Excellent
#81 of 864 schools in NM
Top 9% in state
Dexter Middle
Middle School · DEXTER
PO BOX 159, Dexter, NM 88230
Enrollment
186
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
8.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
186
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
8.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dexter
#1 of 3
public schools
New Mexico middle schools
#17 of 155
In district
#1 of 3
DEXTER
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Dexter Middle
Dexter Middle is a public middle school in Dexter, NM, part of the DEXTER. The school serves approximately 186 students in grades 6th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 90.7th percentile among NM schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 22% proficiency in math and 26% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.1/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $42,894, where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 186 students, Dexter Middle is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Dexter Middle may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Dexter Middle — Students at Dexter Middle 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 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: 9.1/10.
How Dexter Middle Compares
See how Dexter Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 21% (2019) to 22% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 15% (2019) to 37% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 159, Dexter, NM 88230
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dexter Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. HAGERMAN MIDDLE (rated 8.2/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Hagerman), with a very similar rating. Another option is MOUNTAIN VIEW MIDDLE (rated 6.1/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Roswell), a more accessible option. Additionally, MESA MIDDLE (rated 6.1/10, 15.0 miles away, in nearby Roswell), a more accessible option. For more schools in Dexter, see our Dexter schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| DEXTER HIGH Dexter | 0.1 mi | 4.6 |
| DEXTER ELEMENTARY Dexter | 0.3 mi | 6.6 |
| HAGERMAN HIGH Hagerman | 6.2 mi | 6.3 |
| HAGERMAN MIDDLE Hagerman | 6.2 mi | 8.2 |
| HAGERMAN ELEMENTARY Hagerman | 6.2 mi | 7.9 |
| EAST GRAND PLAINS ELEMENTARY Roswell | 10.2 mi | 4.9 |
| SIDNEY GUTIERREZ MIDDLE Roswell | 11.6 mi | 5.8 |
| EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL Roswell | 11.8 mi | 7.8 |
| UNIVERSITY HIGH Roswell | 12.1 mi | 5.0 |
| LAKE ARTHUR ELEMENTARY Lake Arthur | 14.0 mi | 4.4 |
| LAKE ARTHUR HIGH Lake Arthur | 14.0 mi | 7.3 |
| LAKE ARTHUR MIDDLE Lake Arthur | 14.0 mi | — |
| MOUNTAIN VIEW MIDDLE Roswell | 12.8 mi | 6.1 |
| SUNSET ELEMENTARY Roswell | 12.8 mi | 3.7 |
| PECOS ELEMENTARY Roswell | 14.5 mi | 5.4 |
| MESA MIDDLE Roswell | 15.0 mi | 6.1 |
| MONTERREY ELEMENTARY Roswell | 14.6 mi | 7.7 |
| NANCY LOPEZ ELEMENTARY Roswell | 15.1 mi | 8.0 |
| ROSWELL HIGH Roswell | 14.9 mi | 4.4 |
| VALLEY VIEW ELEMENTARY Roswell | 15.4 mi | 5.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 88230 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$42,894
Median Home Value
$96,500
Median Rent
$763/mo
Population
4,639
College Educated
9.6%
Homeownership
75.6%
Poverty Rate
26.5%
Median Age
36.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dexter Middle has a median household income of $42,894. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $96,500, with a median rent of $763/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| MORIARTY MIDDLE Moriarty, NM | 8.5 |
| LOVINGTON 6TH GRADE ACADEMY Lovington, NM | 8.1 |
| CLOUDCROFT MIDDLE Cloudcroft, NM | 8.6 |
| TEXICO MIDDLE Texico, NM | 7.9 |
| TULAROSA MIDDLE Tularosa, NM | 7.9 |
| LOVING MIDDLE Loving, NM | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dexter Middle
What grades does Dexter Middle serve?
Dexter Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Dexter Middle?
Dexter Middle has an enrollment of approximately 186 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dexter Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Dexter Middle is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dexter Middle rank in NM?
Dexter Middle is ranked #81 out of 864 schools in NM.
What is Dexter Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Dexter 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 Dexter Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dexter Middle has 21.5% math proficiency and 26.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dexter Middle a charter school?
No, Dexter Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dexter Middle a Title I school?
No, Dexter Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dexter Middle?
100.0% of students at Dexter 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 186
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Chaves County
- Phone
- (575) 734-5420
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
DEXTER- District Enrollment
- 813
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,081
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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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