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Below Average

#801 of 864 schools in NM

Penasco Elementary

Elementary School · PENASCO

13 SCHOOL RD, Penasco, NM 87553

Enrollment

133

Student-Teacher

26.6:1

Score

4.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Mexico schools

#801 of 864

In Penasco

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

PENASCO

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Penasco Elementary

4.0/10

Elementary School in Penasco · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Penasco High

8.1/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Penasco Middle

6.3/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Penasco Elementary

Penasco Elementary is a public elementary school in Penasco, NM, part of PENASCO. Penasco Elementary serves approximately 133 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 26.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Penasco Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #801 of 864 schools in NM.

Structured state assessment records for Penasco Elementary show 19% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.2 pts below NM schools
  • This school 4.0 · Below Average
  • NM avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

At 133 students, Penasco Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Penasco Elementary runs 26.6:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Penasco Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-2.9 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.9Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency22% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)25% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-3.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,106
Chronic Absenteeism50.4%

Penasco Elementary — Students at Penasco Elementary score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

89.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 19.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 31.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 23 test records from NM state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
27%
ELA
52%
2011
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
17%
2015
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2016
Math
12%
ELA
7.5%
2017
Math
7.5%
2018
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
32%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.4/10.

How Penasco Elementary Compares

See how Penasco Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.0/10
7th percentile in NM
Academic
5.9/10
Average
Growth
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.5/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
90%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
50.4%

Location

13 SCHOOL RD, Penasco, NM 87553

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Penasco Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. TAOS INTEGRATED SCHOOL OF ARTS (rated 8.6/10, 16.3 miles away, in nearby Taos), which scores notably higher. Another option is TAOS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 14.4 miles away, in nearby Taos), which scores notably higher. Additionally, DIXON ELEMENTARY (rated 7.3/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Espanola), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Penasco, see our Penasco schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.4 mi
School Distance Rating
PENASCO HIGH Penasco 0.1 mi 8.1
PENASCO MIDDLE Penasco 0.1 mi 6.3
RANCHOS DE TAOS ELEMENTARY Ranchos De Taos 13.4 mi 6.2
DIXON ELEMENTARY Espanola 11.3 mi 7.3
TAOS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Taos 14.4 mi 7.4
TAOS ACADEMY Taos 15.2 mi 8.8
VISTA GRANDE HIGH SCHOOL Taos 15.2 mi
TAOS MIDDLE Taos 15.3 mi 6.5
TAOS MUNICIPAL CHARTER Taos 15.3 mi 5.9
TAOS HIGH Taos 16.2 mi 6.3
TAOS INTEGRATED SCHOOL OF ARTS Taos 16.3 mi 8.6
ENOS GARCIA ELEMENTARY Taos 17.3 mi 5.8
TAOS CYBER MAGNET Taos 17.3 mi
Taos Day School Taos 19.7 mi 3.6
VELARDE ELEMENTARY Espanola 16.6 mi 4.5
CHIMAYO ELEMENTARY Espanola 18.8 mi 5.8
HOLMAN ELEMENTARY Mora 19.0 mi 7.3
ANANSI CHARTER SCHOOL El Prado 23.3 mi 7.2
ARROYO DEL NORTE ELEMENTARY Arroyo Seco 24.6 mi 6.4
ALCALDE ELEMENTARY Espanola 20.4 mi 4.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 87553 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$44,219

Median Home Value

$200,300

Median Rent

$956/mo

Population

1,470

College Educated

14.8%

Homeownership

78.1%

Poverty Rate

15.2%

Median Age

41.3

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
ALCALDE ELEMENTARY Espanola, NM 4.0
Ojo Encino Day School Cuba, NM 4.0
JUNCTION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hobbs, NM 4.1
ALTA VISTA ELEMENTARY Questa, NM 4.2
DZILTH-NA-O-DITH-HLE COMMUNITY GRANT SCHOOL Bloomfield, NM 3.8
EUGENE FIELD ELEMENTARY Albuquerque, NM 3.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Penasco Elementary

What grades does Penasco Elementary serve?

Penasco Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Penasco Elementary?

Penasco Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 133 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Penasco Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Penasco Elementary is 26.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Penasco Elementary rank in NM?

Penasco Elementary ranks #801 of 864 schools in NM.

What is Penasco Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Penasco Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Penasco Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Penasco Elementary has 19% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Penasco Elementary a charter school?

No, Penasco Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Penasco Elementary a Title I school?

No, Penasco Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Penasco Elementary?

89.5% of students at Penasco 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
22 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
20 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
133
Student-Teacher Ratio
26.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
89.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Taos County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
50.4%

District

PENASCO
District Enrollment
270
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$26,106
District Rank
#3 of 3

Other Schools in This District

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