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Below Average

#761 of 864 schools in NM

Thoreau Elementary

Elementary School · GALLUP

#6 FOURTH AVE, Thoreau, NM 87323

Enrollment

385

Student-Teacher

17.5:1

Score

4.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Thoreau

#1 of 3

public schools

New Mexico elementary schools

#411 of 468

In district

#19 of 32

GALLUP

About Thoreau Elementary

Thoreau Elementary is a regular public school located in the rural community of Thoreau, New Mexico. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, it has an enrollment of 385 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.5:1 with 22 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting is remote, offering a unique sense of community among its tight-knit population.

Academically, Thoreau Elementary ranks in the lower half of New Mexico schools, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and an academic score of 3.2 out of 10. On state assessments, only about 21% of students are proficient or above in both ELA/Reading and Math, indicating areas where the school is focusing on student development. While the neighborhood around Thoreau Elementary lacks specific data, its remote rural location provides a close-knit community setting for students to learn and grow.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Thoreau Elementary 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 metrics
Student Progress4.3Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.39 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.7Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17%
Overall Proficiency17%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected-6.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.9Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,054

Thoreau Elementary — Students at Thoreau Elementary score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

94.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 21.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 21.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from NM state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
17%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.3/10.

How Thoreau Elementary Compares

See how Thoreau Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
12th percentile in NM
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
Growth
4.3/10
Below average
Environment
4.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

#6 FOURTH AVE, Thoreau, NM 87323

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Thoreau Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST BONAVENTURE SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is SAN RAFAEL ELEMENTARY (rated 8.3/10, 27.8 miles away, in nearby Grants), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CROWNPOINT ELEMENTARY (rated 7.7/10, 19.3 miles away, in nearby Crownpoint), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Thoreau, see our Thoreau schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.8 mi
School Distance Rating
ST BONAVENTURE SCHOOL Thoreau 0.1 mi 8.8
THOREAU MIDDLE Thoreau 0.9 mi 3.8
THOREAU HIGH Thoreau 1.0 mi 4.1
Baca/Dlo'ay Azhi Community School Prewitt 9.9 mi 7.6
Mariano Lake Community School Crownpoint 13.1 mi 6.1
Dibe Yazhi Habitiin Olta' Inc. Crownpoint 16.9 mi 5.2
CROWNPOINT ELEMENTARY Crownpoint 19.3 mi 7.7
BLUEWATER ELEMENTARY Grants 17.2 mi 7.3
CROWNPOINT HIGH Crownpoint 20.2 mi 5.0
CROWNPOINT MIDDLE Crownpoint 20.2 mi 6.8
T'iis Ts'ozi Bi'Olta' Community School Crownpoint 20.3 mi 4.2
Wingate Elementary School Ft. Wingate 18.7 mi 3.7
Wingate High School Fort Wingate 18.8 mi
RAMAH ELEMENTARY Ramah 24.1 mi 3.5
RAMAH HIGH Ramah 24.9 mi 6.1
MILAN ELEMENTARY Grants 24.3 mi 7.2
CATHERINE A. MILLER ELEMENTARY Church Rock 23.2 mi 3.6
Tse'ii'ahi' Community School Crownpoint 28.6 mi 7.0
SAN RAFAEL ELEMENTARY Grants 27.8 mi 8.3
REHOBOTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rehoboth 25.8 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 87323 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$45,156

Median Home Value

$102,700

Median Rent

$620/mo

Population

3,702

College Educated

18.3%

Homeownership

94.8%

Avg Commute

36.9 min

Poverty Rate

39.2%

Median Age

45.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Thoreau Elementary has a median household income of $45,156. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $102,700, with a median rent of $620/month. The area has a poverty rate of 39.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 37 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
CENTRAL PRIMARY Bloomfield, NM 4.5
CORAL COMMUNITY CHARTER Albuquerque, NM 4.5
CUBA ELEMENTARY Cuba, NM 4.5
DAVID SKEET ELEMENTARY Vanderwagen, NM 4.5
DEL NORTE ELEMENTARY Gallup, NM 4.5
MURRAY ELEMENTARY Hobbs, NM 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Thoreau Elementary

What grades does Thoreau Elementary serve?

Thoreau Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Thoreau Elementary?

Thoreau Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 385 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Thoreau Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Thoreau Elementary is 17.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Thoreau Elementary rank in NM?

Thoreau Elementary is ranked #761 out of 864 schools in NM.

What is Thoreau Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Thoreau Elementary has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Thoreau Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thoreau Elementary has 21.3% math proficiency and 21.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Thoreau Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Thoreau Elementary a Title I school?

No, Thoreau Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thoreau Elementary?

94.8% of students at Thoreau 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Average (337/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
385
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
94.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
McKinley County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

GALLUP
District Enrollment
12,439
Schools in District
33
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,769
District Rank
#19 of 32

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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