Skip to main content

Average

#381 of 864 schools in NM

Top 44% in state

Gadsden Elementary

Elementary School · GADSDEN

1440 HWY 478, Sunland Park, NM 88063

Enrollment

399

Student-Teacher

12.5:1

Score

6.6

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sunland Park

#2 of 4

public schools

New Mexico elementary schools

#221 of 468

In district

#10 of 26

GADSDEN

Academic performance

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Gadsden Elementary

Gadsden Elementary serves 399 students in prekindergarten through sixth grade in Sunland Park, New Mexico, earning recognition as one of the state's higher-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranking 134th out of 874 schools statewide, Gadsden Elementary places in the 85th percentile among New Mexico schools. The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.5:1 with 32 full-time equivalent teachers, providing students with more individualized attention than many larger schools.

Academic performance shows 39% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 37% in mathematics across all grade levels, indicating steady progress with continued opportunities for growth. Gadsden Elementary serves a predominantly working-class community where the median household income is $27,078 and nearly one-third of families face economic challenges. Despite these circumstances, the school has established itself as a strong educational option in the region, demonstrating its commitment to student success regardless of background.

The school sits in a rural setting near the town of Sunland Park in Doña Ana County, providing students with a close-knit learning environment while serving a community of over 11,000 residents along Highway 478.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Gadsden Elementary 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 metrics
Student Progress4.5Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.09 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency39%
Overall Proficiency38%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected+16.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,189

Gadsden Elementary — Students at Gadsden Elementary score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 31.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from NM state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
39%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.5/10.

How Gadsden Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.6/10
56th percentile in NM
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
4.5/10
Below average
Environment
8.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

Location

1440 HWY 478, Sunland Park, NM 88063

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gadsden Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. LA UNION ELEMENTARY (rated 7.0/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Anthony), which scores slightly higher. Another option is LOMA LINDA ELEMENTARY (rated 6.9/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Anthony), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, DEANNA DAVENPORT EL (rated 5.7/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Canutillo), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Sunland Park, see our Sunland Park schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.3 mi
School Distance Rating
ANTHONY ELEMENTARY Anthony 1.2 mi 5.0
ANTHONY ON-TRACK PREK CENTER Anthony 1.3 mi 6.9
ANTHONY EL Anthony 1.8 mi 4.2
GADSDEN MIDDLE Anthony 1.7 mi 5.6
BERINO ELEMENTARY Anthony 2.0 mi 5.0
LOMA LINDA ELEMENTARY Anthony 1.8 mi 6.9
ANTHONY MIDDLE Anthony 2.0 mi 4.5
DESERT PRIDE ACADEMY Anthony 2.0 mi 5.1
ANTHONY H S Anthony 2.0 mi 4.7
ALTA VISTA EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL Anthony 2.1 mi 5.9
GADSDEN HIGH Anthony 3.1 mi 5.7
DEANNA DAVENPORT EL Canutillo 4.8 mi 5.7
BILL CHILDRESS EL Canutillo 5.2 mi 5.7
LA UNION ELEMENTARY Anthony 5.4 mi 7.0
CANUTILLO MIDDLE Canutillo 6.6 mi 4.5
CALVARY WEST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Anthony 7.1 mi 7.2
CANUTILLO EL Canutillo 7.5 mi 4.2
VADO ELEMENTARY Vado 7.4 mi 4.6
JOSE J ALDERETE MIDDLE Canutillo 7.6 mi 6.5
NORTHWEST EARLY COLLEGE H S (NWECHS) Canutillo 8.3 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 88063 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$35,947

Median Home Value

$121,900

Median Rent

$763/mo

Population

11,282

College Educated

13.1%

Homeownership

73%

Avg Commute

26.2 min

Poverty Rate

29.3%

Median Age

30.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Gadsden Elementary has a median household income of $35,947. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $121,900, with a median rent of $763/month. The area has a poverty rate of 29.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 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
DESERT WILLOW FAMILY SCHOOL Albuquerque, NM 6.6
DEXTER ELEMENTARY Dexter, NM 6.6
PABLO ROYBAL ELEMENTARY Santa Fe, NM 6.6
SEVEN BAR ELEMENTARY Albuquerque, NM 6.6
HORIZON ACADEMY WEST Albuquerque, NM 6.5
RANCHOS DE TAOS ELEMENTARY Ranchos De Taos, NM 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gadsden Elementary

What grades does Gadsden Elementary serve?

Gadsden Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Gadsden Elementary?

Gadsden Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 399 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Gadsden Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Gadsden Elementary is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gadsden Elementary rank in NM?

Gadsden Elementary is ranked #381 out of 864 schools in NM.

What is Gadsden Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Gadsden Elementary has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Gadsden Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gadsden Elementary has 31.3% math proficiency and 37.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Gadsden Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Gadsden Elementary a Title I school?

No, Gadsden Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

100.0% of students at Gadsden 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

City Safety
Elevated (922/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sunland Park). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
399
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Doña Ana County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

GADSDEN
District Enrollment
12,130
Schools in District
28
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,250
District Rank
#10 of 26

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 methodology

Get 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.