Photo: Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK · CC BY 2.0Santa Fe’s public schools outscore 56% of New Mexico districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Santa Fe, 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.
Santa Fe’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 134 New Mexico towns with household incomes within a quarter of Santa Fe’s, its schools beat 71%, higher than their 56% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 33% of tested students were proficient in reading and 23% 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 $15,788 per student, against $17,681 across New Mexico (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
17 elementary schools, then seven middle and five high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 10% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
NM School for the Arts, Monte del Sol Charter, Tierra Encantada Charter School, Santa Fe Preparatory School (private), Rio Grande School (private), Santa Fe School for the Arts & Sciences (private), Desert Montessori School (private), May Center for Learning (private), Little Earth School (private), Fayette St. Academy (private), Santa Fe Girls' School (private) and The Tutorial School (private) are in town. New Mexico Connections Academy and Desert Sage Academy, online schools, are based here too; they aren’t counted as local schools. 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 Santa Fe’s grade
B: better than 56% of New Mexico school districts, #25 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 Santa Fe, with each school’s own grade.
Santa Fe’s public schools are run by Santa Fe 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.
Close to the state in reading
Santa Fe vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New Mexico towns that share Santa Fe’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe | B | Santa Fe |
Every school in Santa Fe
39 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 Santa Fe’s schools
Are Santa Fe’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of New Mexico: the public schools Santa Fe children attend outscore 56% of New Mexico’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #25 of 73 New Mexico towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 71%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Santa Fe in?
Santa Fe Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 11,182 students in 29 schools (2024–25).
Where do Santa Fe kids go to high school?
One of 5 high schools, depending on your address: Santa Fe High, Capital High, Mandela International Magnet (MIMS), Aspen Community School and Early College Opportunities.
What is Santa Fe’s graduation rate?
82% of the class of 2023 in Santa Fe Public Schools graduated in four years, against 76% across New Mexico.
How much does Santa Fe spend per student?
$15,788 in Santa Fe Public Schools (FY2024), against $17,681 across New Mexico. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Santa Fe?
Yes: Santa Fe Preparatory School (nonsectarian, grades 7–12, 343 students), Rio Grande School (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 174 students), Santa Fe School for the Arts & Sciences (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 139 students), Desert Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 74 students), May Center for Learning (special education, grades PK–8, 55 students), Little Earth School (nonsectarian, grades PK–4, 54 students), Fayette St. Academy (nonsectarian, grades , 38 students), Santa Fe Girls' School (nonsectarian · all-girls, grades 6–8, 32 students) and The Tutorial School (nonsectarian, grades , 6 students). Santa Fe also has 3 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Santa Fe families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Santa Fe → 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.