Excellent
#70 of 864 schools in NM
Top 8% 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
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
283
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Las Cruces
#3 of 45
public schools
New Mexico elementary schools
#45 of 468
In district
#3 of 39
LAS CRUCES
Academic performance
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About White Sands Elementary
White Sands Elementary is a public elementary school in Las Cruces, NM, part of the LAS CRUCES. The school serves approximately 283 students in grades Pre-K – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 11.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 92nd percentile among NM schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 55% proficiency in math and 60% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (7.9/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $32,978, where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, White Sands 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
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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 4 test records from NM state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.9/10.
How White Sands Elementary Compares
See how White Sands Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 57% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 62% (2022).
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 8.5/10, 14.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is UNIVERSITY HILLS ELEMENTARY (rated 8.2/10, 16.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, CONLEE ELEMENTARY (rated 7.7/10, 16.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 | 6.7 |
| CESAR CHAVEZ ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 11.1 mi | 6.7 |
| ORGAN MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL Las Cruces | 13.0 mi | 4.9 |
| CENTENNIAL HIGH SCHOOL Las Cruces | 14.0 mi | 6.8 |
| MESA MIDDLE Las Cruces | 13.8 mi | 6.6 |
| MONTE VISTA ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 14.1 mi | 6.4 |
| SONOMA ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 14.2 mi | 8.5 |
| DESERT HILLS ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 14.8 mi | 5.9 |
| HIGHLAND ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 14.7 mi | 7.1 |
| HILLRISE ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 15.1 mi | 5.5 |
| CAMINO REAL MIDDLE Las Cruces | 15.0 mi | 6.6 |
| MISSION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Las Cruces | 15.4 mi | — |
| EXPLORE ACADEMY LAS CRUCES Las Cruces | 15.8 mi | 8.2 |
| ARROWHEAD PARK EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL Las Cruces | 16.3 mi | 5.5 |
| LYNN MIDDLE Las Cruces | 16.1 mi | 6.3 |
| MESILLA VALLEY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Las Cruces | 16.1 mi | 8.2 |
| CONLEE ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 16.3 mi | 7.7 |
| UNIVERSITY HILLS ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 16.4 mi | 8.2 |
| SIERRA MIDDLE Las Cruces | 16.3 mi | 6.7 |
| HERMOSA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 16.5 mi | 5.8 |
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 White Sands Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| CORONADO ELEMENTARY Albuquerque, NM | 8.4 |
| DENNIS CHAVEZ ELEMENTARY Belen, NM | 8.4 |
| RATON INTERMEDIATE Raton, NM | 8.4 |
| WOOD-GORMLEY ELEMENTARY Santa Fe, NM | 8.4 |
| CARLOS GILBERT ELEMENTARY Santa Fe, NM | 8.3 |
| J PAUL TAYLOR ACADEMY Las Cruces, NM | 8.3 |
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 is ranked #70 out of 864 schools in NM.
What is White Sands Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
White Sands Elementary has a composite rating of 8.4 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 White Sands Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, White Sands Elementary has 54.5% math proficiency and 59.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Las Cruces). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (575) 674-1241
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
LAS CRUCES- District Enrollment
- 23,404
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,965
- District Rank
- #3 of 39
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.
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