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#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

Charter

Enrollment

342

Student-Teacher

12.7:1

Score

5.0

Grades

9th – 12th

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.98 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.5Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+2.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
College Readiness2.3Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation4.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,178

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

24.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 31.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 77.8%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from NM state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
27%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
44.5%
ELA
84.5%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
72%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.0/10
21th percentile in NM
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
4.6/10
Below average
Environment
5.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
24%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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