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Average

#541 of 864 schools in NM

Sierra Middle

Middle School · LAS CRUCES

505 SOUTH MAIN SUITE 249, Las Cruces, NM 88001

Enrollment

752

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

5.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Mexico schools

#541 of 864

In Las Cruces

#30 of 45

public schools

In district

#25 of 39

LAS CRUCES

Academic performance

7.7 / 10

Very Good

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Sierra Middle

5.7/10

Middle School in Las Cruces · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Explore Academy Las Cruces

6.3/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Loma Heights Elementary

5.3/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Sierra Middle

Sierra Middle is a public middle school in Las Cruces, NM, part of LAS CRUCES. Sierra Middle serves approximately 752 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. Sierra Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #541 of 864 schools in NM.

Structured state assessment records for Sierra Middle show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 5.7 · Average
  • District avg 6.5
  • NM avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

47% of students at Sierra Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-2.43 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.7Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency35% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency29% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)22% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+7.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,965
Chronic Absenteeism47.2%

Sierra Middle — Students at Sierra Middle score 29% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 29.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 23 test records from NM state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
35%
ELA
47%
2010
Math
41%
ELA
58%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
66%
2012
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
47%
ELA
59%
2014
Math
18%
ELA
23%
2015
Math
15%
ELA
25%
2016
Math
21%
ELA
29%
2017
Math
20%
2018
Math
21%
ELA
29%
2019
Math
21%
ELA
29%
2022
Math
23%
ELA
35%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.8/10.

How Sierra Middle Compares

See how Sierra Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.7/10
38th percentile in NM
Academic
7.7/10
Very Good
Growth
4.8/10
Below Average
Environment
4.4/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
47 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
47.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

505 SOUTH MAIN SUITE 249, Las Cruces, NM 88001

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sierra Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. MESILLA VALLEY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY (rated 9.0/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LYNN MIDDLE (rated 5.2/10, 1.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Las Cruces, see our Las Cruces schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
EXPLORE ACADEMY LAS CRUCES Las Cruces 0.5 mi 6.3
LOMA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 0.7 mi 5.3
HERMOSA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 0.8 mi 6.2
DESERT SPRINGS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Las Curces 0.8 mi 7.3
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON Las Cruces 0.7 mi 4.8
MISSION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Las Cruces 1.2 mi
MESILLA VALLEY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Las Cruces 1.3 mi 9.0
LYNN MIDDLE Las Cruces 1.3 mi 5.2
NEW AMERICA SCHOOL - LAS CRUCES Las Cruces 1.4 mi 4.6
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 1.5 mi 7.0
VALLEY VIEW ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 1.6 mi 5.6
ALAMEDA ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 1.5 mi 4.2
ALMA D'ARTE CHARTER Las Cruces 1.5 mi 6.9
DESERT HILLS ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 1.5 mi 7.0
J PAUL TAYLOR ACADEMY Las Cruces 1.5 mi 7.1
LAS MONTANAS CHARTER Las Cruces 1.8 mi 6.8
CONLEE ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 1.9 mi 7.0
LAS CRUCES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Las Cruces 1.6 mi 8.3
JORNADA ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 1.9 mi 7.8
LAS CRUCES HIGH Las Cruces 2.2 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 88001 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$32,978

Median Home Value

$158,300

Median Rent

$797/mo

Population

38,972

College Educated

28.6%

Homeownership

40.9%

Avg Commute

16.5 min

Poverty Rate

38%

Median Age

27.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
TRUMAN MIDDLE Albuquerque, NM 5.7
MOUNTAIN VIEW MIDDLE Roswell, NM 5.8
JAMES MONROE MIDDLE Albuquerque, NM 5.6
LOS LUNAS MIDDLE Los Lunas, NM 5.6
BERRENDO MIDDLE Roswell, NM 5.5
C.V. KOOGLER MIDDLE Aztec, NM 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sierra Middle

What grades does Sierra Middle serve?

Sierra Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Sierra Middle?

Sierra Middle has an enrollment of approximately 752 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sierra Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Sierra Middle is 16:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sierra Middle rank in NM?

Sierra Middle ranks #541 of 864 schools in NM.

What is Sierra Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Sierra Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 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 Sierra Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sierra Middle has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Sierra Middle a charter school?

No, Sierra Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Sierra Middle a Title I school?

No, Sierra Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sierra Middle?

100.0% of students at Sierra 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
26 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
752
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
47
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Doña Ana County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
47.2%

District

LAS CRUCES
District Enrollment
23,404
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,965
District Rank
#25 of 39

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