Photo: Terry Umbenhaur · CC BY-SA 3.0Las Cruces’s public schools outscore 54% of New Mexico districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Las Cruces, 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 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.
Las Cruces’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 143 New Mexico towns with household incomes within a quarter of Las Cruces’s, its schools beat 67%, higher than their 54% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 33% of tested students were proficient in reading and 22% in math, against 34% and 24% statewide; 93% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
82% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 76% across New Mexico. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $16,907 per student, against $17,681 across New Mexico (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
17 elementary schools, then six middle and four high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Alma D'Arte Charter, J Paul Taylor Academy, New America School - Las Cruces, Las Montanas Charter, Explore Academy Las Cruces, Las Cruces Catholic School (private), College Heights Kindergarten (private), Desert Springs Christian Academy (private), Mission Lutheran School (private) and Las Cruces Seventh-Day Adventist 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.
What’s behind Las Cruces’s grade
B−: better than 54% of New Mexico school districts, #30 of 73 New Mexico towns. Graduation is above the New Mexico average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Las Cruces, with each school’s own grade.
Las Cruces’s public schools are run by Las Cruces Public Schools, which also serves Mesilla. 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.
Close to the state in reading
Las Cruces vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New Mexico towns that share Las Cruces’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Las Cruces | B− | Las Cruces |
| Mesilla | B− | Las Cruces |
Every school in Las Cruces
40 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).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (La Academia Dolores Huerta).
Questions about Las Cruces’s schools
Are Las Cruces’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of New Mexico: the public schools Las Cruces children attend outscore 54% of New Mexico’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #30 of 73 New Mexico towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 67%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Las Cruces in?
Las Cruces Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 22,670 students in 39 schools (2024–25).
Where do Las Cruces kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: Organ Mountain High School, Centennial High School, Las Cruces High and Mayfield High.
What is Las Cruces’s graduation rate?
82% of the class of 2023 in Las Cruces Public Schools graduated in four years, against 76% across New Mexico.
How much does Las Cruces spend per student?
$16,907 in Las Cruces Public Schools (FY2024), against $17,681 across New Mexico. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Las Cruces?
Yes: Las Cruces Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 300 students), College Heights Kindergarten (religious, grades PK–K, 57 students), Desert Springs Christian Academy (religious, grades K–11, 56 students), Mission Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–6, 47 students) and Las Cruces Seventh-Day Adventist Academy (religious, grades K–7, 12 students). Las Cruces also has 5 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Las Cruces families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Las Cruces → 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.