Average
#409 of 864 schools in NM
Top 47% in state
La Merced Elementary
Elementary School · BELEN
520 NORTH MAIN ST, Belen, NM 87002
Enrollment
433
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
433
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New Mexico schools
#409 of 864
In Belen
#6 of 10
public schools
In district
#6 of 10
BELEN
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La Merced Elementary
Elementary School in Belen · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Belen Family School
1.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Rio Grande Elementary
1.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About La Merced Elementary
La Merced Elementary is a public elementary school in Belen, NM, part of BELEN. La Merced Elementary serves approximately 433 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. La Merced Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #409 of 864 schools in NM.
Structured state assessment records for La Merced Elementary show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 6.3 · Average
- District avg 7.0
- NM avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
La Merced Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
51% of students at La Merced 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
La Merced Elementary — Students at La Merced Elementary score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
68.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 23 test records from NM state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.9/10.
How La Merced Elementary Compares
See how La Merced Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
520 NORTH MAIN ST, Belen, NM 87002
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering La Merced Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. GIL SANCHEZ ELEMENTARY (rated 8.8/10, 4.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is RIO GRANDE ELEMENTARY (rated 8.6/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST MARY'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL BELEN (rated 7.6/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Belen, see our Belen schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BELEN FAMILY SCHOOL Belen | 1.8 mi | 6.5 |
| RIO GRANDE ELEMENTARY Belen | 1.9 mi | 8.6 |
| DEL RIO ACADEMY Los Lunas | 2.3 mi | 3.4 |
| CANON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Belen | 2.8 mi | 6.1 |
| BELEN INFINITY HIGH Belen | 2.7 mi | 4.7 |
| BELEN MIDDLE Belen | 2.7 mi | 3.8 |
| CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Belen | 2.7 mi | 6.6 |
| ST MARY'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL BELEN Belen | 3.1 mi | 7.6 |
| GIL SANCHEZ ELEMENTARY Belen | 4.3 mi | 8.8 |
| BELEN HIGH Belen | 3.7 mi | 5.7 |
| DENNIS CHAVEZ ELEMENTARY Belen | 4.8 mi | 7.0 |
| TOME ELEMENTARY Los Lunas | 5.2 mi | 5.2 |
| VALENCIA MIDDLE SCHOOL Los Lunas | 5.5 mi | 5.5 |
| DESERT VIEW ELEMENTARY Los Lunas | 6.1 mi | 6.0 |
| VALENCIA HIGH Los Lunas | 6.7 mi | 5.8 |
| SCHOOL OF DREAMS ACADEMY Los Lunas | 9.3 mi | 7.0 |
| CENTURY ALT HIGH Los Lunas | 9.4 mi | 5.5 |
| LOS LUNAS MIDDLE Los Lunas | 9.9 mi | 5.6 |
| LOS LUNAS ELEMENTARY Los Lunas | 10.1 mi | 5.8 |
| RAYMOND GABALDON ELEMENTARY Los Lunas | 10.1 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 87002 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$51,537
Median Home Value
$183,700
Median Rent
$859/mo
Population
21,375
College Educated
18.8%
Homeownership
82.1%
Avg Commute
26.6 min
Poverty Rate
19.6%
Median Age
45.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BANDELIER ELEMENTARY Albuquerque, NM | 6.3 |
| DENNIS CHAVEZ ELEMENTARY Albuquerque, NM | 6.3 |
| VALENCIA ELEMENTARY Portales, NM | 6.3 |
| VALLEY VIEW ELEMENTARY Roswell, NM | 6.3 |
| HERMOSA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY Las Cruces, NM | 6.2 |
| MESILLA PARK ELEMENTARY Las Cruces, NM | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about La Merced Elementary
What grades does La Merced Elementary serve?
La Merced Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend La Merced Elementary?
La Merced Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 433 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at La Merced Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at La Merced Elementary is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does La Merced Elementary rank in NM?
La Merced Elementary ranks #409 of 864 schools in NM.
What is La Merced Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
La Merced Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 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 La Merced Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, La Merced Elementary has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is La Merced Elementary a charter school?
No, La Merced Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is La Merced Elementary a Title I school?
No, La Merced Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for La Merced Elementary?
68.8% of students at La Merced 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 433
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 68.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Valencia County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 50.6%
- Phone
- (505) 966-2100
Resources & Links
District
BELEN- District Enrollment
- 3,564
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,218
- District Rank
- #6 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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