Photo: Matthew.kowal · CC BY-SA 4.0South Valley’s public schools score below 60% of New Mexico districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving South Valley, 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 92% 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.
South Valley’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 141 New Mexico towns with household incomes within a quarter of South Valley’s, its schools beat 53%, higher than their 40% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on tests
Reading proficiency is 36% and math 25% in spring 2022, against 34% and 24% statewide; 69% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 76%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $17,449 per student, against $17,681 across New Mexico (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Eight elementary schools, then three middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 10% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
South Valley Academy, El Camino Real Academy and New America School 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 South Valley’s grade
C+: better than 40% of New Mexico school districts, #43 of 73 New Mexico towns. Test scores are above the New Mexico average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve South Valley, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in South Valley · depends on your address
Ernie Pyle Middle
Grades 6–8 · 409 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Albuquerque
Harrison Middle
Grades 6–8 · 265 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Albuquerque
Polk Middle
Grades 6–8 · 222 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Albuquerque
8th grade in South Valley · depends on your address
Ernie Pyle Middle
Grades 6–8 · 409 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Albuquerque
Harrison Middle
Grades 6–8 · 265 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Albuquerque
Polk Middle
Grades 6–8 · 222 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Albuquerque
9th grade in South Valley
Rio Grande High
Grades 9–12 · 1,475 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Albuquerque
10th grade in South Valley
Rio Grande High
Grades 9–12 · 1,475 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Albuquerque
11th grade in South Valley
Rio Grande High
Grades 9–12 · 1,475 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Albuquerque
12th grade in South Valley
Rio Grande High
Grades 9–12 · 1,475 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Albuquerque
South Valley’s public schools are run by Albuquerque Public Schools, which also serves Albuquerque, Corrales, Edgewood and Los Ranchos de Albuquerque and others. 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.
Above the state in reading
South Valley vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New Mexico towns that share South Valley’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| South Valley | C+ | Albuquerque |
| Albuquerque | C+ | Albuquerque |
Every school in South Valley
15 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 South Valley’s schools
Are South Valley’s schools good?
On New Mexico’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools South Valley children attend score below 60% of New Mexico’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #43 of 73 New Mexico towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 53%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is South Valley in?
Albuquerque Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 73,992 students in 170 schools (2024–25).
Where do South Valley kids go to high school?
Rio Grande High in Albuquerque, with 1,475 students; its own test results earn a D−.
What is South Valley’s graduation rate?
69% of the class of 2023 in Albuquerque Public Schools graduated in four years, against 76% across New Mexico.
How much does South Valley spend per student?
$17,449 in Albuquerque Public Schools (FY2024), against $17,681 across New Mexico. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What South Valley families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near South Valley → 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.