Excellent
#13 of 864 schools in NM
Top 1% in state
White Sands Elementary
Elementary School · LAS CRUCES
505 SOUTH MAIN SUITE 249, Las Cruces, NM 88001
Enrollment
283
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
9.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
283
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
9.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New Mexico schools
#13 of 864
In Las Cruces
#1 of 45
public schools
In district
#1 of 39
LAS CRUCES
Academic performance
9.8 / 10
Excellent
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White Sands Elementary
Elementary School in Las Cruces · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Sunrise Elementary
11.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Cesar Chavez Elementary
11.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About White Sands Elementary
White Sands Elementary is a public elementary school in Las Cruces, NM, part of LAS CRUCES. White Sands Elementary serves approximately 283 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 11.8:1 student-teacher ratio. White Sands Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.3 out of 10 and ranks #13 of 864 schools in NM.
Structured state assessment records for White Sands Elementary show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 9.3 · Excellent
- District avg 6.3
- NM avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
White Sands 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
White Sands Elementary — Students at White Sands Elementary score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 23 test records from NM state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.5/10.
How White Sands Elementary Compares
See how White Sands Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
505 SOUTH MAIN SUITE 249, Las Cruces, NM 88001
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering White Sands Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SONOMA ELEMENTARY (rated 7.3/10, 14.2 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is DESERT HILLS ELEMENTARY (rated 7.0/10, 14.8 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, CONLEE ELEMENTARY (rated 7.0/10, 16.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Las Cruces, see our Las Cruces schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SUNRISE ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 11.1 mi | 4.4 |
| CESAR CHAVEZ ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 11.1 mi | 6.5 |
| ORGAN MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL Las Cruces | 13.0 mi | 5.6 |
| CENTENNIAL HIGH SCHOOL Las Cruces | 14.0 mi | 7.1 |
| MESA MIDDLE Las Cruces | 13.8 mi | 7.3 |
| MONTE VISTA ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 14.1 mi | 6.5 |
| SONOMA ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 14.2 mi | 7.3 |
| DESERT HILLS ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 14.8 mi | 7.0 |
| HIGHLAND ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 14.7 mi | 6.5 |
| HILLRISE ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 15.1 mi | 4.9 |
| CAMINO REAL MIDDLE Las Cruces | 15.0 mi | 7.5 |
| MISSION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Las Cruces | 15.4 mi | — |
| EXPLORE ACADEMY LAS CRUCES Las Cruces | 15.8 mi | 6.3 |
| ARROWHEAD PARK EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL Las Cruces | 16.3 mi | 7.7 |
| LYNN MIDDLE Las Cruces | 16.1 mi | 5.2 |
| MESILLA VALLEY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Las Cruces | 16.1 mi | 9.0 |
| CONLEE ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 16.3 mi | 7.0 |
| UNIVERSITY HILLS ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 16.4 mi | 6.9 |
| SIERRA MIDDLE Las Cruces | 16.3 mi | 5.7 |
| HERMOSA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 16.5 mi | 6.2 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CARLOS GILBERT ELEMENTARY Santa Fe, NM | 9.2 |
| COYOTE WILLOW FAMILY SCHOOL Albuquerque, NM | 9.5 |
| ALTURA PREPARATORY SCHOOL Albuquerque, NM | 9.1 |
| LOVING ELEMENTARY Loving, NM | 9.1 |
| MONTESSORI OF THE RIO GRANDE Albuquerque, NM | 9.1 |
| SIDNEY GUTIERREZ MIDDLE Roswell, NM | 9.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about White Sands Elementary
What grades does White Sands Elementary serve?
White Sands Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend White Sands Elementary?
White Sands Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 283 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at White Sands Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at White Sands Elementary is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does White Sands Elementary rank in NM?
White Sands Elementary ranks #13 of 864 schools in NM.
What is White Sands Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
White Sands Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.3 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 White Sands Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, White Sands Elementary has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is White Sands Elementary a charter school?
No, White Sands Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is White Sands Elementary a Title I school?
No, White Sands Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for White Sands Elementary?
97.9% of students at White Sands 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
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 283
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Doña Ana County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 30.0%
- Phone
- (575) 674-1241
Resources & Links
District
LAS CRUCES- District Enrollment
- 23,404
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,965
- District Rank
- #1 of 39
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