Average
#681 of 864 schools in NM
Nm School for the Arts
High School · NM SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS
500 MONTEZUMA AVENUE, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Enrollment
342
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
5.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
342
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
5.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Santa Fe
#32 of 40
public schools
New Mexico high schools
#144 of 193
Academic performance
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Nm School for the Arts
NM School for the Arts serves 342 students in grades 9-12 as a charter high school specializing in arts education. Located at 500 Montezuma Avenue in Santa Fe, the school maintains a favorable 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio with 27 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in both academic and artistic pursuits. The school demonstrates strong overall academic performance, earning a 7.8 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking 69th out of 874 New Mexico high schools, placing it in the 92nd percentile statewide.
Students particularly excel in English Language Arts, with 72% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Math performance shows room for growth, with 22% of students meeting proficiency standards, though this is not uncommon for arts-focused schools where students may concentrate more heavily on creative disciplines. The school draws from Santa Fe's educated community, where 61% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $77,400.
The surrounding 87501 ZIP code has a low poverty rate of 8.1% and median home values of $614,500, reflecting the area's relative affluence. NM School for the Arts provides students with specialized arts training while maintaining academic rigor in Santa Fe's culturally rich small city environment.
What Parents Should Know
Nm School for the Arts is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
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Nm School for the Arts — Students at Nm School for the Arts score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
24.3%
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: 4.6/10.
How Nm School for the Arts Compares
See how Nm School for the Arts performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 22% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 72% (2022).
Location
500 MONTEZUMA AVENUE, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Nm School for the Arts may also want to explore other high schools in the area. MANDELA INTERNATIONAL MAGNET (MIMS) (rated 9.0/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is SANTA FE PREPARATORY SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST MICHAELS HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.2/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Santa Fe, see our Santa Fe schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CARLOS GILBERT ELEMENTARY Santa Fe | 0.5 mi | 8.3 |
| WOOD-GORMLEY ELEMENTARY Santa Fe | 0.6 mi | 8.4 |
| GONZALES ELEMENTARY Santa Fe | 0.6 mi | 5.5 |
| NM SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF Santa Fe | 0.8 mi | 7.1 |
| ASPEN COMMUNITY SCHOOL Santa Fe | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| FAYETTE ST ACADEMY Santa Fe | 1.0 mi | 4.9 |
| ACEQUIA MADRE ELEMENTARY Santa Fe | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| E.J. MARTINEZ ELEMENTARY Santa Fe | 1.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Santa Fe Indian School Santa Fe | 1.4 mi | — |
| MANDELA INTERNATIONAL MAGNET (MIMS) Santa Fe | 1.5 mi | 9.0 |
| MAY CENTER FOR LEARNING Santa Fe | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| DESERT MONTESSORI SCHOOL Santa Fe | 1.7 mi | — |
| JOURNEY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Santa Fe | 1.9 mi | 4.6 |
| SANTA FE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Santa Fe | 1.8 mi | 7.3 |
| THE TUTORIAL SCHOOL Santa Fe | 2.2 mi | — |
| NEW MEXICO CONNECTIONS ACADEMY Santa Fe | 2.4 mi | 4.9 |
| ST MICHAELS HIGH SCHOOL Santa Fe | 2.4 mi | 6.2 |
| ATALAYA ELEMENTARY Santa Fe | 2.1 mi | 8.6 |
| RIO GRANDE SCHOOL Santa Fe | 2.2 mi | 6.5 |
| SALAZAR ELEMENTARY Santa Fe | 2.3 mi | 5.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 87501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$81,229
Median Home Value
$649,100
Median Rent
$1,516/mo
Population
15,409
College Educated
60.8%
Homeownership
66.4%
Avg Commute
19.1 min
Poverty Rate
7.2%
Median Age
59.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Nm School for the Arts has a median household income of $81,229. It is a well-educated community where 61% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $649,100, with a median rent of $1,516/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| CROWNPOINT HIGH Crownpoint, NM | 5.0 |
| CENTURY ALT HIGH Los Lunas, NM | 4.9 |
| DESERT PRIDE ACADEMY Anthony, NM | 5.1 |
| TOHATCHI HIGH Tohatchi, NM | 5.1 |
| EUNICE HIGH Eunice, NM | 5.2 |
| LA ACADEMIA DE ESPERANZA Albuquerque, NM | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Nm School for the Arts
What grades does Nm School for the Arts serve?
Nm School for the Arts serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Nm School for the Arts?
Nm School for the Arts has an enrollment of approximately 342 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Nm School for the Arts?
The student-teacher ratio at Nm School for the Arts is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Nm School for the Arts rank in NM?
Nm School for the Arts is ranked #681 out of 864 schools in NM.
What is Nm School for the Arts's MySchoolScout rating?
Nm School for the Arts has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Nm School for the Arts?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nm School for the Arts has 31.2% math proficiency and 77.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Nm School for the Arts a charter school?
Yes, Nm School for the Arts is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Nm School for the Arts a Title I school?
No, Nm School for the Arts is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Nm School for the Arts?
24.3% of students at Nm School for the Arts 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 (6,029/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Santa Fe). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 342
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 24.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Santa Fe County
- Phone
- (505) 310-4194
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NM SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS- District Enrollment
- 342
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,435
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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