Average
#401 of 864 schools in NM
Top 46% in state
Based on limited data
James Elementary
Elementary School · PORTALES
701 WEST 18TH ST, Portales, NM 88130
Enrollment
375
Student-Teacher
93.8:1
Score
6.4
Grades
1st – 2nd
Enrollment
375
Student-Teacher
93.8:1
Score
6.4
Grades
1st – 2nd
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New Mexico schools
#401 of 864
In Portales
#3 of 6
public schools
In district
#3 of 6
PORTALES
Academic performance
9.7 / 10
Excellent
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James Elementary
Elementary School in Portales · grades 1st – 2nd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Brown Early Childhood Center
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Valencia Elementary
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About James Elementary
James Elementary is a public elementary school in Portales, NM, part of PORTALES. James Elementary serves approximately 375 students, and covers grades 1st-2nd, and has a 93.8:1 student-teacher ratio. James Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #401 of 864 schools in NM.
Structured state assessment records for James Elementary show 54% math proficiency (2009 EdFacts) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (2009 EdFacts). Based on limited data: 50% component coverage.
- This school 6.4 · Average
- District avg 5.6
- NM avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
James Elementary runs 93.8:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
33% of students at James 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
Partial Profile · 2/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View breakdown
View breakdown
James Elementary — Students at James Elementary score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2008-09)
Based on 2 test records from NM state assessments. About our data
How James Elementary Compares
See how James Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
701 WEST 18TH ST, Portales, NM 88130
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. DORA ELEMENTARY (rated 8.4/10, 15.9 miles away, in nearby Dora), which scores notably higher. Another option is FLOYD ELEMENTARY (rated 6.9/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Floyd), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, LA CASITA ELEMENTARY (rated 6.5/10, 17.4 miles away, in nearby Clovis), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Portales, see our Portales schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BROWN EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Portales | 0.7 mi | 4.0 |
| VALENCIA ELEMENTARY Portales | 0.8 mi | 6.3 |
| PORTALES JR HIGH Portales | 1.1 mi | 6.5 |
| LINDSEY-STEINER ELEMENTARY Portales | 1.5 mi | 6.7 |
| PORTALES HIGH Portales | 1.5 mi | 6.1 |
| DORA ELEMENTARY Dora | 15.9 mi | 8.4 |
| DORA HIGH Dora | 15.9 mi | 9.3 |
| FLOYD ELEMENTARY Floyd | 14.1 mi | 6.9 |
| FLOYD HIGH Floyd | 14.1 mi | 8.0 |
| FLOYD MIDDLE Floyd | 14.1 mi | 6.7 |
| CMS IACADEMY AT LINCOLN JACKSON Clovis | 17.1 mi | 7.1 |
| ARTS ACADEMY AT BELLA VISTA Clovis | 17.5 mi | 5.1 |
| LOCKWOOD ELEMENTARY Clovis | 17.0 mi | 4.4 |
| LA CASITA ELEMENTARY Clovis | 17.4 mi | 6.5 |
| CLOVIS HS FRESHMAN ACADEMY Clovis | 17.9 mi | 7.0 |
| CAMEO ELEMENTARY Clovis | 18.0 mi | 4.5 |
| JAMES BICKLEY ELEMENTARY Clovis | 18.3 mi | 5.1 |
| CLOVIS HIGH Clovis | 18.4 mi | 6.5 |
| MARSHALL 6TH GRADE ACADEMY Clovis | 18.5 mi | 5.4 |
| SANDIA ELEMENTARY Clovis | 18.9 mi | 4.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 88130 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$52,420
Median Home Value
$136,600
Median Rent
$865/mo
Population
17,865
College Educated
21.7%
Homeownership
61.2%
Avg Commute
15.8 min
Poverty Rate
21.4%
Median Age
30.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| JOE HARRIS ELEMENTARY Rio Rancho, NM | 6.4 |
| PARK AVENUE ELEMENTARY Aztec, NM | 6.4 |
| SANTA TERESA ELEMENTARY Santa Teresa, NM | 6.4 |
| STAGECOACH ELEMENTARY Gallup, NM | 6.4 |
| VADO ELEMENTARY Vado, NM | 6.4 |
| CESAR CHAVEZ ELEMENTARY Las Cruces, NM | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James Elementary
What grades does James Elementary serve?
James Elementary serves students in grades 1st through 2nd.
How many students attend James Elementary?
James Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 375 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at James Elementary is 93.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James Elementary rank in NM?
James Elementary ranks #401 of 864 schools in NM.
What is James Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
James Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 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 James Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, James Elementary has 54% math proficiency (2009 EdFacts) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (2009 EdFacts).
Is James Elementary a charter school?
No, James Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James Elementary a Title I school?
No, James Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James Elementary?
64.0% of students at James 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 1st – 2nd
- Enrollment
- 375
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 93.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 4
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 64.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Roosevelt County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.8%
- Phone
- (575) 359-3675
Resources & Links
District
PORTALES- District Enrollment
- 2,571
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,691
- District Rank
- #3 of 6
Other Schools in This District
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