Excellent
#109 of 864 schools in NM
Top 13% in state
Penasco High
High School · PENASCO
13 SCHOOL RD, Penasco, NM 87553
Enrollment
68
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
8.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
68
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
8.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New Mexico schools
#109 of 864
In Penasco
#1 of 3
public schools
In district
#1 of 3
PENASCO
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Penasco High?
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Penasco High
High School in Penasco · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Penasco Middle
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Penasco Elementary
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Penasco High
Penasco High is a public high school in Penasco, NM, part of PENASCO. Penasco High serves approximately 68 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17:1 student-teacher ratio. Penasco High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #109 of 864 schools in NM.
Structured state assessment records for Penasco High show 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 8.1 · Excellent
- NM avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
At 68 students, Penasco High 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 High 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 · 4/4 metricsView 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 27 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: 9.4/10.
How Penasco High Compares
See how Penasco High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 8.8/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Taos), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, TAOS HIGH (rated 6.3/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Taos), a more accessible option. 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 | 6.3 |
| PENASCO ELEMENTARY Penasco | 0.1 mi | 4.0 |
| DIXON ELEMENTARY Espanola | 11.2 mi | 7.3 |
| RANCHOS DE TAOS ELEMENTARY Ranchos De Taos | 13.4 mi | 6.2 |
| TAOS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Taos | 14.5 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 | 15.4 mi | 5.9 |
| TAOS HIGH Taos | 16.2 mi | 6.3 |
| TAOS INTEGRATED SCHOOL OF ARTS Taos | 16.4 mi | 8.6 |
| ENOS GARCIA ELEMENTARY Taos | 17.3 mi | 5.8 |
| TAOS CYBER MAGNET Taos | 17.4 mi | — |
| VELARDE ELEMENTARY Espanola | 16.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Taos Day School Taos | 19.7 mi | 3.6 |
| CHIMAYO ELEMENTARY Espanola | 18.7 mi | 5.8 |
| HOLMAN ELEMENTARY Mora | 19.1 mi | 7.3 |
| ANANSI CHARTER SCHOOL El Prado | 23.4 mi | 7.2 |
| ALCALDE ELEMENTARY Espanola | 20.3 mi | 4.0 |
| ARROYO DEL NORTE ELEMENTARY Arroyo Seco | 24.7 mi | 6.4 |
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 |
|---|---|
| FLOYD HIGH Floyd, NM | 8.0 |
| TWIN BUTTES CYBER ACADEMY Zuni, NM | 8.0 |
| SCHOOL ON WHEELS HIGH SCHOOL Albuquerque, NM | 8.3 |
| MOUNTAINAIR HIGH Mountainair, NM | 7.8 |
| CARRIZOZO HIGH Carrizozo, NM | 8.4 |
| SPRINGER HIGH Springer, NM | 8.4 |
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 ranks #109 of 864 schools in NM.
What is Penasco High's MySchoolScout rating?
Penasco High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 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 High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Penasco High has 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 17.6%
- Phone
- (575) 587-2230
- 4-Year Graduation
- 69.5%
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
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