Skip to main content

Excellent

#96 of 864 schools in NM

Top 11% in state

Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy

Middle School · LAS CRUCES

505 SOUTH MAIN SUITE 249, Las Cruces, NM 88001

Enrollment

99

Student-Teacher

16.5:1

Score

8.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Las Cruces

#7 of 45

public schools

New Mexico middle schools

#23 of 155

In district

#5 of 39

LAS CRUCES

Academic growth

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy

Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy serves 99 students in grades 6 through 8 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. This regular public middle school runs at a 16.5-to-1 student-teacher ratio — a lean roster that allows consistent, personalized instruction across all three grade levels. The numbers here are hard to overlook.

The school earns an overall composite score of 9.0 out of 10, an Exceptional rating. Academic performance comes in at 9.3, and the growth score reaches a perfect 10.0 — the highest possible, meaning students make measurable gains at a rate that outpaces nearly every school in the state. That profile places the academy 6th among 155 middle schools statewide and 35th out of 864 public schools across New Mexico — outperforming 96% of all public schools in the state.

For Las Cruces families specifically, the local rank matters: Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy sits 3rd out of 45 public schools in the city. For a school with fewer than 100 students, that standing reflects consistently strong execution, not just favorable demographics or selective enrollment.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 99 students, Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress10.0Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+10.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.3Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Overall Proficiency45%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected+22.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
Resources & Environment3.9Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,237

Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy — Students at Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 19.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from NM state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
52%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 10.0/10.

How Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy Compares

See how Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.2/10
89th percentile in NM
Academic
9.3/10
9.3/10
Growth
10.0/10
Above average
Environment
3.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

Location

505 SOUTH MAIN SUITE 249, Las Cruces, NM 88001

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. SIERRA MIDDLE (rated 6.7/10, 1.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, LYNN MIDDLE (rated 6.3/10, 0.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Las Cruces, see our Las Cruces schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
LYNN MIDDLE Las Cruces 0.1 mi 6.3
CONLEE ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 0.6 mi 7.7
HERMOSA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 0.6 mi 5.8
LAS MONTANAS CHARTER Las Cruces 0.8 mi 7.9
DESERT SPRINGS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Las Curces 0.7 mi 7.3
VALLEY VIEW ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 0.9 mi 6.3
UNIVERSITY HILLS ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 1.1 mi 8.2
COLLEGE HEIGHTS KINDERGARTEN Las Cruces 1.2 mi 4.7
SIERRA MIDDLE Las Cruces 1.3 mi 6.7
HILLRISE ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 1.1 mi 5.5
LAS CRUCES HIGH Las Cruces 1.4 mi 4.7
EXPLORE ACADEMY LAS CRUCES Las Cruces 1.6 mi 8.2
NEW AMERICA SCHOOL - LAS CRUCES Las Cruces 1.5 mi 4.6
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON Las Cruces 1.6 mi 5.2
DESERT HILLS ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 1.7 mi 5.9
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 1.6 mi 6.9
LOMA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 1.9 mi 7.6
MISSION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Las Cruces 2.1 mi
ALMA D'ARTE CHARTER Las Cruces 1.8 mi 6.8
J PAUL TAYLOR ACADEMY Las Cruces 1.9 mi 8.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 88001 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$32,978

Median Home Value

$158,300

Median Rent

$797/mo

Population

38,972

College Educated

28.6%

Homeownership

40.9%

Avg Commute

16.5 min

Poverty Rate

38%

Median Age

27.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy has a median household income of $32,978. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $158,300, with a median rent of $797/month. The area has a poverty rate of 38.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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
FORT SUMNER MIDDLE Fort Sumner, NM 8.2
HAGERMAN MIDDLE Hagerman, NM 8.2
ESTANCIA MIDDLE Estancia, NM 8.0
CAPITAN MIDDLE Capitan, NM 8.4
TEXICO MIDDLE Texico, NM 7.9
TULAROSA MIDDLE Tularosa, NM 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy

What grades does Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy serve?

Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy?

Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy has an enrollment of approximately 99 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy rank in NM?

Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy is ranked #96 out of 864 schools in NM.

What is Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy has 19.8% math proficiency and 37.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy a charter school?

No, Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy a Title I school?

No, Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy?

100.0% of students at Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
65 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
52 Bikeable
City Safety
High (5,602/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Las Cruces). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
99
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
alternative
Setting
Midsize City
County
Doña Ana County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

LAS CRUCES
District Enrollment
23,404
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,965
District Rank
#5 of 39

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.

Read our full methodology

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.