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
Enrollment
399
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Gadsden Elementary — Students at Gadsden Elementary score 38% 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 6 test records from NM state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 39% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (575) 882-3050
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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