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Below Average

#739 of 864 schools in NM

Zia Middle

Middle School · LAS CRUCES

505 SOUTH MAIN SUITE 249, Las Cruces, NM 88001

Enrollment

626

Student-Teacher

14.9:1

Score

4.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Mexico schools

#739 of 864

In Las Cruces

#42 of 45

public schools

In district

#36 of 39

LAS CRUCES

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Zia Middle

4.6/10

Middle School in Las Cruces · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Rio Grande Preparatory Institute

6.2/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Las Cruces Academy

7.0/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Zia Middle

Zia Middle is a public middle school in Las Cruces, NM, part of LAS CRUCES. Zia Middle serves approximately 626 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Zia Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #739 of 864 schools in NM.

Structured state assessment records for Zia Middle show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.9 pts below district
  • This school 4.6 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.5
  • NM avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

44% of students at Zia Middle 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 metrics
Student Progress3.6Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-2.83 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.1Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency22% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency18% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)22% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-4.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
Resources & Environment5.5Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,965
Chronic Absenteeism43.5%

Zia Middle — Students at Zia Middle score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 23.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 38.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 23 test records from NM state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
34%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
35%
ELA
53%
2011
Math
36%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
36%
ELA
57%
2013
Math
38%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
13%
ELA
20%
2015
Math
18%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
16%
ELA
28%
2017
Math
15%
2018
Math
12%
ELA
25%
2019
Math
12%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
13%
ELA
22%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.6/10.

How Zia Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
4.6/10
15th percentile in NM
Academic
5.1/10
Average
Growth
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.5/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
43.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

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 Zia Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. LA ACADEMIA DOLORES HUERTA (rated 8.0/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is TOMBAUGH ELEMENTARY (rated 7.9/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, DESERT SPRINGS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.3/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Las Curces), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Las Cruces, see our Las Cruces schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
RIO GRANDE PREPARATORY INSTITUTE Mesilla 0.5 mi 6.2
LAS CRUCES ACADEMY Mesilla 0.6 mi 7.0
MESILLA PARK ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 0.7 mi 6.2
MESILLA ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 0.8 mi 6.5
LA ACADEMIA DOLORES HUERTA Las Cruces 0.8 mi 8.0
LAS CRUCES HIGH Las Cruces 1.5 mi 5.5
TOMBAUGH ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 1.7 mi 7.9
MESILLA VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Las Cruces 1.6 mi 5.9
VALLEY VIEW ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 2.0 mi 5.6
COLLEGE HEIGHTS KINDERGARTEN Las Cruces 1.9 mi 4.8
LAS MONTANAS CHARTER Las Cruces 2.1 mi 6.8
NEW AMERICA SCHOOL - LAS CRUCES Las Cruces 2.3 mi 4.6
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 2.3 mi 7.0
ALMA D'ARTE CHARTER Las Cruces 2.5 mi 6.9
J PAUL TAYLOR ACADEMY Las Cruces 2.5 mi 7.1
MAC ARTHUR ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 2.5 mi 4.7
UNIVERSITY HILLS ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 2.3 mi 6.9
CONLEE ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 2.5 mi 7.0
DESERT SPRINGS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Las Curces 2.7 mi 7.3
HERMOSA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY Las Cruces 2.8 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
LINCOLN MIDDLE Rio Rancho, NM 4.6
MCKINLEY MIDDLE Albuquerque, NM 4.8
CHAPARRAL MIDDLE Alamogordo, NM 4.3
MOUNTAIN VIEW MIDDLE Alamogordo, NM 5.1
TSE BIT AI MIDDLE Shiprock, NM 5.1
LYNN MIDDLE Las Cruces, NM 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Zia Middle

What grades does Zia Middle serve?

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

How many students attend Zia Middle?

Zia Middle has an enrollment of approximately 626 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Zia Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Zia Middle is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Zia Middle rank in NM?

Zia Middle ranks #739 of 864 schools in NM.

What is Zia Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Zia Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 Zia Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Zia Middle has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Zia Middle a charter school?

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

Is Zia Middle a Title I school?

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

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

99.4% of students at Zia 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

Walk Score
20 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
626
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
42
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Doña Ana County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
43.5%

District

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

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