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Average

#620 of 864 schools in NM

Vista Middle

Middle School · LAS CRUCES

505 SOUTH MAIN SUITE 249, Las Cruces, NM 88001

Enrollment

581

Student-Teacher

15.3:1

Score

5.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Las Cruces

#37 of 45

public schools

New Mexico middle schools

#118 of 155

In district

#32 of 39

LAS CRUCES

About Vista Middle

Vista Middle is a regular public middle school located in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Serving students from sixth through eighth grade, Vista Middle has an enrollment of 581 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1 with 38 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 4.2 out of 10, placing it at the 30th percentile among New Mexico schools, indicating room for academic improvement.

Specifically, 32% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 18% in Math. Despite its current rankings, Vista Middle continues to focus on student development and provides a supportive learning environment within a mid-size city setting. The school is situated at the heart of Las Cruces, offering easy access for families in the area.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.5Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.6Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18%
Reading/ELA Proficiency29%
Overall Proficiency24%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected+1.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
Resources & Environment4.7Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,237

Vista Middle — Students at Vista Middle score 24% 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

99.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 18.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 32.0%
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
19%
ELA
35%
2022
Math
18%
ELA
29%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.5/10.

How Vista Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
5.3/10
28th percentile in NM
Academic
6.6/10
6.6/10
Growth
4.5/10
Below average
Environment
4.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers

Location

505 SOUTH MAIN SUITE 249, Las Cruces, NM 88001

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Vista Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. SIERRA MIDDLE (rated 6.7/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CAMINO REAL MIDDLE (rated 6.6/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PICACHO MIDDLE (rated 5.0/10, 3.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Las Cruces, see our Las Cruces schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.4 mi
School Distance Rating
COLUMBIA ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 0.3 mi 5.9
DONA ANA ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 1.4 mi 7.5
JORNADA ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 1.7 mi 7.0
EAST PICACHO ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 1.7 mi 7.9
RAICES DEL SABER XINACHTLI COMMUNITY Las Cruces 2.9 mi 5.5
MAYFIELD HIGH Las Cruces 3.1 mi 6.2
LOMA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 3.0 mi 7.6
LAS CRUCES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Las Cruces 3.3 mi 8.3
ALAMEDA ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 3.4 mi 5.1
CAMINO REAL MIDDLE Las Cruces 3.0 mi 6.6
HIGHLAND ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 2.9 mi 7.1
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON Las Cruces 3.5 mi 5.2
MISSION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Las Cruces 3.3 mi
EXPLORE ACADEMY LAS CRUCES Las Cruces 3.6 mi 8.2
SIERRA MIDDLE Las Cruces 3.7 mi 6.7
J PAUL TAYLOR ACADEMY Las Cruces 3.9 mi 8.3
MAC ARTHUR ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 4.0 mi 7.1
PICACHO MIDDLE Las Cruces 3.9 mi 5.0
ALMA D'ARTE CHARTER Las Cruces 4.0 mi 6.8
SONOMA ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 3.4 mi 8.5

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Vista Middle has a median household income of $32,978. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $158,300, with a median rent of $797/month. The area has a poverty rate of 38.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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
KIRTLAND MIDDLE Kirtland, NM 5.2
TAYLOR MIDDLE Lovington, NM 5.2
TSE BIT AI MIDDLE Shiprock, NM 5.2
ZIA MIDDLE Las Cruces, NM 5.2
C.V. KOOGLER MIDDLE Aztec, NM 5.5
CHAPARRAL MIDDLE Alamogordo, NM 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Vista Middle

What grades does Vista Middle serve?

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

How many students attend Vista Middle?

Vista Middle has an enrollment of approximately 581 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Vista Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Vista Middle is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Vista Middle rank in NM?

Vista Middle is ranked #620 out of 864 schools in NM.

What is Vista Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Vista Middle has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Vista Middle has 18.5% math proficiency and 32.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Vista Middle a charter school?

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

Is Vista Middle a Title I school?

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

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

99.7% of students at Vista 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

City Safety
High (5,602/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Las Cruces). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
581
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Doña Ana County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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