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Very Good

#142 of 864 schools in NM

Top 16% in state

Based on limited data

Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts

Elementary School · RIO GRANDE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS

1401 OLD COORS RD SW, Albuquerque, NM 87121

Charter Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 185 schools in ALBUQUERQUE. Learn more

Enrollment

141

Student-Teacher

11.8:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 7th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Albuquerque

#41 of 189

public schools

New Mexico elementary schools

#85 of 468

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts

Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts serves 141 students from kindergarten through seventh grade in Albuquerque's southwest corridor. This charter elementary school maintains an intimate learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 11.8:1, supported by 12 full-time equivalent teachers. The school has earned recognition for its performance, ranking #162 out of 874 schools statewide and placing in the 82nd percentile among New Mexico elementary schools.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10, Rio Grande Academy demonstrates solid academic standing within the state's educational landscape. As a charter school specializing in fine arts education, Rio Grande Academy offers families an alternative to traditional public schooling while maintaining public accessibility. The school's focus on creative education provides students with opportunities to develop artistic skills alongside core academic subjects during these formative elementary and middle school years.

The academy draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $53,326 and median home values average $172,800. About 13% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 22% of families live below the poverty line, reflecting the mixed socioeconomic character of this southwest Albuquerque neighborhood. Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts is situated in a large suburban area along Old Coors Road, serving families throughout Albuquerque's growing western communities.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 141 students, Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts 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.

Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Partial Profile · 2/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics6.3Above Average55%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.·Area estimate · Based on 185 schools in ALBUQUERQUE
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional45%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.8:1

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

How Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts Compares

See how Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
84th percentile in NM
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

Location

1401 OLD COORS RD SW, Albuquerque, NM 87121

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ALBUQUERQUE COLLEGIATE CHARTER SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 1.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is NAVAJO ELEMENTARY (rated 7.3/10, 1.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, EDWARD GONZALES ELEMENTARY (rated 6.8/10, 1.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Albuquerque, see our Albuquerque schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
LA ACADEMIA DE ESPERANZA Albuquerque 0.0 mi 5.2
WESTERN HEIGHTS LEARNING CENTER Albuquerque 0.2 mi 3.9
MISSION ACHIEVEMENT AND SUCCESS 2.0 Albuquerque 0.2 mi 6.4
ABUNDANT LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Albuquerque 0.5 mi 6.0
ATRISCO ELEMENTARY Albuquerque 0.7 mi 4.7
ALAMOSA ELEMENTARY Albuquerque 0.9 mi 4.6
RIO GRANDE HIGH Albuquerque 0.8 mi 5.2
MARK ARMIJO ACADEMY Albuquerque 1.0 mi 5.9
KIT CARSON ELEMENTARY Albuquerque 1.3 mi 6.4
MARYANN BINFORD ELEMENTARY Albuquerque 1.3 mi 4.8
SOUTH VALLEY ACADEMY Albuquerque 1.6 mi 6.2
LEGACY ACADEMY Albuquerque 1.6 mi 5.8
MOUNTAIN VIEW MENNONITE SCHOOL Albuquerque 1.6 mi
ALBUQUERQUE COLLEGIATE CHARTER SCHOOL Albuquerque 1.4 mi 7.5
ERNIE PYLE MIDDLE Albuquerque 1.5 mi 6.4
NAVAJO ELEMENTARY Albuquerque 1.8 mi 7.3
TOWER ROAD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Albuquerque 1.5 mi 5.4
ROBERT F. KENNEDY CHARTER Albuquerque 1.8 mi 5.5
EDWARD GONZALES ELEMENTARY Albuquerque 1.6 mi 6.8
NEW AMERICA SCHOOL Albuquerque 1.7 mi 3.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 87121 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,184

Median Home Value

$192,500

Median Rent

$1,277/mo

Population

76,135

College Educated

13%

Homeownership

76.4%

Avg Commute

25.8 min

Poverty Rate

21.8%

Median Age

31.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts has a median household income of $59,184. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $192,500, with a median rent of $1,277/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
ARROYO DEL NORTE ELEMENTARY Arroyo Seco, NM 8.0
Atsa' Biya' a'zh Community School Shiprock, NM 8.0
DURANES ELEMENTARY Albuquerque, NM 7.8
Dzilth-Na-O-Dith-Hle Community School Bloomfield, NM 8.1
Isleta Elementary School Albuquerque, NM 8.1
MAGDALENA ELEMENTARY Magdalena, NM 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts

What grades does Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts serve?

Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts serves students in grades Kindergarten through 7th.

How many students attend Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts?

Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts has an enrollment of approximately 141 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts?

The student-teacher ratio at Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts rank in NM?

Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts is ranked #142 out of 864 schools in NM.

What is Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts's MySchoolScout rating?

Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts has a composite rating of 7.9 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.

Is Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts a charter school?

Yes, Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts a Title I school?

No, Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts?

100.0% of students at Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
31 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (5,820/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Albuquerque). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 7th
Enrollment
141
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Bernalillo County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

RIO GRANDE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
District Enrollment
141
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,988
District Rank
#1 of 1

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.

Read our full methodology

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