Needs Improvement
#815 of 864 schools in NM
Nizhoni Elementary
Elementary School · CENTRAL
P.O. BOX 3567, Shiprock, NM 87420
Enrollment
253
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
253
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Shiprock
#6 of 6
public schools
New Mexico elementary schools
#436 of 468
In district
#15 of 15
CENTRAL
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Nizhoni Elementary
Nizhoni Elementary is a public elementary school nestled in the rural area near Shiprock, New Mexico. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade with an enrollment of 253 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12:1, ensuring that each child receives individual attention. With 21 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Nizhoni Elementary is dedicated to fostering a supportive learning environment.
The school's MySchoolScout rating stands at 2.6 out of 10 and ranks #825 among the state’s 874 schools in New Mexico (placing it in the 6th percentile). Academically, Nizhoni Elementary has room for improvement, with only 16% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and just 6% proficient or above in Math. However, the school continues to focus on student development and strives to provide a nurturing environment that encourages growth.
Nizhoni Elementary is situated in an area surrounded by rural landscapes near Shiprock, offering its students a unique setting that complements their educational journey.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Nizhoni 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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Data not available for this school
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Nizhoni Elementary — Students at Nizhoni Elementary score 2% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
70%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.1/10.
How Nizhoni Elementary Compares
See how Nizhoni Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 2.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 2.5% (2022).
Location
P.O. BOX 3567, Shiprock, NM 87420
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Nizhoni Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Beclabito Day School (rated 8.1/10, 18.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Red Rock Day School (rated 8.1/10, 22.4 miles away, in nearby Red Valley), which scores notably higher. Additionally, EVA B STOKELY ELEMENTARY (rated 8.0/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Shiprock, see our Shiprock schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 23.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| TSE BIT AI MIDDLE Shiprock | 0.2 mi | 5.2 |
| EVA B STOKELY ELEMENTARY Shiprock | 0.9 mi | 8.0 |
| SHIPROCK HIGH Shiprock | 1.0 mi | 4.4 |
| CAREER PREP ALTERNATIVE Shiprock | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| DREAM DINE CHARTER SCHOOL Shiprock | 2.3 mi | — |
| Shiprock Northwest High School Shiprock | 3.1 mi | — |
| MESA ELEMENTARY Shiprock | 3.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Atsa' Biya' a'zh Community School Shiprock | 3.1 mi | 8.0 |
| OPEN BIBLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterflow | 14.0 mi | — |
| OPEN BIBLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterflow | 14.0 mi | — |
| Nenahnezad Community School Fruitland | 16.7 mi | 3.7 |
| Beclabito Day School Shiprock | 18.2 mi | 8.1 |
| JUDY NELSON ELEMENTARY Kirtland | 18.1 mi | 5.6 |
| KIRTLAND CENTRAL HIGH Kirtland | 18.7 mi | 6.3 |
| KIRTLAND MIDDLE Kirtland | 18.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Sanostee Day School Sanostee | 23.6 mi | — |
| OJO AMARILLO ELEMENTARY Fruitland | 19.4 mi | 4.1 |
| KIRTLAND ELEMENTARY Kirtland | 19.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Red Rock Day School Red Valley | 22.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Red Valley/Cove High School Teec Nos Pos | 23.1 mi | — |
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 Nizhoni 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 |
|---|---|
| BROWN EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Portales, NM | 3.8 |
| R.M. SWEENEY ELEMENTARY Santa Fe, NM | 3.8 |
| STAGECOACH ELEMENTARY Gallup, NM | 3.8 |
| LOCKWOOD ELEMENTARY Clovis, NM | 3.7 |
| NORTH ELEMENTARY Alamogordo, NM | 3.7 |
| SUNSET ELEMENTARY Roswell, NM | 3.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Nizhoni Elementary
What grades does Nizhoni Elementary serve?
Nizhoni Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Nizhoni Elementary?
Nizhoni Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 253 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Nizhoni Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Nizhoni Elementary is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Nizhoni Elementary rank in NM?
Nizhoni Elementary is ranked #815 out of 864 schools in NM.
What is Nizhoni Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Nizhoni Elementary has a composite rating of 3.8 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 Nizhoni Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nizhoni Elementary has 5.7% math proficiency and 15.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Nizhoni Elementary a charter school?
No, Nizhoni Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Nizhoni Elementary a Title I school?
No, Nizhoni Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Nizhoni Elementary?
70.0% of students at Nizhoni 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
- 253
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 70.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- San Juan County
- Phone
- (505) 368-4565
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
CENTRAL- District Enrollment
- 4,702
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,470
- District Rank
- #15 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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