Average
#418 of 864 schools in NM
Top 48% in state
Penasco Middle
Middle School · PENASCO
13 SCHOOL RD, Penasco, NM 87553
Enrollment
69
Student-Teacher
34.5:1
Score
6.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
69
Student-Teacher
34.5:1
Score
6.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New Mexico schools
#418 of 864
In Penasco
#2 of 3
public schools
In district
#2 of 3
PENASCO
Academic growth
8.2 / 10
Excellent
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Penasco Middle
Middle School in Penasco · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Penasco High
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 Middle
Penasco Middle is a public middle school in Penasco, NM, part of PENASCO. Penasco Middle serves approximately 69 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 34.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Penasco Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #418 of 864 schools in NM.
Structured state assessment records for Penasco Middle show 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 6.3 · Average
- NM avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
At 69 students, Penasco Middle 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 Middle runs 34.5:1 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 Middle 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Penasco Middle — Students at Penasco Middle score 24% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 23 test records from NM state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.2/10.
How Penasco Middle Compares
See how Penasco Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
13 SCHOOL RD, Penasco, NM 87553
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Penasco Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. TAOS ACADEMY (rated 8.8/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Taos), which scores notably higher. Another option is TAOS INTEGRATED SCHOOL OF ARTS (rated 8.6/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Taos), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PENASCO HIGH (rated 8.1/10), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Penasco, see our Penasco schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 24.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PENASCO HIGH Penasco | 0.0 mi | 8.1 |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| CLAYTON JUNIOR HIGH Clayton, NM | 6.3 |
| KISER ELEMENTARY Clayton, NM | 6.3 |
| OJO CALIENTE ELEMENTARY Ojo Caliente, NM | 6.1 |
| QUESTA JR HIGH Questa, NM | 6.1 |
| COCHITI MIDDLE Pena Blanca, NM | 6.6 |
| FLOYD MIDDLE Floyd, NM | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Penasco Middle
What grades does Penasco Middle serve?
Penasco Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Penasco Middle?
Penasco Middle has an enrollment of approximately 69 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Penasco Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Penasco Middle is 34.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Penasco Middle rank in NM?
Penasco Middle ranks #418 of 864 schools in NM.
What is Penasco Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Penasco Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 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 Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Penasco Middle has 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Penasco Middle a charter school?
No, Penasco Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Penasco Middle a Title I school?
No, Penasco Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Penasco Middle?
97.1% of students at Penasco Middle 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 69
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 34.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 2
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Taos County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 20.3%
- Phone
- (575) 587-2230
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
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