Average
#615 of 864 schools in NM
La Merced Elementary
Elementary School · BELEN
520 NORTH MAIN ST, Belen, NM 87002
Enrollment
433
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
433
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Belen
#7 of 10
public schools
New Mexico elementary schools
#335 of 468
In district
#7 of 10
BELEN
About La Merced Elementary
LA MERCED ELEMENTARY is a regular public elementary school located in the rural setting of Belen, New Mexico. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade and has an enrollment of 433 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1, LA MERCED ELEMENTARY ensures that each child receives individual attention.
The school boasts 28 full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to supporting the academic and social development of their students. LA MERCED ELEMENTARY's MySchoolScout rating is 5.1 out of 10, placing it in the 46th percentile among New Mexico schools. While the current academic performance shows that there is room for improvement, with only 32% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 26% proficient or above in Math, the school continues to focus on student development and growth.
LA MERCED ELEMENTARY sits on North Main Street in a rural area near the town of Belen. The setting offers students the opportunity to experience a close-knit community environment where they can thrive both academically and socially.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, La Merced 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
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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 4 test records from NM state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.6/10.
How La Merced Elementary Compares
See how La Merced Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 29% (2019) to 24% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 32% (2019) to 31% (2022).
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. RIO GRANDE ELEMENTARY (rated 9.0/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is DENNIS CHAVEZ ELEMENTARY (rated 8.4/10, 4.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BELEN FAMILY SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 1.8 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 | 7.7 |
| RIO GRANDE ELEMENTARY Belen | 1.9 mi | 9.0 |
| 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 | 5.2 |
| BELEN MIDDLE Belen | 2.7 mi | 4.6 |
| CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Belen | 2.7 mi | 6.6 |
| ST MARY'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL BELEN Belen | 3.1 mi | 7.7 |
| GIL SANCHEZ ELEMENTARY Belen | 4.3 mi | 7.0 |
| BELEN HIGH Belen | 3.7 mi | 5.0 |
| DENNIS CHAVEZ ELEMENTARY Belen | 4.8 mi | 8.4 |
| TOME ELEMENTARY Los Lunas | 5.2 mi | 6.3 |
| VALENCIA MIDDLE SCHOOL Los Lunas | 5.5 mi | 5.9 |
| DESERT VIEW ELEMENTARY Los Lunas | 6.1 mi | 5.2 |
| VALENCIA HIGH Los Lunas | 6.7 mi | 6.2 |
| SCHOOL OF DREAMS ACADEMY Los Lunas | 9.3 mi | 5.8 |
| CENTURY ALT HIGH Los Lunas | 9.4 mi | 4.9 |
| LOS LUNAS MIDDLE Los Lunas | 9.9 mi | 5.1 |
| LOS LUNAS ELEMENTARY Los Lunas | 10.1 mi | 6.8 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding La Merced Elementary has a median household income of $51,537. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $183,700, with a median rent of $859/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.6%. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY Lovington, NM | 5.3 |
| LADERA DEL NORTE ELEMENTARY Farmington, NM | 5.3 |
| WHITE MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY Ruidoso, NM | 5.3 |
| BOOKER T. WASHINGTON Las Cruces, NM | 5.2 |
| DESERT VIEW ELEMENTARY Los Lunas, NM | 5.2 |
| EAST SAN JOSE ELEMENTARY Albuquerque, NM | 5.2 |
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 is ranked #615 out of 864 schools in NM.
What is La Merced Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
La Merced Elementary has a composite rating of 5.3 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 La Merced Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, La Merced Elementary has 26.5% math proficiency and 31.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (5,394/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Belen). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (505) 966-2100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
BELEN- District Enrollment
- 3,564
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,218
- District Rank
- #7 of 10
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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