Below Average
#753 of 864 schools in NM
Velarde Elementary
Elementary School · ESPANOLA
405 HUNTER ST, Espanola, NM 87532
Enrollment
58
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
58
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New Mexico schools
#753 of 864
In Espanola
#10 of 14
public schools
In district
#10 of 13
ESPANOLA
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Velarde Elementary
Elementary School in Espanola · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Alcalde Elementary
4.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Dixon Elementary
6.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Velarde Elementary
Velarde Elementary is a public elementary school in Espanola, NM, part of ESPANOLA. Velarde Elementary serves approximately 58 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 11.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Velarde Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #753 of 864 schools in NM.
Structured state assessment records for Velarde Elementary show 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.5 · Below Average
- District avg 5.3
- NM avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
At 58 students, Velarde Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Velarde Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
57% of students at Velarde Elementary 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Velarde Elementary — Students at Velarde Elementary score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 19 test records from NM state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.3/10.
How Velarde Elementary Compares
See how Velarde Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
405 HUNTER ST, Espanola, NM 87532
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Velarde Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. DIXON ELEMENTARY (rated 7.3/10, 6.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HERNANDEZ ELEMENTARY (rated 6.8/10, 10.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LOS NINOS ELEMENTARY (rated 6.6/10, 12.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Espanola, see our Espanola schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ALCALDE ELEMENTARY Espanola | 4.8 mi | 4.0 |
| DIXON ELEMENTARY Espanola | 6.3 mi | 7.3 |
| SAN JUAN ELEMENTARY Espanola | 8.2 mi | 3.2 |
| Ohkay Owingeh Community School Ohkay Owingeh | 8.3 mi | 4.6 |
| CHIMAYO ELEMENTARY Espanola | 10.0 mi | 5.8 |
| ESPANOLA VALLEY HIGH Espanola | 10.2 mi | 5.1 |
| EUTIMIO SALAZAR ELEMENTARY Espanola | 10.8 mi | 5.5 |
| HERNANDEZ ELEMENTARY Espanola | 10.1 mi | 6.8 |
| MCCURDY CHARTER SCHOOL Espanola | 11.2 mi | 5.5 |
| CAMINO DE PAZ SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 11.5 mi | — |
| HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 11.5 mi | 6.4 |
| TONY QUINTANA ELEMENTARY Espanola | 12.3 mi | 5.3 |
| CARLOS F. VIGIL MIDDLE Espanola | 11.8 mi | 5.7 |
| JAMES RODRIGUEZ ELEMENTARY Espanola | 12.2 mi | 2.9 |
| VALLEY BAPTIST ACADEMY Espanola | 12.7 mi | 5.5 |
| LOS NINOS ELEMENTARY Espanola | 12.2 mi | 6.6 |
| MESA VISTA HIGH Ojo Caliente | 12.9 mi | 6.4 |
| OJO CALIENTE ELEMENTARY Ojo Caliente | 12.9 mi | 6.1 |
| MESA VISTA MIDDLE Ojo Caliente | 12.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Kha'p'o Community School Espanola | 13.6 mi | 3.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 87532 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,077
Median Home Value
$225,000
Median Rent
$887/mo
Population
19,522
College Educated
23.2%
Homeownership
71.4%
Avg Commute
29.5 min
Poverty Rate
16.6%
Median Age
39.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| SHEPHERD LUTHERAN Albuquerque, NM | 4.5 |
| JOURNEY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Santa Fe, NM | 4.6 |
| Dibe Yazhi Habitiin Olta' Inc. Crownpoint, NM | 4.2 |
| WILLIAM W & JOSEPHINE DORN CHARTER COMMUNITY SCHOOL Albuquerque, NM | 4.2 |
| SAN ANTONIO ELEMENTARY San Antonio, NM | 4.1 |
| T'siya Day School Zia Pueblo, NM | 4.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Velarde Elementary
What grades does Velarde Elementary serve?
Velarde Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Velarde Elementary?
Velarde Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 58 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Velarde Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Velarde Elementary is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Velarde Elementary rank in NM?
Velarde Elementary ranks #753 of 864 schools in NM.
What is Velarde Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Velarde Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Velarde Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Velarde Elementary has 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Velarde Elementary a charter school?
No, Velarde Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Velarde Elementary a Title I school?
No, Velarde Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Velarde Elementary?
84.5% of students at Velarde 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 58
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 84.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Rio Arriba County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 56.9%
- Phone
- (505) 852-4331
Resources & Links
District
ESPANOLA- District Enrollment
- 2,852
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,809
- District Rank
- #10 of 13
Other Schools in This District
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