Top Rankings
Des Moines School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in New Mexico for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 5%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 5%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 5%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 20%)
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there is 1 public high school serving 50 students in Des Moines School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public high schools in New Mexico.
Public High School in Des Moines School District have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the New Mexico public high school average of 21%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 35% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 26% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New Mexico public high school average of 81% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NM)
# Schools
2 Schools
264 Schools
# Students
132 Students
115,996 Students
# Teachers
16 Teachers
8,031 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
8:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Des Moines School District, which is ranked within the top 5% of all 140 school districts in New Mexico (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 50% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#5 out of 141 school districts
(Top 5%)
(Top 5%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
57%
24%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
60-69%
34%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
≥50%
33%
Graduation Rate
(20-21)≥50%
66%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.47
0.57
% American Indian
n/a
12%
% Asian
n/a
1%
% Hispanic
30%
62%
% Black
3%
2%
% White
67%
19%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
n/a
4%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $19,371 is higher than the state median of $15,100. The school district revenue/student has declined by 35% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $20,174 is higher than the state median of $14,450. The school district spending/student has declined by 28% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$3 MM
$4,694 MM
Spending
$3 MM
$4,492 MM
Revenue / Student
$19,371
$15,100
Spending / Student
$20,174
$14,450
Best Des Moines School District Public High Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Des Moines High School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
500 Des Moines Avenue
Des Moines, NM 88418
(575) 278-2611
Des Moines, NM 88418
(575) 278-2611
Gr: 7-12 | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Recent Articles
When “Free Public School” Still Isn’t Free
Discover the hidden costs of public school in 2026, from supplies and fees to transportation, technology, and extracurricular expenses.
What a District Budget Cut Means for Your Child's School Experience
Learn how district budget cuts can affect class sizes, programs, staffing, transportation, and your child's daily school experience in 2026.
School Closure Risk: What Parents Should Check Before Moving
Learn how parents can assess school closure risk before buying or renting in a district, using enrollment, funding, and boundary data.
