Average
#334 of 864 schools in NM
Top 39% in state
Desert Star Elementary
Elementary School · ALAMOGORDO
400 S WASHINGTON AVE, Alamogordo, NM 88310
Enrollment
463
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
463
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New Mexico schools
#334 of 864
In Alamogordo
#2 of 11
public schools
In district
#4 of 13
ALAMOGORDO
Academic growth
8.5 / 10
Excellent
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Desert Star Elementary
Elementary School in Alamogordo · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mountain View Middle
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Alamogordo High
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Desert Star Elementary
Desert Star Elementary is a public elementary school in Alamogordo, NM, part of ALAMOGORDO. Desert Star Elementary serves approximately 463 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Desert Star Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #334 of 864 schools in NM.
Structured state assessment records for Desert Star Elementary show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 6.6 · Average
- District avg 5.3
- NM avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
49% of students at Desert Star Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 23 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: 8.5/10.
How Desert Star Elementary Compares
See how Desert Star Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. HOLLOMAN ELEMENTARY (rated 8.3/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Holloman Afb), which scores notably higher. Another option is SUNSET HILLS ELEMENTARY (rated 6.7/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, ST FRANCES CABRINI CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.2/10, 0.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 | 5.1 |
| ALAMOGORDO HIGH Alamogordo | 0.5 mi | 5.6 |
| YUCCA ELEMENTARY Alamogordo | 0.5 mi | 3.7 |
| 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 | 6.7 |
| STEPPING STONES PRESCHOOL Alamogordo | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| NORTH ELEMENTARY Alamogordo | 1.3 mi | 2.9 |
| CHAPARRAL MIDDLE Alamogordo | 1.4 mi | 4.3 |
| 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 | 5.0 |
| NM SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED Alamogordo | 2.0 mi | 6.4 |
| SIERRA ELEMENTARY Alamogordo | 2.2 mi | 5.5 |
| IMAGO DEI ACADEMY Alamogordo | 3.6 mi | 7.0 |
| LA LUZ ELEMENTARY La Luz | 6.3 mi | 4.0 |
| HIGH ROLLS MOUNTAIN PARK ELEMENTARY High Rolls | 7.7 mi | — |
| HOLLOMAN MIDDLE Holloman Afb | 8.3 mi | 7.8 |
| HOLLOMAN ELEMENTARY Holloman Afb | 8.5 mi | 8.3 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| AMY BIEHL COMMUNITY SCHOOL AT RANCHO VIEJO Santa Fe, NM | 6.6 |
| ASPEN ELEMENTARY Los Alamos, NM | 6.6 |
| BARRANCA MESA ELEMENTARY Los Alamos, NM | 6.6 |
| DEXTER ELEMENTARY Dexter, NM | 6.6 |
| RUBEN S. TORRES ELEMENTARY Deming, NM | 6.6 |
| SAN ANTONITO ELEMENTARY Sandia Park, NM | 6.6 |
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 ranks #334 of 864 schools in NM.
What is Desert Star Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Star Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Desert Star Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Desert Star Elementary has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 48.6%
- Phone
- (575) 812-5750
Resources & Links
District
ALAMOGORDO- District Enrollment
- 5,480
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,655
- District Rank
- #4 of 13
Other Schools in This District
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