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C
Schools in Thoreau · Gallup-McKinley County Schools

Thoreau’s public schools score below 71% of New Mexico districts on tests and graduation

In Thoreau, 22% of tested students read at a proficient level, below the New Mexico average (34%). The grade covers the public school district serving Thoreau, 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 83% 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
22%
▼ 12 pts vs NM 34%
2021–22
Math proficiency
18%
▼ 6 pts vs NM 24%
2021–22
Graduate on time
75%
▼ 2 pts vs NM 76%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$20.5K
▲ 16% vs NM $17.7K
FY2024
Students per teacher
5.8
NM 12.9 · smaller classes
Schools in town
4
1,110 students on the public path
In brief

Thoreau’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 22% of tested students were proficient in reading and 18% in math, against 34% and 24% statewide; 83% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

75% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 76% across New Mexico. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $20,469 per student, against $17,681 across New Mexico (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 6 the district’s path is Thoreau Middle, then Thoreau High. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

St. Bonaventure 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 Thoreau’s grade

C− Test scoresC+ Graduation

C: better than 29% of New Mexico school districts. Both inputs trail the New Mexico average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.

New Mexico school districts we grade (139)Better than 29%
Lower resultsHigher results
New Mexico towns with similar household incomes (118)Better than 29%
C−C+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 5,478 test results and a graduating class of 998 could put Thoreau anywhere from C− to C+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 83% of Thoreau’s students in the tested grades sat them (5,515 in math, 5,440 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–5Thoreau ElementaryGallup-McKinley County SchoolsD
6–8Thoreau MiddleGallup-McKinley County SchoolsNo scores
9–12Thoreau HighGallup-McKinley County SchoolsNo scores

Thoreau’s public schools are run by Gallup-McKinley County Schools, which also serves Gallup. 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.

Gallup-McKinley County SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 33 schools · 12,698 students, up 3% since 2020–21 · 5.8 per teacher (NM 12.9)
$20,469NM $17,681 · FY2024
C
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading22%
State average 33.8% · 5440 students tested
Math18%
State average 24.5% · 5515 students tested

Thoreau vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
ThoreauCGallup-McKinley County Schools

Every school in Thoreau

4 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 Thoreauby address
Thoreau Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
D
359 studentsRate it →
Thoreau Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
362 students8:1Rate it →
Thoreau High
High · Grades 9–12
389 studentsRate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
St. Bonaventure School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
113 students6:1Rate it →

Questions about Thoreau’s schools

Are Thoreau’s schools good?

On New Mexico’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Thoreau children attend score below 71% of New Mexico’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 29%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Thoreau in?

Gallup-McKinley County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 12,698 students in 33 schools (2024–25).

Where do Thoreau kids go to high school?

Thoreau High, with 389 students.

What is Thoreau’s graduation rate?

75% of the class of 2023 in Gallup-McKinley County Schools graduated in four years, against 76% across New Mexico.

How much does Thoreau spend per student?

$20,469 in Gallup-McKinley County Schools (FY2024), against $17,681 across New Mexico. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Thoreau?

Yes: St. Bonaventure School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 113 students).

Parents talk

What Thoreau families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Thoreau → 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.