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Schools in Los Alamos · Los Alamos Public Schools

Los Alamos’s public schools outscore 96% of New Mexico districts

On the state math tests, 60% of Los Alamos’s students scored proficient, above the New Mexico average (24%). The grade covers the public school district serving Los Alamos, 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.

#1of 73 New Mexico townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From New Mexico state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% 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
67%
▲ 33 pts vs NM 34%
2021–22
Math proficiency
60%
▲ 36 pts vs NM 24%
2021–22
Graduate on time
96%
▲ 20 pts vs NM 76%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$16.5K
▼ 6% vs NM $17.7K
FY2024
Students per teacher
12.6
NM 12.9
Schools in town
6
3,016 students on the public path
In brief

Los Alamos’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 34 New Mexico towns with household incomes within a quarter of Los Alamos’s, its schools beat 91%, lower than their 96% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 67% and math 60% in spring 2022, against 34% and 24% statewide; 96% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 76%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $16,540 per student, against $17,681 across New Mexico (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Three elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 7 the district’s path is Los Alamos Middle, then Los Alamos High. Enrollment is up 12% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Canyoncito Montessori School (private) is 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 Los Alamos’s grade

A+ Test scoresA+ Graduation

A+: better than 96% of New Mexico school districts, #1 of 73 New Mexico towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the New Mexico average; graduation is the stronger of the two.

New Mexico school districts we grade (139)Better than 96%
Lower resultsHigher results
New Mexico towns with similar household incomes (34)Better than 91%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,889 test results and a graduating class of 331 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 96% of Los Alamos’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,889 in math, 1,889 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–63 schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
7–8Los Alamos MiddleLos Alamos Public SchoolsNo scores
9–12Los Alamos HighLos Alamos Public SchoolsA

Los Alamos’s public schools are run by Los Alamos Public 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.

Los Alamos Public SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 7 schools · 3,667 students, up 12% since 2020–21 · 12.6 per teacher (NM 12.9)
$16,540NM $17,681 · FY2024
A+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading67%
State average 33.8% · 1889 students tested
Math60%
State average 24.5% · 1889 students tested

Los Alamos vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Los AlamosA+Los Alamos

Every school in Los Alamos

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 Los Alamosby address
Mountain Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–6
435 students12:1Rate it →
Barranca Mesa Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–6
429 students11:1Rate it →
Aspen Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–6
428 students12:1Rate it →
Los Alamos Middle
Middle · Grades 7–8
543 students11:1Rate it →
Los Alamos High
High · Grades 9–12
A
1,181 students15:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Canyoncito Montessori School
Elementary · Grades PK–6
Private · Nonsectarian
33 students8:1Rate it →

Questions about Los Alamos’s schools

Are Los Alamos’s schools good?

By New Mexico’s own tests, yes: the public schools Los Alamos children attend outscore 96% of New Mexico’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade, #1 of 73 New Mexico towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 91%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Los Alamos in?

Los Alamos Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,667 students in 7 schools (2024–25).

Where do Los Alamos kids go to high school?

Los Alamos High, with 1,181 students; its own test results earn an A.

What is Los Alamos’s graduation rate?

96% of the class of 2023 in Los Alamos Public Schools graduated in four years, against 76% across New Mexico.

How much does Los Alamos spend per student?

$16,540 in Los Alamos Public Schools (FY2024), against $17,681 across New Mexico. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Los Alamos?

Yes: Canyoncito Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 33 students).

Parents talk

What Los Alamos families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Los Alamos → 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.