Below Average
#749 of 864 schools in NM
Vista Grande Elementary
Elementary School · RIO RANCHO
7001 CHAYOTE RD NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144
Enrollment
758
Student-Teacher
27.1:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
758
Student-Teacher
27.1:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Rio Rancho
#20 of 22
public schools
New Mexico elementary schools
#404 of 468
In district
#18 of 20
RIO RANCHO
Academic performance
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Vista Grande Elementary
Vista Grande Elementary serves about 758 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Rio Rancho, a rural area near town in Sandoval County. The school has 28 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a student-teacher ratio of 27.1:1. Academically, Vista Grande scores a 6.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout's rating system and ranks in the 67th percentile among New Mexico's elementary schools (#292 out of 874).
The school's academic score is 8.5 out of 10. In reading and language arts, 62% of students perform at proficient levels or above. Math performance shows room for improvement, with 31% of students reaching proficiency across grade levels.
This performance profile suggests Vista Grande has particular strength in literacy instruction while focusing on strengthening mathematics outcomes. The school's solid state ranking indicates it's performing better than many peers across New Mexico, though continued academic growth remains a priority for the school community. Located in a rural setting, Vista Grande serves the Rio Rancho area and provides a neighborhood school option for local families.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Vista Grande Elementary is 27.1:1, 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, Vista Grande 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Vista Grande Elementary — Students at Vista Grande Elementary score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
27.6%
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
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.4/10.
How Vista Grande Elementary Compares
See how Vista Grande Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 25% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 49% (2022).
Location
7001 CHAYOTE RD NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Vista Grande Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. CIELO AZUL ELEMENTARY (rated 7.7/10, 5.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is WD CARROLL ELEMENTARY (rated 7.5/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Bernalillo), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SANDIA VISTA ELEMENTARY (rated 6.1/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Rio Rancho, see our Rio Rancho schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SANDIA VISTA ELEMENTARY Rio Rancho | 2.1 mi | 6.1 |
| MOUNTAIN VIEW MIDDLE Rio Rancho | 2.1 mi | 6.0 |
| CLEVELAND HIGH SCHOOL Rio Rancho | 2.5 mi | 7.6 |
| SANDOVAL ACADEMY OF BILINGUAL EDUCATION Rio Rancho | 2.5 mi | 5.6 |
| ENCHANTED HILLS ELEMENTARY Rio Rancho | 4.6 mi | 5.8 |
| SHINING STARS PRESCHOOL Rio Rancho | 4.3 mi | 5.8 |
| BERNALILLO ELEMENTARY Bernalillo | 4.1 mi | 7.1 |
| RIO RANCHO MIDDLE SCHOOL Rio Rancho | 4.7 mi | 7.5 |
| SPARTAN LEARNING ACADEMY Bernalillo | 4.3 mi | 6.3 |
| BERNALILLO HIGH Bernalillo | 4.6 mi | 4.8 |
| INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL Rio Rancho | 5.5 mi | 4.3 |
| WD CARROLL ELEMENTARY Bernalillo | 4.7 mi | 7.5 |
| LA ESCUELITA EARLY CHILDHOOD Bernalillo | 4.7 mi | 7.4 |
| THE ASK ACADEMY Rio Rancho | 6.1 mi | 6.7 |
| ERNEST STAPLETON ELEMENTARY Rio Rancho | 5.9 mi | 5.8 |
| CIELO AZUL ELEMENTARY Rio Rancho | 5.3 mi | 7.7 |
| RIO RANCHO HIGH Rio Rancho | 6.2 mi | 7.4 |
| EAGLE RIDGE MIDDLE Rio Rancho | 6.1 mi | 7.1 |
| SANDIA VIEW ACADEMY Corrales | 6.8 mi | 5.7 |
| SANDIA VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Corrales | 6.8 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 87144 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$90,973
Median Home Value
$280,600
Median Rent
$1,670/mo
Population
49,976
College Educated
34%
Homeownership
86.2%
Avg Commute
33.1 min
Poverty Rate
8.5%
Median Age
37.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Vista Grande Elementary has a median household income of $90,973. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $280,600, with a median rent of $1,670/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| CENTRAL PRIMARY Bloomfield, NM | 4.5 |
| COLLEGE LANE ELEMENTARY Hobbs, NM | 4.4 |
| PUESTA DEL SOL ELEMENTARY Rio Rancho, NM | 4.6 |
| MCKINLEY ELEMENTARY Farmington, NM | 4.2 |
| RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY Sunland Park, NM | 4.2 |
| DEL NORTE ELEMENTARY Roswell, NM | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Vista Grande Elementary
What grades does Vista Grande Elementary serve?
Vista Grande Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Vista Grande Elementary?
Vista Grande Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 758 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Vista Grande Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Vista Grande Elementary is 27.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Vista Grande Elementary rank in NM?
Vista Grande Elementary is ranked #749 out of 864 schools in NM.
What is Vista Grande Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Vista Grande 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 Vista Grande Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Vista Grande Elementary has 31.0% math proficiency and 62.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Vista Grande Elementary a charter school?
No, Vista Grande Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Vista Grande Elementary a Title I school?
No, Vista Grande Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Vista Grande Elementary?
27.6% of students at Vista 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
- City Safety
- High (1,662/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Rio Rancho). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 758
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 27.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 27.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Sandoval County
- Phone
- (505) 771-2366
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
RIO RANCHO- District Enrollment
- 16,725
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,392
- District Rank
- #18 of 20
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.
Read our full methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.