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
Enrollment
99
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
8.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy — Students at Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 2.5% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 52% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (575) 527-6059
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
LAS CRUCES- District Enrollment
- 23,404
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,965
- District Rank
- #5 of 39
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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