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B−
Schools in Carlsbad · Carlsbad Municipal Schools

Carlsbad’s public schools score below 51% of New Mexico districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the public school district serving Carlsbad, 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.

#34of 73 New Mexico townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From New Mexico state tests taken in spring 2022, when 92% 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%
▼ 2 pts vs NM 34%
2021–22
Math proficiency
23%
▼ 2 pts vs NM 24%
2021–22
Graduate on time
78%
▲ 2 pts vs NM 76%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$16.0K
▼ 9% vs NM $17.7K
FY2024
Students per teacher
16.7
NM 12.9 · larger classes
Schools in town
14
6,832 students on the public path
In brief

Carlsbad’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 132 New Mexico towns with household incomes within a quarter of Carlsbad’s, its schools beat 58%, higher than their 49% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 32% of tested students were proficient in reading and 23% in math, against 34% and 24% statewide; 92% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

78% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 76% across New Mexico. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $16,025 per student, against $17,681 across New Mexico (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Six elementary schools, then two middle and two high schools

Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Jefferson Montessori and Faith Christian Academy (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 Carlsbad’s grade

B− Test scoresB− Graduation

B−: better than 49% of New Mexico school districts, #34 of 73 New Mexico towns. Graduation is above the New Mexico average; test scores are below it.

New Mexico school districts we grade (139)Better than 49%
Lower resultsHigher results
New Mexico towns with similar household incomes (132)Better than 58%
C+BA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 4,572 test results and a graduating class of 473 could put Carlsbad anywhere from C+ to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 92% of Carlsbad’s students in the tested grades sat them (4,568 in math, 4,575 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–56 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
6–82 middle schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
9–122 high schoolsDepends on your addressA

Carlsbad’s public schools are run by Carlsbad Municipal Schools. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

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

Carlsbad Municipal SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 13 schools · 7,217 students, up 5% since 2020–21 · 16.7 per teacher (NM 12.9)
$16,025NM $17,681 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading32%
State average 33.8% · 4575 students tested
Math23%
State average 24.5% · 4568 students tested

Carlsbad vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
CarlsbadB−Carlsbad Municipal Schools

Every school in Carlsbad

14 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 Carlsbadby address
Ocotillo Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
621 students16:1Rate it →
Hillcrest Preschool
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
316 students15:1Rate it →
Early Childhood Education Center
Elementary · Grades PK–K
207 students18:1Rate it →
Cottonwood Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
684 students15:1Rate it →
Desert Willow Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
667 students15:1Rate it →
Sunset Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
438 students17:1Rate it →
Monterrey Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
366 students17:1Rate it →
Carlsbad Intermediate School - PR Leyva Campus
Middle · Grades 6–8
908 students19:1Rate it →
Carlsbad Sixth Grade Academy - Alta Vista Campus
Middle · Grades 6–8
740 students15:1Rate it →
Carlsbad High
High · Grades 9–12
1,685 students20:1Rate it →
Carlsbad Early College High
High · Grades 9–12
A
200 students14:1Rate it →
Other district programsby referral or application
Carlsbad Enrichment Center
Grades 1–12
Alternative Education
170 students16:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
Jefferson Montessori
Grades K–12
C
Charter
215 students11:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Faith Christian Academy
Grades 1–12
Private · Religious
63 students13:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Edison Elementary).

Questions about Carlsbad’s schools

Are Carlsbad’s schools good?

On New Mexico’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Carlsbad children attend score below 51% of New Mexico’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #34 of 73 New Mexico towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 58%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Carlsbad in?

Carlsbad Municipal Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 7,217 students in 13 schools (2024–25).

Where do Carlsbad kids go to high school?

One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Carlsbad High and Carlsbad Early College High.

What is Carlsbad’s graduation rate?

78% of the class of 2023 in Carlsbad Municipal Schools graduated in four years, against 76% across New Mexico.

How much does Carlsbad spend per student?

$16,025 in Carlsbad Municipal Schools (FY2024), against $17,681 across New Mexico. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Carlsbad?

Yes: Faith Christian Academy (religious, grades 1–12, 63 students). Carlsbad also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.

Parents talk

What Carlsbad families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Carlsbad → They have their own page.

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.