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Very Good

#296 of 864 schools in NM

Top 34% in state

Penasco Elementary

Elementary School · PENASCO

13 SCHOOL RD, Penasco, NM 87553

Enrollment

133

Student-Teacher

26.6:1

Score

7.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Penasco

#1 of 3

public schools

New Mexico elementary schools

#174 of 468

In district

#1 of 3

PENASCO

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Penasco Elementary

Penasco Elementary is a small rural school nestled in the picturesque yet remote setting of Penasco, New Mexico. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, this regular public elementary school has an enrollment of 133 students and five full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 26.6:1. With a MySchoolScout Rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranking at number 507 among New Mexico's 874 schools, the school is focused on providing a supportive learning environment with room for academic growth.

Students here are currently performing below state averages in both ELA/Reading (22% proficient or above) and Math (7% proficient or above). Despite these challenges, the dedicated teachers at Penasco Elementary work diligently to help each student achieve their potential within this tight-knit community setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 133 students, Penasco Elementary 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.

The student-teacher ratio at Penasco Elementary is 26.6:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Penasco 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 metrics
Student Progress9.5Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+4.92 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics5.9Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected-3.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,897

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 7.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 22.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from NM state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
32%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.5/10.

How Penasco Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.0/10
66th percentile in NM
Academic
5.9/10
5.9/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
2.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
90%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

Location

13 SCHOOL RD, Penasco, NM 87553

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Penasco Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. DIXON ELEMENTARY (rated 8.2/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Espanola), which scores notably higher. Another option is ARROYO DEL NORTE ELEMENTARY (rated 8.0/10, 24.6 miles away, in nearby Arroyo Seco), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, TAOS INTEGRATED SCHOOL OF ARTS (rated 7.7/10, 16.3 miles away, in nearby Taos), which scores slightly 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 5.4
PENASCO MIDDLE Penasco 0.1 mi 4.3
RANCHOS DE TAOS ELEMENTARY Ranchos De Taos 13.4 mi 6.5
DIXON ELEMENTARY Espanola 11.3 mi 8.2
TAOS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Taos 14.4 mi 6.3
TAOS ACADEMY Taos 15.2 mi 6.0
VISTA GRANDE HIGH SCHOOL Taos 15.2 mi
TAOS MIDDLE Taos 15.3 mi 7.1
TAOS MUNICIPAL CHARTER Taos 15.3 mi 6.8
TAOS HIGH Taos 16.2 mi 6.0
TAOS INTEGRATED SCHOOL OF ARTS Taos 16.3 mi 7.7
ENOS GARCIA ELEMENTARY Taos 17.3 mi 7.0
TAOS CYBER MAGNET Taos 17.3 mi
Taos Day School Taos 19.7 mi 3.8
VELARDE ELEMENTARY Espanola 16.6 mi 6.6
CHIMAYO ELEMENTARY Espanola 18.8 mi 7.0
HOLMAN ELEMENTARY Mora 19.0 mi 7.6
ANANSI CHARTER SCHOOL El Prado 23.3 mi 7.6
ARROYO DEL NORTE ELEMENTARY Arroyo Seco 24.6 mi 8.0
ALCALDE ELEMENTARY Espanola 20.4 mi 5.3

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Penasco Elementary has a median household income of $44,219. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $200,300, with a median rent of $956/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.2%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
CHIMAYO ELEMENTARY Espanola, NM 7.0
HURLEY ELEMENTARY Hurley, NM 7.0
Tse'ii'ahi' Community School Crownpoint, NM 7.0
ACTS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Farmington, NM 7.1
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Las Cruces, NM 6.9
MATHESON PARK ELEMENTARY Albuquerque, NM 6.9

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 is ranked #296 out of 864 schools in NM.

What is Penasco Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Penasco Elementary has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Penasco Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Penasco Elementary has 7.3% math proficiency and 22.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

FBI UCR. County-level only.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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.

Read our full methodology

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