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San Albino Church MesillaPhoto: Original uploader was Camerafiend at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
B−
Schools in Mesilla · Las Cruces Public Schools

Mesilla’s public schools outscore 54% of New Mexico districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Mesilla, 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.

K–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
33%
▼ 1 pts vs NM 34%
2021–22
Math proficiency
22%
▼ 2 pts vs NM 24%
2021–22
Graduate on time
82%
▲ 6 pts vs NM 76%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$16.9K
▼ 4% vs NM $17.7K
FY2024
Students per teacher
11.4
NM 12.9 · smaller classes
Schools in town
5
8,360 students on the public path
In brief

Mesilla’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 125 New Mexico towns with household incomes within a quarter of Mesilla’s, its schools beat 65%, 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 ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and five high schools

Which school depends on the address at the later steps. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Mission Academy (private) and Las Cruces 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 Mesilla’s grade

B− Test scoresB Graduation

B−: better than 54% of New Mexico school districts. Graduation is above the New Mexico average; test scores are below it.

New Mexico school districts we grade (139)Better than 54%
Lower resultsHigher results
New Mexico towns with similar household incomes (125)Better than 65%
B−BA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 11,855 test results and a graduating class of 1,870 could put Mesilla anywhere from B− to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 93% of Mesilla’s students in the tested grades sat them (11,861 in math, 11,849 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–5Mesilla ElementaryLas Cruces Public SchoolsNo scores
6–8Zia MiddleLas Cruces Public SchoolsNo scores
9–125 high schoolsDepends on your addressC+ to A+

Mesilla’s public schools are run by Las Cruces Public Schools, which also serves Las Cruces. 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.

Las Cruces Public SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 39 schools · 22,670 students, down 3% since 2020–21 · 11.4 per teacher (NM 12.9)
$16,907NM $17,681 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2021–22

Close to the state in reading

Reading33%
State average 33.8% · 11849 students tested
Math22%
State average 24.5% · 11861 students tested

Mesilla vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
MesillaB−Las Cruces
Las CrucesB−Las Cruces

Every school in Mesilla

10 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 Mesillaby address
Mesilla Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Las Cruces
324 students11:1Rate it →
Zia Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Las Cruces
616 students10:1Rate it →
Also serving Mesillain other towns
Organ Mountain High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Las Cruces
B
2,128 studentsRate it →
Centennial High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Las Cruces
A−
1,713 students13:1Rate it →
Las Cruces High
High · Grades 9–12 · Las Cruces
B
1,703 studentsRate it →
Mayfield High
High · Grades 9–12 · Las Cruces
C+
1,327 studentsRate it →
Arrowhead Park Early College High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Las Cruces
A+
549 students9:1Rate it →
Other district programsby referral or application
Rio Grande Preparatory Institute
High · Grades 9–12
Alternative Education
46 students1:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Mission Academy
Grades K–12 · Las Cruces
Private · Nonsectarian
79 students10:1Rate it →
Las Cruces Academy
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Nonsectarian
43 students8:1Rate it →

Questions about Mesilla’s schools

Are Mesilla’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of New Mexico: the public schools Mesilla children attend outscore 54% of New Mexico’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 65%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Mesilla in?

Las Cruces Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 22,670 students in 39 schools (2024–25).

Where do Mesilla kids go to high school?

One of 5 high schools, depending on your address: Organ Mountain High School, Centennial High School, Las Cruces High, Mayfield High and Arrowhead Park Early College High School.

What is Mesilla’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 Mesilla 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 Mesilla?

Yes: Mission Academy (nonsectarian, grades K–12, 79 students) and Las Cruces Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 43 students).

Parents talk

What Mesilla families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Mesilla → 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.