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Below Average

#799 of 864 schools in NM

Thoreau High

High School · GALLUP

4 HAWK CIRCLE, Thoreau, NM 87323

Enrollment

488

Student-Teacher

22.2:1

Score

4.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Thoreau

#2 of 3

public schools

New Mexico high schools

#178 of 193

In district

#23 of 32

GALLUP

About Thoreau High

Thoreau High serves students in grades 9 through 12 and is the sole high school for the small town of Thoreau, located in a remote rural area of McKinley County, New Mexico. With an enrollment of 488 students, the school offers a student-teacher ratio of 22.2:1, ensuring that each student receives personalized attention from teachers. Despite its challenging environment and low academic rankings, Thoreau High is dedicated to supporting its students' educational needs and community development.

The school's MySchoolScout rating of 2.0 out of 10 places it at the 3rd percentile among New Mexico schools, with an academic score of 1.3/10. In terms of proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, only 19% of students are proficient or above, while a mere 2% achieve proficiency in math. While these scores indicate areas for improvement, Thoreau High remains committed to fostering student growth and development.

Thoreau High is situated in an isolated rural setting, where the school serves as a vital community resource for its students and families.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Thoreau High is 22.2:1, 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, Thoreau High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.5Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-2.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.2Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency12%
Overall Proficiency7%
Expected (poverty-adj.)24%
vs. Expected-16.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile5th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,054

Thoreau High — Students at Thoreau High score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

92.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 2.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 19.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 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
2%
ELA
26%
2022
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.5/10.

How Thoreau High Compares

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

Overall Score
4.1/10
8th percentile in NM
Academic
2.2/10
2.2/10
Growth
3.5/10
Below average
Environment
2.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
93%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

4 HAWK CIRCLE, Thoreau, NM 87323

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Thoreau High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. RAMAH HIGH (rated 6.1/10, 25.3 miles away, in nearby Ramah), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CROWNPOINT HIGH (rated 5.0/10, 19.4 miles away, in nearby Crownpoint), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Thoreau, see our Thoreau schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 26.1 mi
School Distance Rating
THOREAU MIDDLE Thoreau 0.1 mi 3.8
THOREAU ELEMENTARY Thoreau 1.0 mi 4.5
ST BONAVENTURE SCHOOL Thoreau 1.1 mi 8.8
Mariano Lake Community School Crownpoint 12.1 mi 6.1
Baca/Dlo'ay Azhi Community School Prewitt 10.6 mi 7.6
CROWNPOINT ELEMENTARY Crownpoint 18.6 mi 7.7
Dibe Yazhi Habitiin Olta' Inc. Crownpoint 16.6 mi 5.2
CROWNPOINT HIGH Crownpoint 19.4 mi 5.0
CROWNPOINT MIDDLE Crownpoint 19.4 mi 6.8
T'iis Ts'ozi Bi'Olta' Community School Crownpoint 19.6 mi 4.2
BLUEWATER ELEMENTARY Grants 18.1 mi 7.3
Wingate Elementary School Ft. Wingate 18.1 mi 3.7
Wingate High School Fort Wingate 18.2 mi
RAMAH ELEMENTARY Ramah 24.5 mi 3.5
CATHERINE A. MILLER ELEMENTARY Church Rock 22.4 mi 3.6
RAMAH HIGH Ramah 25.3 mi 6.1
Tse'ii'ahi' Community School Crownpoint 27.6 mi 7.0
MILAN ELEMENTARY Grants 25.2 mi 7.2
REHOBOTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rehoboth 25.1 mi 6.3
INDIAN HILLS ELEMENTARY Gallup 26.1 mi 5.4

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 High 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
ZUNI HIGH Zuni, NM 3.9
ABQ CHARTER ACADEMY Albuquerque, NM 4.3
HOT SPRINGS HIGH T Or C, NM 4.3
SHIPROCK HIGH Shiprock, NM 4.4
HATCH VALLEY HIGH Hatch, NM 4.5
SILVER HIGH Silver City, NM 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Thoreau High

What grades does Thoreau High serve?

Thoreau High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Thoreau High?

Thoreau High has an enrollment of approximately 488 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Thoreau High?

The student-teacher ratio at Thoreau High is 22.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Thoreau High rank in NM?

Thoreau High is ranked #799 out of 864 schools in NM.

What is Thoreau High's MySchoolScout rating?

Thoreau High has a composite rating of 4.1 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 High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thoreau High has 2.3% math proficiency and 19.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Thoreau High a charter school?

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

Is Thoreau High a Title I school?

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

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

92.6% of students at Thoreau High 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
9th – 12th
Enrollment
488
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
92.6%
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
#23 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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