Below Average
#788 of 864 schools in NM
Penasco Middle
Middle School · PENASCO
13 SCHOOL RD, Penasco, NM 87553
Enrollment
69
Student-Teacher
34.5:1
Score
4.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
69
Student-Teacher
34.5:1
Score
4.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Penasco
#3 of 3
public schools
New Mexico middle schools
#148 of 155
In district
#3 of 3
PENASCO
About Penasco Middle
Penasco Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the remote rural area of Penasco, New Mexico. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 69 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 34.5:1 with two full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Penasco Middle is currently rated 3.9 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, ranking it 24th percentile among New Mexico schools.
In terms of test scores, 43% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while only 11% meet proficiency standards in Math. With a focus on student development and community engagement, Penasco Middle School aims to provide a supportive educational environment for its rural setting. The school is situated in the heart of Penasco, where it plays an important role in the small-town community.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 69 students, Penasco Middle 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 Middle is 34.5:1, 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 Middle 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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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 4 test records from NM state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.7/10.
How Penasco Middle Compares
See how Penasco Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 5% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54.5% (2019) to 32% (2022).
Location
13 SCHOOL RD, Penasco, NM 87553
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Penasco Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. DIXON ELEMENTARY (rated 8.2/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Espanola), which scores notably higher. Another option is ARROYO DEL NORTE ELEMENTARY (rated 8.0/10, 24.7 miles away, in nearby Arroyo Seco), which scores notably higher. Additionally, TAOS INTEGRATED SCHOOL OF ARTS (rated 7.7/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Taos), 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 | 5.4 |
| 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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| LAGUNA-ACOMA MIDDLE Grants, NM | 4.3 |
| MELROSE JUNIOR Melrose, NM | 4.6 |
| JEMEZ VALLEY MIDDLE Jemez Pueblo, NM | 3.8 |
| COCHITI MIDDLE Pena Blanca, NM | 5.3 |
| OJO CALIENTE ELEMENTARY Ojo Caliente, NM | 3.0 |
| TATUM JR HIGH Tatum, NM | 5.6 |
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 is ranked #788 out of 864 schools in NM.
What is Penasco Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Penasco Middle has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Penasco Middle has 11.0% math proficiency and 43.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
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
- 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
- #3 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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