Average
#475 of 864 schools in NM
Mesa Elementary
Elementary School · CENTRAL
PO BOX 1803, Shiprock, NM 87420
Enrollment
260
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
260
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Shiprock
#3 of 6
public schools
New Mexico elementary schools
#266 of 468
In district
#5 of 15
CENTRAL
Academic growth
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Mesa Elementary
Mesa Elementary is a regular public school located in Shiprock, New Mexico, within San Juan County. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 260 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1, with 17 full-time equivalent teachers. The setting is rural, situated near the town of Shiprock.
Mesa Elementary's academic performance places it in the 25th percentile among New Mexico schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and an academic score of 2.2 out of 10. In ELA/Reading, 30% of students are proficient or above, while only 5% meet proficiency standards in Math. The school is focused on student development and has room for significant academic growth.
Mesa Elementary sits in a rural area near Shiprock, offering a close-knit community setting for its students.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Mesa Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Mesa 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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Mesa Elementary — Students at Mesa Elementary score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67.7%
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: 7.7/10.
How Mesa Elementary Compares
See how Mesa Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 2.5% (2019) to 7.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 17% (2019) to 17% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 1803, Shiprock, NM 87420
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mesa Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Beclabito Day School (rated 8.1/10, 18.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Red Rock Day School (rated 8.1/10, 24.9 miles away, in nearby Red Valley), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Atsa' Biya' a'zh Community School (rated 8.0/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Shiprock, see our Shiprock schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 24.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Shiprock Northwest High School Shiprock | 0.7 mi | — |
| Atsa' Biya' a'zh Community School Shiprock | 0.8 mi | 8.0 |
| DREAM DINE CHARTER SCHOOL Shiprock | 1.0 mi | — |
| SHIPROCK HIGH Shiprock | 2.1 mi | 4.4 |
| EVA B STOKELY ELEMENTARY Shiprock | 2.3 mi | 8.0 |
| CAREER PREP ALTERNATIVE Shiprock | 2.4 mi | 6.5 |
| TSE BIT AI MIDDLE Shiprock | 2.7 mi | 5.2 |
| NIZHONI ELEMENTARY Shiprock | 3.0 mi | 3.8 |
| OPEN BIBLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterflow | 13.1 mi | — |
| OPEN BIBLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterflow | 13.1 mi | — |
| Nenahnezad Community School Fruitland | 16.1 mi | 3.7 |
| JUDY NELSON ELEMENTARY Kirtland | 17.3 mi | 5.6 |
| KIRTLAND CENTRAL HIGH Kirtland | 17.9 mi | 6.3 |
| KIRTLAND MIDDLE Kirtland | 18.1 mi | 5.2 |
| KIRTLAND ELEMENTARY Kirtland | 18.7 mi | 5.1 |
| OJO AMARILLO ELEMENTARY Fruitland | 19.1 mi | 4.1 |
| Beclabito Day School Shiprock | 18.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Sanostee Day School Sanostee | 26.5 mi | — |
| Kwiyagat Community Academy Tawoac | 27.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Red Rock Day School Red Valley | 24.9 mi | 8.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 87420 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$38,079
Median Home Value
$101,600
Median Rent
$693/mo
Population
11,048
College Educated
10.9%
Homeownership
54.9%
Avg Commute
31.9 min
Poverty Rate
27.9%
Median Age
35.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mesa Elementary has a median household income of $38,079. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $101,600, with a median rent of $693/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| APACHE ELEMENTARY Albuquerque, NM | 6.1 |
| METTIE JORDAN ELEMENTARY Eunice, NM | 6.1 |
| HAWTHORNE ELEMENTARY Albuquerque, NM | 6.0 |
| NORTH VALLEY ACADEMY Los Ranchos De Albuquerque, NM | 6.0 |
| TWIN LAKES ELEMENTARY Gallup, NM | 6.0 |
| BELLEHAVEN ELEMENTARY Albuquerque, NM | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mesa Elementary
What grades does Mesa Elementary serve?
Mesa Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Mesa Elementary?
Mesa Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 260 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mesa Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Mesa Elementary is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mesa Elementary rank in NM?
Mesa Elementary is ranked #475 out of 864 schools in NM.
What is Mesa Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Mesa Elementary has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Mesa Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mesa Elementary has 5.0% math proficiency and 29.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mesa Elementary a charter school?
No, Mesa Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mesa Elementary a Title I school?
No, Mesa Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mesa Elementary?
67.7% of students at Mesa 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 – 5th
- Enrollment
- 260
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 67.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- San Juan County
- Phone
- (505) 368-4529
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
CENTRAL- District Enrollment
- 4,702
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,470
- District Rank
- #5 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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