.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Otero County
- Phone
- (575) 812-5750
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
ALAMOGORDO- District Enrollment
- 5,480
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,655
- District Rank
- #13 of 13
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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