Very Good
#205 of 864 schools in NM
Top 24% in state
Desert Trail Elementary
Elementary School · GADSDEN
290 E. LISA, Chaparral, NM 88021
Enrollment
467
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
467
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New Mexico schools
#205 of 864
In Chaparral
#3 of 5
public schools
In district
#11 of 26
GADSDEN
Academic performance
8.1 / 10
Excellent
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Desert Trail Elementary
Elementary School in Chaparral · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Chaparral Elementary
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Chaparral Middle
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Desert Trail Elementary
Desert Trail Elementary is a public elementary school in Chaparral, NM, part of GADSDEN. Desert Trail Elementary serves approximately 467 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Desert Trail Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #205 of 864 schools in NM.
Structured state assessment records for Desert Trail Elementary show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 7.3 · Very Good
- District avg 7.5
- NM avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Desert Trail Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
38% of students at Desert Trail 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 Trail Elementary — Students at Desert Trail Elementary score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
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: 7.2/10.
How Desert Trail Elementary Compares
See how Desert Trail 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
290 E. LISA, Chaparral, NM 88021
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Trail Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. CHAPARRAL ELEMENTARY (rated 8.6/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is NORTH STAR EL (rated 8.5/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby El Paso), which scores notably higher. Additionally, DESERTAIRE EL (rated 8.3/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby El Paso), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Chaparral, see our Chaparral schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CHAPARRAL ELEMENTARY Chaparral | 0.1 mi | 8.6 |
| CHAPARRAL MIDDLE Chaparral | 0.3 mi | 7.1 |
| CHAPARRAL ON-TRACK PREK CENTER Chaparral | 1.4 mi | 5.7 |
| CHAPARRAL HIGH Anthony | 1.5 mi | 5.2 |
| SUNRISE ELEMENTARY Anthony | 1.8 mi | 4.9 |
| YUCCA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY Chaparral | 4.7 mi | 7.7 |
| IDEA MESQUITE HILLS ACADEMY El Paso | 6.5 mi | 4.4 |
| IDEA MESQUITE HILLS COLLEGE PREPARATORY El Paso | 6.5 mi | 8.1 |
| RICHARDSON MIDDLE El Paso | 7.0 mi | 6.0 |
| BARRON EL El Paso | 7.3 mi | 4.1 |
| TOM LEA JR EL El Paso | 7.3 mi | 6.8 |
| NIXON EL El Paso | 7.4 mi | 4.8 |
| NORTH STAR EL El Paso | 7.8 mi | 8.5 |
| DR JOSEPH TORRES EL El Paso | 7.9 mi | 6.8 |
| DESERTAIRE EL El Paso | 8.0 mi | 8.3 |
| CHARLES MIDDLE El Paso | 8.5 mi | 4.8 |
| ANDRESS H S El Paso | 9.0 mi | 4.6 |
| NEWMAN EL El Paso | 9.0 mi | 4.5 |
| BOBBY JOE HILL PK-8 El Paso | 9.3 mi | 4.2 |
| PARKLAND EL El Paso | 9.3 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 88021 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$49,345
Median Home Value
$151,400
Median Rent
$605/mo
Population
16,102
College Educated
16%
Homeownership
74.1%
Avg Commute
31.6 min
Poverty Rate
29.4%
Median Age
33.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| SOUTHERN HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY Hobbs, NM | 7.3 |
| TULAROSA INTERMEDIATE Tularosa, NM | 7.3 |
| A. MONTOYA ELEMENTARY Tijeras, NM | 7.2 |
| LLANO ELEMENTARY Lovington, NM | 7.2 |
| MESA VIEW ELEMENTARY Grants, NM | 7.2 |
| VENTANA RANCH ELEMENTARY Albuquerque, NM | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desert Trail Elementary
What grades does Desert Trail Elementary serve?
Desert Trail Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Desert Trail Elementary?
Desert Trail Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 467 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Trail Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Trail Elementary is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Trail Elementary rank in NM?
Desert Trail Elementary ranks #205 of 864 schools in NM.
What is Desert Trail Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Trail Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 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 Trail Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Desert Trail Elementary has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Desert Trail Elementary a charter school?
No, Desert Trail Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desert Trail Elementary a Title I school?
No, Desert Trail Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Desert Trail Elementary?
100.0% of students at Desert Trail 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 467
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Doña Ana County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 38.1%
- Phone
- (575) 882-6203
Resources & Links
District
GADSDEN- District Enrollment
- 12,130
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,250
- District Rank
- #11 of 26
Other Schools in This District
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