For the 2026 school year, there are 79 public schools serving 37,792 students in Dona Ana County, NM (there are 10 private schools, serving 1,188 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Dona Ana County, NM are educated in public schools (compared to the NM state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in Dona Ana County, NM are White Sands Elementary School, Arrowhead Park Early College High School and Desert Hills Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Dona Ana County, NM public schools have an average math proficiency score of 23% (versus the New Mexico public school average of 25%), and reading proficiency score of 32% (versus the 34% statewide average). Schools in Dona Ana County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of New Mexico public schools.
Minority enrollment is 89% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the New Mexico public school average of 81% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Dona Ana County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
White Sands Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1 Viking St White Sands Missil
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 674-1241
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 674-1241
Gr: PK-8 | 270 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #22.
Arrowhead Park Early College High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3400 South Espina St
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9540
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9540
Gr: 9-12 | 549 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #33.
Desert Hills Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
280 North Roadrunner Pkwy
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9619
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9619
Gr: PK-5 | 502 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #44.
J Paul Taylor Academy
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
402 W. Court Ave Bldg 2
Las Cruces, NM 88005
(575) 652-4006
Las Cruces, NM 88005
(575) 652-4006
Gr: K-8 | 200 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #55.
Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
950 South Walnut St
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-6059
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-6059
Gr: 6-8 | 94 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #66.
Sonoma Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4201 Northrise Dr
Las Cruces, NM 88011
(575) 541-7320
Las Cruces, NM 88011
(575) 541-7320
Gr: PK-5 | 660 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #77.
Alta Vista Early College High School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5235 Highway 28
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6400
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6400
Gr: 9-12 | 180 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #88.
Anthony Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
609 Church St
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Gr: PK-6 | 163 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #99.
University Hills Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2005 South Locust St
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9649
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9649
Gr: PK-5 | 363 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #1010.
Monte Vista Elementary School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4675 Peachtree Hills
Las Cruces, NM 88012
(575) 527-9490
Las Cruces, NM 88012
(575) 527-9490
Gr: PK-5 | 706 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #1111.
Camino Real Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2961 Roadrunner Pkwy
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-6030
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-6030
Gr: 6-8 | 933 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #1212.
Tombaugh Elementary School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
226 Carver Rd
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9575
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9575
Gr: PK-5 | 565 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #1313.
La Union Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
875 Mercantile
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Gr: PK-6 | 340 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #1414.
Highland Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4201 Emerald St
Las Cruces, NM 88012
(575) 527-9636
Las Cruces, NM 88012
(575) 527-9636
Gr: PK-5 | 704 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #1515.
Gadsden Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1440 Hwy 478
Sunland Park, NM 88063
(575) 882-3050
Sunland Park, NM 88063
(575) 882-3050
Gr: PK-6 | 379 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1616.
Desert View Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1105 Valle Vista Dr
Sunland Park, NM 88063
(575) 882-6203
Sunland Park, NM 88063
(575) 882-6203
Gr: PK-6 | 524 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1717.
Santa Teresa Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
201 Commerciantes
Santa Teresa, NM 88008
(575) 882-6203
Santa Teresa, NM 88008
(575) 882-6203
Gr: PK-6 | 484 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1818.
Las Montanas Charter
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1405 S. Solano Ave
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 636-2100
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 636-2100
Gr: 9-12 | 201 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1919.
Hillrise Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1400 South Curnutt St
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9666
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9666
Gr: PK-5 | 421 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
Loma Linda Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1451 Donaldson Ave
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Gr: PK-6 | 398 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
Mesilla Park Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
955 West Union Ave
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9615
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9615
Gr: PK-5 | 311 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #2222.
Explore Academy Las Cruces
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
850 N Telshor Blvd
Las Cruces, NM 88011
(575) 888-4476
Las Cruces, NM 88011
(575) 888-4476
Gr: K-11 | 599 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #2323.
East Picacho Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4450 North Valley Dr
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9516
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9516
Gr: PK-5 | 460 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #2424.
Jornada Elementary School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3400 Elks Dr
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9536
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9536
Gr: PK-5 | 429 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #2525.
Desert Trail Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
290 East Lisa
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Gr: PK-6 | 479 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Conlee Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1701 Boston Dr
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9656
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9656
Gr: PK-5 | 417 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Dona Ana Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
5551 Camino De Flores
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9506
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9506
Gr: PK-5 | 372 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #2828.
Mesilla Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2363 Calle Del Sur
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9566
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9566
Gr: PK-5 | 324 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #2929.
Chaparral Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
300 Lisa Dr
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Anthony, NM 88021
(575) 882-6203
Gr: PK-6 | 437 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #3030.
Sierra Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1700 E Spruce Ave
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9640
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9640
Gr: 6-8 | 698 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #3131.
Santa Teresa Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4800 Mcnutt Rd
Santa Teresa, NM 88008
(575) 882-6203
Santa Teresa, NM 88008
(575) 882-6203
Gr: 7-8 | 528 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #3232.
Centennial High School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1950 S Sonoma Ranch Blvd
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9330
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9330
Gr: 9-12 | 1,713 student Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #3333.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
150 North Alameda Blvd
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9496
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9496
Gr: PK-5 | 182 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #3434.
Garfield Elementary School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 20-24% )
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
8820 Hwy 187
Garfield, NM 87936
(575) 267-8280
Garfield, NM 87936
(575) 267-8280
Gr: PK-2 | 96 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #3535.
Loma Heights Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1600 East Madrid
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9546
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-9546
Gr: PK-5 | 450 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Dona Ana County, NM?
The top-ranked public schools in Dona Ana County, NM include White Sands Elementary School, Arrowhead Park Early College High School and Desert Hills Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Dona Ana County?
80 public schools are located in Dona Ana County.
What percentage of students in Dona Ana County go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Dona Ana County are educated in public schools (compared to the NM state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Dona Ana County?
Dona Ana County public schools minority enrollment is 89% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the New Mexico public schools average of 81% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Dona Ana County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Dona Ana County include: North Valley Elementary School vs. Tombaugh Elementary School, Santa Teresa Elementary School vs. Riverside Elementary School, Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy vs. Mesa Middle School
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