Average
#527 of 864 schools in NM
Based on limited data
Ernest Stapleton Elementary
Elementary School · RIO RANCHO
3100 STAPLETON AVE NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124
Enrollment
801
Student-Teacher
22.2:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
801
Student-Teacher
22.2:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Rio Rancho
#14 of 22
public schools
New Mexico elementary schools
#288 of 468
In district
#13 of 20
RIO RANCHO
Academic performance
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Ernest Stapleton Elementary
Ernest Stapleton Elementary serves 801 students in grades kindergarten through fifth in Rio Rancho, ranking impressively as the 157th best elementary school out of 874 statewide. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10, the school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning an 8.5 out of 10 academic score that places it in the 82nd percentile among New Mexico elementary schools. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.2 to 1 with 36 full-time equivalent teachers serving the student body.
Academic achievement shows 45% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and reading, while 41% reach proficiency in mathematics across grade levels. Ernest Stapleton Elementary sits in the heart of a thriving suburban community where families enjoy a median household income of $72,986 and a low poverty rate of just 6.8%. The surrounding neighborhood reflects a stable, educated population with 32% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and median home values around $236,100.
This large suburban setting in Sandoval County provides students with access to the resources and stability that support their educational journey at one of Rio Rancho's well-performing elementary schools.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Ernest Stapleton Elementary is 22.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Partial Profile · 2/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Ernest Stapleton Elementary — Students at Ernest Stapleton Elementary score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
33.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 2 test records from NM state assessments. About our data
How Ernest Stapleton Elementary Compares
See how Ernest Stapleton Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
3100 STAPLETON AVE NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ernest Stapleton Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MARTIN KING JR ELEMENTARY (rated 8.1/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CIELO AZUL ELEMENTARY (rated 7.7/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, RIO RANCHO ELEMENTARY (rated 7.6/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Rio Rancho, see our Rio Rancho schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| EAGLE RIDGE MIDDLE Rio Rancho | 0.4 mi | 7.1 |
| RIO RANCHO HIGH Rio Rancho | 0.6 mi | 7.4 |
| LINCOLN MIDDLE Rio Rancho | 1.2 mi | 7.5 |
| RIO RANCHO MIDDLE SCHOOL Rio Rancho | 1.3 mi | 7.5 |
| SHINING STARS PRESCHOOL Rio Rancho | 1.6 mi | 5.8 |
| THE ASK ACADEMY Rio Rancho | 1.8 mi | 6.7 |
| RIO RANCHO ELEMENTARY Rio Rancho | 2.3 mi | 7.6 |
| MARTIN KING JR ELEMENTARY Rio Rancho | 2.6 mi | 8.1 |
| RIO RANCHO CYBER ACADEMY Rio Rancho | 2.5 mi | 4.2 |
| INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL Rio Rancho | 2.4 mi | 4.3 |
| LEAP INTERNATIONAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Rio Rancho | 2.9 mi | — |
| MAGGIE CORDOVA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rio Rancho | 2.9 mi | 5.3 |
| GOSPEL LIGHT BAPTIST ACADEMY Rio Rancho | 2.8 mi | 7.5 |
| ST THOMAS AQUINAS SCHOOL Rio Rancho | 2.8 mi | 5.4 |
| COLINAS DEL NORTE ELEMENTARY Rio Rancho | 2.9 mi | 6.4 |
| ENCHANTED HILLS ELEMENTARY Rio Rancho | 2.9 mi | 5.8 |
| CLEVELAND HIGH SCHOOL Rio Rancho | 3.4 mi | 7.6 |
| CIELO AZUL ELEMENTARY Rio Rancho | 3.6 mi | 7.7 |
| PUESTA DEL SOL ELEMENTARY Rio Rancho | 3.8 mi | 4.6 |
| JOE HARRIS ELEMENTARY Rio Rancho | 4.1 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 87124 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$82,278
Median Home Value
$262,800
Median Rent
$1,380/mo
Population
58,402
College Educated
32.9%
Homeownership
79.2%
Avg Commute
27.6 min
Poverty Rate
7.6%
Median Age
40.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ernest Stapleton Elementary has a median household income of $82,278. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $262,800, with a median rent of $1,380/month. The local poverty rate of 7.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| ENCHANTED HILLS ELEMENTARY Rio Rancho, NM | 5.8 |
| TIERRA ANTIGUA ELEMENTARY Albuquerque, NM | 5.8 |
| NORTHEAST ELEMENTARY Farmington, NM | 5.7 |
| DESERT HILLS ELEMENTARY Las Cruces, NM | 5.9 |
| MANZANO MESA ELEMENTARY Albuquerque, NM | 5.9 |
| EL CAMINO REAL ACADEMY COMMUNITY Santa Fe, NM | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ernest Stapleton Elementary
What grades does Ernest Stapleton Elementary serve?
Ernest Stapleton Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Ernest Stapleton Elementary?
Ernest Stapleton Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 801 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ernest Stapleton Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Ernest Stapleton Elementary is 22.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ernest Stapleton Elementary rank in NM?
Ernest Stapleton Elementary is ranked #527 out of 864 schools in NM.
What is Ernest Stapleton Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Ernest Stapleton Elementary has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Ernest Stapleton Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ernest Stapleton Elementary has 41.0% math proficiency and 45.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ernest Stapleton Elementary a charter school?
No, Ernest Stapleton Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ernest Stapleton Elementary a Title I school?
No, Ernest Stapleton Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ernest Stapleton Elementary?
33.6% of students at Ernest Stapleton 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 (1,662/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Rio Rancho). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 801
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 33.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Sandoval County
- Phone
- (505) 891-8473
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
RIO RANCHO- District Enrollment
- 16,725
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,392
- District Rank
- #13 of 20
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.
Read our full methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.