For the 2026 school year, there are 26 public schools serving 4,608 students in Rio Arriba County, NM (there are 6 private schools, serving 492 private students). 91% of all K-12 students in Rio Arriba County, NM are educated in public schools (compared to the NM state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in Rio Arriba County, NM are Coronado High School, Dixon Elementary School and El Rito Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Rio Arriba County, NM public schools have an average math proficiency score of 11% (versus the New Mexico public school average of 25%), and reading proficiency score of 19% (versus the 34% statewide average). Schools in Rio Arriba County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of New Mexico public schools.
Minority enrollment is 97% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the New Mexico public school average of 81% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Rio Arriba County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Coronado High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1903 State Highway 96
Gallina, NM 87017
(575) 638-5419
Gallina, NM 87017
(575) 638-5419
Gr: 9-12 | 37 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #22.
Dixon Elementary School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
220 New Mexico Highway 75
Espanola, NM 87532
(505) 579-4325
Espanola, NM 87532
(505) 579-4325
Gr: K-6 | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #33.
El Rito Elementary School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
10 Elementary Rd
El Rito, NM 87530
(575) 581-4273
El Rito, NM 87530
(575) 581-4273
Gr: PK-3 | 63 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #44.
Gallina Elementary School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1903 State Highway 96
Gallina, NM 87017
(575) 638-5419
Gallina, NM 87017
(575) 638-5419
Gr: PK-5 | 47 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #55.
Chimayo Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
State Rd 76 County Rd 93 Build
Espanola, NM 87532
(505) 351-4207
Espanola, NM 87532
(505) 351-4207
Gr: K-6 | 112 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #66.
Velarde Elementary School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
State Road 68 County Road 51 #
Espanola, NM 87532
(505) 852-4331
Espanola, NM 87532
(505) 852-4331
Gr: K-6 | 39 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
Rank: #77.
Coronado Middle School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1903 State Highway 96
Gallina, NM 87017
(575) 638-5419
Gallina, NM 87017
(575) 638-5419
Gr: 6-8 | 25 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Alcalde Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
State Rd 68 County Rd 138a
Espanola, NM 87532
(505) 852-4253
Espanola, NM 87532
(505) 852-4253
Gr: PK-6 | 151 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Tierra Amarilla Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
Bulding 170 State Rd 531
Tierra Amarilla, NM 87575
(575) 588-7285
Tierra Amarilla, NM 87575
(575) 588-7285
Gr: PK-6 | 76 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1010.
Eutimio Salazar Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1000 Zuni Ln
Espanola, NM 87532
(505) 753-2391
Espanola, NM 87532
(505) 753-2391
Gr: PK-6 | 339 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1111.
Abiquiu Elementary School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
Hwy 84/285 213412
Abiquiu, NM 87510
(505) 685-4457
Abiquiu, NM 87510
(505) 685-4457
Gr: K-6 | 68 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1212.
Hernandez Elementary School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
State Road 84/285 #1934b
Espanola, NM 87532
(505) 753-4008
Espanola, NM 87532
(505) 753-4008
Gr: K-6 | 85 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
Rank: #1313.
San Juan Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
411 State Rd 74
Espanola, NM 87532
(505) 852-4225
Espanola, NM 87532
(505) 852-4225
Gr: K-6 | 141 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1414.
Dulce High School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
113 Hawk Dr
Dulce, NM 87528
(575) 759-3353
Dulce, NM 87528
(575) 759-3353
Gr: 9-12 | 160 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1515.
Mccurdy Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
515 Calle Arbolera
Espanola, NM 87532
(505) 692-6090
Espanola, NM 87532
(505) 692-6090
Gr: K-12 | 557 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1616.
Dulce Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
Mundo Dr
Dulce, NM 87528
(575) 759-3353
Dulce, NM 87528
(575) 759-3353
Gr: PK-5 | 264 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
Rank: #17 - 1817. - 18.
Chama Elementary School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
182 North Pine Ave
Chama, NM 87520
(575) 588-7285
Chama, NM 87520
(575) 588-7285
Gr: PK-5 | 52 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #17 - 1817. - 18.
Escalante Middle/high School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Stateroute 531 1158
Tierra Amarilla, NM 87575
(575) 588-7285
Tierra Amarilla, NM 87575
(575) 588-7285
Gr: 7-12 | 134 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #19 - 2119. - 21.
Espanola Valley High School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1111 El Llano Rd
Espanola, NM 87532
(505) 753-7357
Espanola, NM 87532
(505) 753-7357
Gr: 9-12
Rank: #19 - 2119. - 21.
James Rodriguez Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
420 North Coronado Ave
Espanola, NM 87532
(505) 753-2256
Espanola, NM 87532
(505) 753-2256
Gr: 1-6 | 233 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #19 - 2119. - 21.
Tony Quintana Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
18670 Us 84/285
Espanola, NM 87532
(505) 753-3213
Espanola, NM 87532
(505) 753-3213
Gr: K-6 | 208 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2222.
Carlos F. Vigil Middle School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1260 Industrial Park Rd
Espanola, NM 87532
(505) 753-1348
Espanola, NM 87532
(505) 753-1348
Gr: 7-8 | 379 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2323.
Dulce Middle School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
113 Hawks Dr
Dulce, NM 87528
(575) 759-3225
Dulce, NM 87528
(575) 759-3225
Gr: 6-8 | 130 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
Rank: n/an/a
625 Kee Street
Espanola, NM 87532
(505) 753-4406
Espanola, NM 87532
(505) 753-4406
Gr: K-6 | 98 students Student-teacher ratio: 98:1
Rank: n/an/a
323 North Coronado Ave
Espanola, NM 87532
(505) 753-6819
Espanola, NM 87532
(505) 753-6819
Gr: PK-K | 71 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: n/an/a
307 Community School Rd
Ohkay Owingeh, NM 87566
(505) 852-2154
Ohkay Owingeh, NM 87566
(505) 852-2154
Gr: K-6 | 105 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Rio Arriba County, NM?
The top-ranked public schools in Rio Arriba County, NM include Coronado High School, Dixon Elementary School and El Rito Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Rio Arriba County?
27 public schools are located in Rio Arriba County.
What percentage of students in Rio Arriba County go to public school?
91% of all K-12 students in Rio Arriba County are educated in public schools (compared to the NM state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Rio Arriba County?
Rio Arriba County public schools minority enrollment is 97% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the New Mexico public schools average of 81% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Rio Arriba County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Rio Arriba County include: Tierra Amarilla Elementary School vs. Ohkay Owingeh Community School, Ohkay Owingeh Community School vs. Tierra Amarilla Elementary School, Hernandez Elementary School vs. Mccurdy Charter School
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