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Very Good

#181 of 864 schools in NM

Top 21% in state

Desert Willow Elementary

Elementary School · CARLSBAD

2100 PRIMROSE ST, Carlsbad, NM 88220

Enrollment

820

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Mexico schools

#181 of 864

In Carlsbad

#3 of 13

public schools

In district

#3 of 13

CARLSBAD

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Desert Willow Elementary

7.5/10

Elementary School in Carlsbad · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Carlsbad Enrichment Center

2.4/10

2.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Jefferson Montessori

5.9/10

2.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Desert Willow Elementary

Desert Willow Elementary is a public elementary school in Carlsbad, NM, part of CARLSBAD. Desert Willow Elementary serves approximately 820 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Desert Willow Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #181 of 864 schools in NM.

Structured state assessment records for Desert Willow Elementary show 22% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2022) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2022).

How it compares1.5 pts above district
  • This school 7.5 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.0
  • NM avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

46% of students at Desert Willow 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 metrics
Student Progress9.8Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+1.17 pts/yr
Data Period2016–2022
TrendImproving
Academics5.9Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency28% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-11.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,304
Chronic Absenteeism46.1%

Desert Willow Elementary — Students at Desert Willow Elementary score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 21.5% (multi-year average, 2016-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 27.5% (multi-year average, 2016-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from NM state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2016
Math
17%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
26%
ELA
30%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.8/10.

How Desert Willow Elementary Compares

See how Desert Willow Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
79th percentile in NM
Academic
5.9/10
Average
Growth
9.8/10
Excellent
Environment
4.3/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
54 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
46.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

2100 PRIMROSE ST, Carlsbad, NM 88220

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Desert Willow Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. LOVING ELEMENTARY (rated 9.1/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Loving), which scores notably higher. Another option is OCOTILLO ELEMENTARY (rated 8.2/10, 4.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, YESO ELEMENTARY (rated 7.7/10, 32.3 miles away, in nearby Artesia), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Carlsbad, see our Carlsbad schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 32.6 mi
School Distance Rating
CARLSBAD ENRICHMENT CENTER Carlsbad 2.1 mi 2.4
JEFFERSON MONTESSORI Carlsbad 2.4 mi 5.9
COTTONWOOD ELEMENTARY Carlsbad 2.2 mi 3.8
CARLSBAD INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL - PR LEYVA CAMPUS Carlsbad 2.4 mi 3.5
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTER Carlsbad 2.3 mi 5.4
HILLCREST PRESCHOOL Carlsbad 2.3 mi 4.4
CARLSBAD SIXTH GRADE ACADEMY - ALTA VISTA CAMPUS Carlsbad 2.4 mi 5.3
SUNSET ELEMENTARY Carlsbad 2.9 mi 5.0
MONTERREY ELEMENTARY Carlsbad 4.0 mi 6.0
CARLSBAD HIGH Carlsbad 3.7 mi 3.4
CARLSBAD EARLY COLLEGE HIGH Carlsbad 4.3 mi 8.2
OCOTILLO ELEMENTARY Carlsbad 4.7 mi 8.2
LOVING ELEMENTARY Loving 10.6 mi 9.1
LOVING MIDDLE Loving 10.7 mi 7.8
LOVING HIGH Loving 10.7 mi 5.3
HERMOSA ELEMENTARY Artesia 31.6 mi 6.7
ARTESIA ZIA INTERMEDIATE Artesia 32.2 mi 6.6
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Artesia 32.3 mi 6.1
YESO ELEMENTARY Artesia 32.3 mi 7.7
ARTESIA HIGH Artesia 32.6 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 88220 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,668

Median Home Value

$192,600

Median Rent

$1,218/mo

Population

40,151

College Educated

20.4%

Homeownership

75.5%

Avg Commute

21.5 min

Poverty Rate

12%

Median Age

37.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
GEORGE I SANCHEZ Albuquerque, NM 7.6
HORIZON ACADEMY WEST Albuquerque, NM 7.6
NINA OTERO COMMUNITY SCHOOL Santa Fe, NM 7.6
NORTH STAR ELEMENTARY Albuquerque, NM 7.4
SONOMA ELEMENTARY Las Cruces, NM 7.3
DOUBLE EAGLE ELEMENTARY Albuquerque, NM 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Desert Willow Elementary

What grades does Desert Willow Elementary serve?

Desert Willow Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Desert Willow Elementary?

Desert Willow Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 820 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Willow Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Desert Willow Elementary is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Desert Willow Elementary rank in NM?

Desert Willow Elementary ranks #181 of 864 schools in NM.

What is Desert Willow Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Desert Willow Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 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 Willow Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Desert Willow Elementary has 22% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2022) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2022).

Is Desert Willow Elementary a charter school?

No, Desert Willow Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Desert Willow Elementary a Title I school?

No, Desert Willow Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Desert Willow Elementary?

40.1% of students at Desert Willow 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
20 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
820
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
54
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Eddy County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
46.1%

District

CARLSBAD
District Enrollment
7,343
Schools in District
14
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,304
District Rank
#3 of 13

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