Photo: Joe Mabel · CC BY 3.0Kirtland AFB’s public schools score below 60% of New Mexico districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Kirtland AFB, 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.
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.
Kirtland AFB’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 103 New Mexico towns with household incomes within a quarter of Kirtland AFB’s, its schools beat 35%, lower than their 40% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on tests
Reading proficiency is 36% and math 25% in spring 2022, against 34% and 24% statewide; 69% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 76%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $17,449 per student, against $17,681 across New Mexico (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Two elementary schools, then 33 middle and 16 high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 10% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
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.
What’s behind Kirtland AFB’s grade
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.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Kirtland AFB, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Kirtland AFB · depends on your address
Sandia Base Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 280 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Albuquerque
Wherry Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 240 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Albuquerque
Kindergarten in Kirtland AFB · depends on your address
Sandia Base Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 280 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Albuquerque
Wherry Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 240 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Albuquerque
1st grade in Kirtland AFB · depends on your address
Sandia Base Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 280 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Albuquerque
Wherry Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 240 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Albuquerque
2nd grade in Kirtland AFB · depends on your address
Sandia Base Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 280 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Albuquerque
Wherry Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 240 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Albuquerque
3rd grade in Kirtland AFB · depends on your address
Sandia Base Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 280 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Albuquerque
Wherry Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 240 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Albuquerque
4th grade in Kirtland AFB · depends on your address
Sandia Base Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 280 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Albuquerque
Wherry Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 240 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Albuquerque
5th grade in Kirtland AFB · depends on your address
Sandia Base Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 280 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Albuquerque
Wherry Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 240 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Albuquerque
6th grade in Kirtland AFB
Sandia Base Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 280 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Albuquerque
Kirtland AFB’s public schools are run by Albuquerque Public Schools, which also serves Albuquerque, Corrales, Edgewood and Los Ranchos de Albuquerque and others. 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.
Above the state in reading
Kirtland AFB vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New Mexico towns that share Kirtland AFB’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Kirtland AFB | C+ | Albuquerque |
| Albuquerque | C+ | Albuquerque |
Every school in Kirtland AFB
49 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).
Questions about Kirtland AFB’s schools
Are Kirtland AFB’s schools good?
On New Mexico’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Kirtland AFB 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 35%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Kirtland AFB in?
Albuquerque Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 73,992 students in 170 schools (2024–25).
Where do Kirtland AFB kids go to high school?
One of 16 high schools, depending on your address: Volcano Vista High, Atrisco Heritage Academy HS, La Cueva High, Sandia High, Eldorado High, Albuquerque High, West Mesa High, Cibola High, Rio Grande High, Manzano High, Highland High, Del Norte High, Valley High, College and Career High School, Early College Academy and Nex Gen Academy.
What is Kirtland AFB’s graduation rate?
69% of the class of 2023 in Albuquerque Public Schools graduated in four years, against 76% across New Mexico.
How much does Kirtland AFB spend per student?
$17,449 in Albuquerque Public Schools (FY2024), against $17,681 across New Mexico. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Kirtland AFB families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Kirtland AFB → 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.