Excellent
#21 of 864 schools in NM
Top 2% in state
Rio Grande Elementary
Elementary School · BELEN
520 NORTH MAIN ST, Belen, NM 87002
Enrollment
359
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
9.0
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
359
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
9.0
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Belen
#1 of 10
public schools
New Mexico elementary schools
#19 of 468
In district
#1 of 10
BELEN
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Rio Grande Elementary
Rio Grande Elementary is a public school in Belen, New Mexico, serving pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With 359 students and a 13.3-to-1 student-teacher ratio, the school keeps classes small — a structural advantage that shows up directly in its results. The performance numbers are among the strongest in the state.
Rio Grande earns a composite score of 9.0 out of 10, with an academic score of 9.3 and a particularly high growth score of 9.7 — reflecting consistent, measurable gains for students year over year. The school carries an Exceptional rating, the highest tier on MySchoolScout. Zoom out to the statewide picture and the numbers become even more striking.
Rio Grande ranks #21 out of 864 public schools in New Mexico, outperforming 98% of schools statewide, and holds the #19 spot among 468 elementary schools specifically. Within Belen, it sits at #1 among all 10 schools in the city. For families comparing public elementary options in the area, Rio Grande sets the local benchmark.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Rio Grande Elementary — Students at Rio Grande Elementary score 44% proficient, which is above 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 4 test records from NM state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.7/10.
How Rio Grande Elementary Compares
See how Rio Grande Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 42% (2022).
Location
520 NORTH MAIN ST, Belen, NM 87002
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Rio Grande Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. DENNIS CHAVEZ ELEMENTARY (rated 8.4/10, 5.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is BELEN FAMILY SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 0.1 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, ST MARY'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL BELEN (rated 7.7/10, 1.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Belen, see our Belen schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BELEN FAMILY SCHOOL Belen | 0.1 mi | 7.7 |
| BELEN INFINITY HIGH Belen | 0.9 mi | 5.2 |
| BELEN MIDDLE Belen | 0.9 mi | 4.6 |
| CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Belen | 1.2 mi | 6.6 |
| ST MARY'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL BELEN Belen | 1.4 mi | 7.7 |
| CANON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Belen | 2.1 mi | 6.1 |
| LA MERCED ELEMENTARY Belen | 1.9 mi | 5.3 |
| BELEN HIGH Belen | 2.0 mi | 5.0 |
| DEL RIO ACADEMY Los Lunas | 2.8 mi | 3.4 |
| GIL SANCHEZ ELEMENTARY Belen | 3.2 mi | 7.0 |
| DENNIS CHAVEZ ELEMENTARY Belen | 5.0 mi | 8.4 |
| TOME ELEMENTARY Los Lunas | 6.4 mi | 6.3 |
| VALENCIA MIDDLE SCHOOL Los Lunas | 6.9 mi | 5.9 |
| DESERT VIEW ELEMENTARY Los Lunas | 7.5 mi | 5.2 |
| VALENCIA HIGH Los Lunas | 8.3 mi | 6.2 |
| SCHOOL OF DREAMS ACADEMY Los Lunas | 9.9 mi | 5.8 |
| CENTURY ALT HIGH Los Lunas | 10.1 mi | 4.9 |
| LOS LUNAS MIDDLE Los Lunas | 10.4 mi | 5.1 |
| RAYMOND GABALDON ELEMENTARY Los Lunas | 10.7 mi | 6.9 |
| LOS LUNAS ELEMENTARY Los Lunas | 10.7 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 87002 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$51,537
Median Home Value
$183,700
Median Rent
$859/mo
Population
21,375
College Educated
18.8%
Homeownership
82.1%
Avg Commute
26.6 min
Poverty Rate
19.6%
Median Age
45.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Rio Grande Elementary has a median household income of $51,537. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $183,700, with a median rent of $859/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.6%. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| ASPEN ELEMENTARY Los Alamos, NM | 9.0 |
| MONTE VISTA ELEMENTARY Albuquerque, NM | 9.0 |
| MOUNTAIN MAHOGANY COMMUNITY SCHOOL Albuquerque, NM | 9.0 |
| PERALTA ELEMENTARY Los Lunas, NM | 9.1 |
| PINON ELEMENTARY White Rock, NM | 9.1 |
| ALVARADO ELEMENTARY Albuquerque, NM | 8.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rio Grande Elementary
What grades does Rio Grande Elementary serve?
Rio Grande Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Rio Grande Elementary?
Rio Grande Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 359 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Rio Grande Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Rio Grande Elementary is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Rio Grande Elementary rank in NM?
Rio Grande Elementary is ranked #21 out of 864 schools in NM.
What is Rio Grande Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Rio Grande Elementary has a composite rating of 9.0 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 Rio Grande Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rio Grande Elementary has 37.0% math proficiency and 34.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Rio Grande Elementary a charter school?
No, Rio Grande Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Rio Grande Elementary a Title I school?
No, Rio Grande Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rio Grande Elementary?
100.0% of students at Rio Grande Elementary 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 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Belen). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 359
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Valencia County
- Phone
- (505) 966-2200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
BELEN- District Enrollment
- 3,564
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,218
- District Rank
- #1 of 10
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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