Photo: AllenS · Public domainRio Rancho’s public schools outscore 85% of New Mexico districts
On the state math tests, 37% of Rio Rancho’s students scored proficient, above the New Mexico average (24%). The grade covers the public school district serving Rio Rancho, 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 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.
Rio Rancho’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 103 New Mexico towns with household incomes within a quarter of Rio Rancho’s, its schools beat 95%, higher than their 85% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 45% and math 37% in spring 2022, against 34% and 24% statewide; 87% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 76%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,365 per student, against $17,681 across New Mexico (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
11 elementary schools, then four middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
The Ask Academy, Sandoval Academy of Bilingual Education, Explore Academy - Rio Rancho, St. Thomas Aquinas School (private), Gospel Light Baptist Academy (private) and Leap International Montessori School (private) are in town. Rio Rancho Cyber Academy, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. 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 Rio Rancho’s grade
A: better than 85% of New Mexico school districts, #3 of 73 New Mexico towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the New Mexico average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Rio Rancho, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Rio Rancho
Sandia Vista Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 713 students · 20:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Rio Rancho · depends on your address
Cleveland High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,596 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Rio Rancho High
Grades 9–12 · 2,568 students · 20:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Rio Rancho · depends on your address
Cleveland High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,596 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Rio Rancho High
Grades 9–12 · 2,568 students · 20:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Rio Rancho · depends on your address
Cleveland High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,596 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Rio Rancho High
Grades 9–12 · 2,568 students · 20:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Rio Rancho · depends on your address
Cleveland High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,596 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Rio Rancho High
Grades 9–12 · 2,568 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Rio Rancho’s public schools are run by Rio Rancho Public Schools. Parts of Rio Rancho (15% and 7% of its land) are served by Albuquerque and Jemez Valley instead. 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.
Well above the state in reading
Rio Rancho vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New Mexico towns that share Rio Rancho’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Rancho | A | Rio Rancho |
| Corrales | C+ | Albuquerque |
| Albuquerque | C+ | Albuquerque |
| Bernalillo | C− | Bernalillo |
Every school in Rio Rancho
26 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 Rio Rancho’s schools
Are Rio Rancho’s schools good?
By New Mexico’s own tests, yes: the public schools Rio Rancho children attend outscore 85% of New Mexico’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #3 of 73 New Mexico towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 95%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Rio Rancho in?
Rio Rancho Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 16,461 students in 20 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Rio Rancho are served by Albuquerque and Jemez Valley.
Where do Rio Rancho kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Cleveland High School and Rio Rancho High.
What is Rio Rancho’s graduation rate?
87% of the class of 2023 in Rio Rancho Public Schools graduated in four years, against 76% across New Mexico.
How much does Rio Rancho spend per student?
$15,365 in Rio Rancho Public Schools (FY2024), against $17,681 across New Mexico. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Rio Rancho?
Yes: St. Thomas Aquinas School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 309 students), Gospel Light Baptist Academy (religious, grades K–12, 221 students) and Leap International Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–4, 33 students). Rio Rancho also has 3 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Rio Rancho families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Rio Rancho → 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.