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City of Espanola - Industrial park view (2012)Photo: Rr0044 · CC BY-SA 3.0
C−
Schools in Española · Española Municipal Schools

Española’s public schools score below 78% of New Mexico districts on tests and graduation

In Española, 11% of tested students are proficient in math, below the New Mexico average (24%). The grade covers the public school district serving Española, 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.

#68of 73 New Mexico townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From New Mexico state tests taken in spring 2022, when 95% 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
19%
▼ 15 pts vs NM 34%
2021–22
Math proficiency
11%
▼ 14 pts vs NM 24%
2021–22
Graduate on time
76%
▼ 0 pts vs NM 76%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$19.5K
▲ 10% vs NM $17.7K
FY2024
Students per teacher
12.1
NM 12.9 · smaller classes
Schools in town
6
1,022 students on the public path
In brief

Española’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 124 New Mexico towns with household incomes within a quarter of Española’s, its schools beat 17%, lower than their 22% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 19% of tested students were proficient in reading and 11% in math, against 34% and 24% statewide; 95% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

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

Spending and class size

The district spends $19,529 per student, against $17,681 across New Mexico (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one middle school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 7 the district’s path is Carlos F. Vigil Middle. Enrollment is down 39% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

McCurdy Charter School and Holy Cross Catholic School (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 Española’s grade

D Test scoresC+ Graduation

C−: better than 22% of New Mexico school districts, #68 of 73 New Mexico towns. Both inputs trail the New Mexico average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.

New Mexico school districts we grade (139)Better than 22%
Lower resultsHigher results
New Mexico towns with similar household incomes (124)Better than 17%
DCA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,542 test results and a graduating class of 225 could put Española anywhere from D to C. The tests are from spring 2022, when 95% of Española’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,543 in math, 1,542 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–62 schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
7–8Carlos F. Vigil MiddleEspañola Municipal SchoolsNo scores

Española’s public schools are run by Española 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.

Española Municipal SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 12 schools · 1,876 students, down 39% since 2020–21 · 12.1 per teacher (NM 12.9)
$19,529NM $17,681 · FY2024
C−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading19%
State average 33.8% · 1542 students tested
Math11%
State average 24.5% · 1543 students tested

Española vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
EspañolaC−Española Municipal Schools

Every school in Española

6 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 Españolaby address
Eutimio Salazar Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–6 · Espanola
339 students13:1Rate it →
Los Ninos Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–K · Espanola
71 students9:1Rate it →
James Rodriguez Elementary
Elementary · Grades 1–6 · Espanola
233 students13:1Rate it →
Carlos F. Vigil Middle
Middle · Grades 7–8 · Espanola
379 students14:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
McCurdy Charter School
Grades K–12 · Espanola
Charter
557 students14:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Holy Cross Catholic School
Elementary · Grades PK–8 · Santa Cruz
Private · Catholic
60 students10:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Espanola Valley High).

Questions about Española’s schools

Are Española’s schools good?

On New Mexico’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Española children attend score below 78% of New Mexico’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #68 of 73 New Mexico towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 17%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Española in?

Española Municipal Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,876 students in 12 schools (2024–25).

What is Española’s graduation rate?

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

How much does Española spend per student?

$19,529 in Española Municipal Schools (FY2024), against $17,681 across New Mexico. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Española?

Yes: Holy Cross Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 60 students). Española also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.

Parents talk

What Española families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Española → 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.