Average
#607 of 864 schools in NM
Penasco High
High School · PENASCO
13 SCHOOL RD, Penasco, NM 87553
Enrollment
68
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
68
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Penasco
#2 of 3
public schools
New Mexico high schools
#126 of 193
In district
#2 of 3
PENASCO
About Penasco High
Penasco High is a regular public high school located in the remote rural area of Penasco, New Mexico. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade with an enrollment of 68 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17:1. With four full-time equivalent teachers on staff, the school provides personalized attention to help each student succeed.
Academically, Penasco High has room for growth, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and state ranking of #703 out of 874 schools in New Mexico (20th percentile). In ELA/Reading, 44% of students are proficient or above, while only 19% meet proficiency standards in math. The school is focused on fostering student development and supporting each learner's unique needs.
Penasco High sits in a picturesque rural setting that offers a close-knit community atmosphere for its students.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 68 students, Penasco High 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.
Located in a rural area, Penasco High 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 High — Students at Penasco High score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
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: 2.1/10.
How Penasco High Compares
See how Penasco High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 30% (2022).
Location
13 SCHOOL RD, Penasco, NM 87553
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Penasco High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. TAOS ACADEMY (rated 6.0/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Taos), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, TAOS HIGH (rated 6.0/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Taos), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Penasco, see our Penasco schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 24.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PENASCO MIDDLE Penasco | 0.0 mi | 4.3 |
| PENASCO ELEMENTARY Penasco | 0.1 mi | 7.0 |
| DIXON ELEMENTARY Espanola | 11.2 mi | 8.2 |
| RANCHOS DE TAOS ELEMENTARY Ranchos De Taos | 13.4 mi | 6.5 |
| TAOS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Taos | 14.5 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 | 15.4 mi | 6.8 |
| TAOS HIGH Taos | 16.2 mi | 6.0 |
| TAOS INTEGRATED SCHOOL OF ARTS Taos | 16.4 mi | 7.7 |
| ENOS GARCIA ELEMENTARY Taos | 17.3 mi | 7.0 |
| TAOS CYBER MAGNET Taos | 17.4 mi | — |
| VELARDE ELEMENTARY Espanola | 16.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Taos Day School Taos | 19.7 mi | 3.8 |
| CHIMAYO ELEMENTARY Espanola | 18.7 mi | 7.0 |
| HOLMAN ELEMENTARY Mora | 19.1 mi | 7.6 |
| ANANSI CHARTER SCHOOL El Prado | 23.4 mi | 7.6 |
| ALCALDE ELEMENTARY Espanola | 20.3 mi | 5.3 |
| ARROYO DEL NORTE ELEMENTARY Arroyo Seco | 24.7 mi | 8.0 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Penasco High 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 |
|---|---|
| GRADY HIGH Grady, NM | 5.5 |
| UTE LAKE ONLINE LEARNING CENTER Logan, NM | 5.6 |
| SANDIA VIEW ACADEMY Corrales, NM | 5.7 |
| CHARLIE Y. BROWN ALT Bloomfield, NM | 5.1 |
| FORT SUMNER HIGH Fort Sumner, NM | 5.1 |
| DZIT DIT LOOL SCHOOL OF EMPOWERMENT ACTION AND PERSEVERANCE Navajo, NM | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Penasco High
What grades does Penasco High serve?
Penasco High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Penasco High?
Penasco High has an enrollment of approximately 68 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Penasco High?
The student-teacher ratio at Penasco High is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Penasco High rank in NM?
Penasco High is ranked #607 out of 864 schools in NM.
What is Penasco High's MySchoolScout rating?
Penasco High has a composite rating of 5.4 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 High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Penasco High has 19.0% math proficiency and 43.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Penasco High a charter school?
No, Penasco High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Penasco High a Title I school?
No, Penasco High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Penasco High?
100.0% of students at Penasco High 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 68
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 4
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- 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
- #2 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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