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C+
Schools in Belen · Belen Consolidated Schools, Los Lunas Public Schools

Belen’s public schools score below 60% of New Mexico districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the two public school districts serving Belen, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within New Mexico, not nationally.

#43of 73 New Mexico townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From New Mexico state tests taken in spring 2022, when 93% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
32%
▼ 1 pts vs NM 34%
2021–22
Math proficiency
27%
▲ 3 pts vs NM 24%
2021–22
Graduate on time
72%
▼ 4 pts vs NM 76%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$16.0K
▼ 10% vs NM $17.7K
FY2024 · Los Lunas
Students per teacher
17.3
NM 12.9 · larger classes
Schools in town
8
1,931 students on the public path
In brief

Belen’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 105 New Mexico towns with household incomes within a quarter of Belen’s, its schools beat 59%, higher than their 40% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state in math, below in reading

Reading proficiency is 32% and math 27% across both districts in spring 2022, against 34% and 24% statewide; 72% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 76%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

Belen Consolidated Schools spends $17,283 per student and Los Lunas $15,991, against $17,681 across New Mexico (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

Choice beyond the district

Canon Christian Academy (private) and St. Mary's Catholic School Belen (private) are in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Belen’s grade

B Test scoresC Graduation

C+: better than 40% of New Mexico school districts, #43 of 73 New Mexico towns. Test scores are above the New Mexico average; graduation is below it.

New Mexico school districts we grade (139)Better than 40%
Lower resultsHigher results
New Mexico towns with similar household incomes (105)Better than 59%
CB−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 5,868 test results and a graduating class of 696 could put Belen anywhere from C to B−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 93% of Belen’s students in the tested grades sat them (5,867 in math, 5,867 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Belen, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–6Rio Grande ElementaryBelen Consolidated SchoolsNo scores
7–8Belen MiddleBelen Consolidated SchoolsNo scores
9–12Belen HighBelen Consolidated SchoolsC+

Belen runs its own schools through grade 12 (Belen Consolidated Schools). From grade PK, students attend the Los Lunas Public Schools, shared with Bosque Farms, Los Lunas and Peralta. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve Belen

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Belen Consolidated SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 10 schools · 3,500 students, up 2% since 2020–21 · 15.2 per teacher (NM 12.9)
$17,283NM $17,681 · FY2024
C
Los Lunas Public SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 16 schools · 8,207 students, up 2% since 2020–21 · 18.4 per teacher (NM 12.9)
$15,991NM $17,681 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2021–22

Close to the state in reading

Reading · PK–12, Belen Consolidated Schools29%
State average 33.8% · 1773 students tested
Math · PK–12, Belen Consolidated Schools26%
State average 24.5% · 1774 students tested
Reading · PK–12, Los Lunas Public Schools34%
State average 33.8% · 4094 students tested
Math · PK–12, Los Lunas Public Schools28%
State average 24.5% · 4093 students tested

Belen vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the New Mexico towns that share Belen’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
BelenC+Belen Consolidated Schools PK–12 · Los Lunas PK–12

Every school in Belen

8 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with New Mexico’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Belenby address
Rio Grande Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–6
332 students12:1Rate it →
Central Elementary
Middle · Grades 4–6
166 students11:1Rate it →
Belen Middle
Middle · Grades 7–8
475 students16:1Rate it →
Belen High
High · Grades 9–12
C+
958 students19:1Rate it →
Other district programsby referral or application
Belen Infinity High
High · Grades 9–12
Alternative Education
112 students12:1Rate it →
Belen Family School
Elementary · Grades 1–8
Alternative Education
154 students29:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Canon Christian Academy
Grades PK–12
Private · Religious
228 students12:1Rate it →
St. Mary's Catholic School Belen
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
166 students16:1Rate it →

Questions about Belen’s schools

Are Belen’s schools good?

On New Mexico’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Belen children attend score below 60% of New Mexico’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #43 of 73 New Mexico towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 59%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Belen in?

Two districts: Belen Consolidated Schools runs grades PK–12, and Los Lunas Public Schools runs grades PK–12, shared with Bosque Farms, Los Lunas and Peralta.

Where do Belen kids go to high school?

Belen High, with 958 students; its own test results earn a C+.

What is Belen’s graduation rate?

72% of the class of 2023 in Los Lunas Public Schools graduated in four years, against 76% across New Mexico.

How much does Belen spend per student?

$17,283 in Belen Consolidated Schools and $15,991 in Los Lunas Public Schools (FY2024), against $17,681 across New Mexico. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Belen?

Yes: Canon Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 228 students) and St. Mary's Catholic School Belen (Catholic, grades PK–8, 166 students).

Parents talk

What Belen families are saying about school.

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School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within New Mexico. Stars are from neighbors.