Average
#568 of 864 schools in NM
Judy Nelson Elementary
Elementary School · CENTRAL
40 CR 6580, Kirtland, NM 87417
Enrollment
467
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
467
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kirtland
#2 of 4
public schools
New Mexico elementary schools
#310 of 468
In district
#6 of 15
CENTRAL
School environment
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Judy Nelson Elementary
Judy Nelson Elementary is a welcoming public school located in Kirtland, New Mexico, on the edge of an urban area. Serving pre-kindergarten through sixth grade students, Judy Nelson has an enrollment of 467 pupils and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.3:1 with 38 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 6.1 out of 10, placing it in the 64th percentile among New Mexico schools.
Academically, students perform at around 40% proficiency in ELA and reading, and 29% proficiency in math. While there is room for improvement in test scores, Judy Nelson Elementary focuses on supporting its diverse student population through various educational initiatives. The school's setting provides a unique blend of rural charm and urban accessibility, fostering a supportive community environment for students to grow and thrive.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Judy Nelson Elementary — Students at Judy Nelson Elementary score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
66.6%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.5/10.
How Judy Nelson Elementary Compares
See how Judy Nelson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 35% (2019) to 29% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 27% (2022).
Location
40 CR 6580, Kirtland, NM 87417
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Judy Nelson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Farmington), which scores notably higher. Another option is NORTHEAST ELEMENTARY (rated 5.7/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Farmington), with a very similar rating. Additionally, LADERA DEL NORTE ELEMENTARY (rated 5.3/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Farmington), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Kirtland, see our Kirtland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| KIRTLAND CENTRAL HIGH Kirtland | 0.8 mi | 6.3 |
| KIRTLAND MIDDLE Kirtland | 1.0 mi | 5.2 |
| KIRTLAND ELEMENTARY Kirtland | 1.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Nenahnezad Community School Fruitland | 1.8 mi | 3.7 |
| OJO AMARILLO ELEMENTARY Fruitland | 3.7 mi | 4.1 |
| OPEN BIBLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterflow | 4.1 mi | — |
| OPEN BIBLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterflow | 4.1 mi | — |
| TIBBETTS MIDDLE SCHOOL Farmington | 7.0 mi | 4.0 |
| Navajo Preparatory School Farmington | 8.5 mi | — |
| NAVAJO PREPARATORY SCHOOL Farmington | 8.5 mi | 5.6 |
| APACHE ELEMENTARY Farmington | 9.3 mi | 5.1 |
| SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL Farmington | 9.7 mi | 8.6 |
| FARMINGTON HIGH Farmington | 9.7 mi | 4.5 |
| FARMINGTON PRESCHOOL ACADEMY WEST Farmington | 9.9 mi | 6.1 |
| LADERA DEL NORTE ELEMENTARY Farmington | 10.0 mi | 5.3 |
| MCKINLEY ELEMENTARY Farmington | 10.1 mi | 4.2 |
| MCCORMICK ELEMENTARY Farmington | 10.6 mi | 4.2 |
| NORTHEAST ELEMENTARY Farmington | 10.6 mi | 5.7 |
| HERMOSA MIDDLE SCHOOL Farmington | 10.7 mi | 5.6 |
| GRACE BAPTIST ACADEMY Farmington | 10.9 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 87417 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,396
Median Home Value
$180,400
Median Rent
$799/mo
Population
6,507
College Educated
10.7%
Homeownership
69.4%
Avg Commute
23.3 min
Poverty Rate
18.7%
Median Age
33.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Judy Nelson Elementary has a median household income of $65,396. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $180,400, with a median rent of $799/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.7%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| CORONADO ELEMENTARY Hobbs, NM | 5.6 |
| SUNSET MESA SCHOOL Albuquerque, NM | 5.6 |
| YARBRO ELEMENTARY Lovington, NM | 5.6 |
| COUNTRY CLUB ELEMENTARY Farmington, NM | 5.5 |
| GONZALES ELEMENTARY Santa Fe, NM | 5.5 |
| HILLRISE ELEMENTARY Las Cruces, NM | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Judy Nelson Elementary
What grades does Judy Nelson Elementary serve?
Judy Nelson Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Judy Nelson Elementary?
Judy Nelson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 467 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Judy Nelson Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Judy Nelson Elementary is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Judy Nelson Elementary rank in NM?
Judy Nelson Elementary is ranked #568 out of 864 schools in NM.
What is Judy Nelson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Judy Nelson Elementary has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Judy Nelson Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Judy Nelson Elementary has 28.7% math proficiency and 40.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Judy Nelson Elementary a charter school?
No, Judy Nelson Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Judy Nelson Elementary a Title I school?
No, Judy Nelson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Judy Nelson Elementary?
66.6% of students at Judy Nelson 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
- County Safety
- Average (605/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 467
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 66.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- San Juan County
- Phone
- (505) 598-6285
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
CENTRAL- District Enrollment
- 4,702
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,470
- District Rank
- #6 of 15
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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