Top Rankings
Portales School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in New Mexico for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 3 public elementary schools serving 1,114 students in Portales School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public elementary schools in New Mexico.
Public Elementary Schools in Portales School District have an average math proficiency score of 33% (versus the New Mexico public elementary school average of 26%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 34% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 72% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New Mexico public elementary school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NM)
# Schools
6 Schools
667 Schools
# Students
2,570 Students
210,385 Students
# Teachers
30 Teachers
15,336 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
86:1
86:1
District Rank
Portales School District, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 143 school districts in New Mexico (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 80-84% has increased from 74% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#53 out of 144 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)

Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
29%
24%

Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
35%
34%

Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
37%
33%
Graduation Rate
(20-21)80-84%
66%

Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.48
0.57
# American Indian Students
21 Students
25,510 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
12%
# Asian Students
17 Students
2,751 Students
% Asian Students
1%
1%
# Hispanic Students
1,740 Students
128,903 Students
% Hispanic Students
68%
61%
# Black Students
57 Students
3,786 Students
% Black Students
2%
2%
# White Students
676 Students
43,881 Students
% White Students
26%
21%
# Hawaiian Students
1 Student
253 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
58 Students
5,301 Students
% of Two or more races Students
2%
3%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
137
7,253
# Students in K Grade:
174
19,133
# Students in 1st Grade:
181
21,570
# Students in 2nd Grade:
194
22,782
# Students in 3rd Grade:
189
22,089
# Students in 4th Grade:
168
22,668
# Students in 5th Grade:
212
23,142
# Students in 6th Grade:
170
23,235
# Students in 7th Grade:
156
18,046
# Students in 8th Grade:
191
18,235
# Students in 9th Grade:
226
3,636
# Students in 10th Grade:
191
3,245
# Students in 11th Grade:
186
2,726
# Students in 12th Grade:
195
2,625
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $13,842 in this school district is less than the state median of $14,757. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,630 is less than the state median of $14,122. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$36 MM
$4,694 MM

Spending
$35 MM
$4,492 MM

Revenue / Student
$13,842
$14,757

Spending / Student
$13,630
$14,122

Best Portales School District Public Elementary Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Lindsey-steiner Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1000 North Ave M
Portales, NM 88130
(575) 356-7060
Portales, NM 88130
(575) 356-7060
Grades: 5-6
| 382 students
Rank: #22.
Valencia Elementary School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1415 South Globe
Portales, NM 88130
(575) 356-7090
Portales, NM 88130
(575) 356-7090
Grades: 3-4
| 357 students
Rank: n/an/a
701 West 18th St
Portales, NM 88130
(575) 359-3675
Portales, NM 88130
(575) 359-3675
Grades: 1-2
| 375 students
Recent Articles

How Scaffolding Could Change the Way Your Child Learns
This article explores the concept of instructional scaffolding, a teaching method that enhances learning by breaking down complex tasks into manageable parts. It highlights how scaffolding supports students in developing critical thinking skills and becoming more independent learners. The article discusses the benefits of scaffolding, including improved engagement and reduced anxiety, and provides strategies for its implementation across various educational levels.

The Impact of Coronavirus on 九游体育s
This article discusses the widespread impact of COVID-19 on public schools, addressing issues such as school closures, remote learning challenges, effects on standardized testing, and concerns about student progress. It also provides tips for parents suddenly faced with homeschooling responsibilities.

February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and EvolutionWe explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.