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
Enrollment
133
Student-Teacher
26.6:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Penasco Elementary — Students at Penasco Elementary score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
89.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 4 test records from NM state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 2.5% (2019) to 12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 12% (2019) to 32% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (575) 587-2230
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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