- ALAMEDA ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 331 students
- VISTA MIDDLE — Grades 6–8 · 574 students
- CENTRAL ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 182 students
- CONLEE ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 417 students
- DONA ANA ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 372 students
- FAIRACRES ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 405 students
- HERMOSA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 408 students
- JORNADA ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 429 students
- LAS CRUCES HIGH — Grades 9–12 · 1703 students
- LOMA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 450 students
- LYNN MIDDLE — Grades 6–8 · 507 students
- MAC ARTHUR ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 335 students
- MAYFIELD HIGH — Grades 9–12 · 1327 students
- MESILLA ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 324 students
- MESILLA PARK ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 311 students
- UNIVERSITY HILLS ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 363 students
- VALLEY VIEW ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 343 students
- BOOKER T. WASHINGTON — Grades PK–5 · 361 students
- WHITE SANDS ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–8 · 270 students
- ZIA MIDDLE — Grades 6–8 · 616 students
- SIERRA MIDDLE — Grades 6–8 · 698 students
- DESERT HILLS ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 502 students
- PICACHO MIDDLE — Grades 6–8 · 698 students
- EAST PICACHO ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 460 students
- HILLRISE ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 421 students
- HIGHLAND ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 704 students
- ORGAN MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL — Grades 9–12 · 2128 students
- SUNRISE ELEMENTARY — Grades 3–5 · 363 students
- CAMINO REAL MIDDLE — Grades 6–8 · 933 students
- CESAR CHAVEZ ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–2 · 492 students
- EDWARD ORTIZ MIDDLE — Grades 6–8 · 416 students
- MILAGRO MIDDLE — Grades 7–8 · 329 students
- SANTA FE HIGH — Grades 9–12 · 1,491 students
- CAPITAL HIGH — Grades 9–12 · 1,388 students
- EARLY COLLEGE OPPORTUNITIES — Grades 9–12 · 137 students
- EL CAMINO REAL ACADEMY COMMUNITY — Grades PK–8 · 704 students
- NINA OTERO COMMUNITY SCHOOL — Grades PK–8 · 629 students
- PINON ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–6 · 513 students
- EL DORADO COMMUNITY SCHOOL — Grades PK–8 · 432 students
- ACADEMY FOR TECHNOLOGY & CLASSICS — Grades 7–12 · 398 students
- AMY BIEHL COMMUNITY SCHOOL AT RANCHO VIEJO — Grades PK–6 · 354 students
- KEARNY ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–6 · 338 students
- GONZALES ELEMENTARY — Grades K–8 · 328 students
- CARLOS GILBERT ELEMENTARY — Grades K–6 · 317 students
- WOOD-GORMLEY ELEMENTARY — Grades K–6 · 298 students
- MANDELA INTERNATIONAL MAGNET (MIMS) — Grades 7–12 · 290 students
- ASPEN COMMUNITY SCHOOL — Grades PK–12 · 285 students
- SALAZAR ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–6 · 282 students
- ATALAYA ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–6 · 259 students
- E.J. MARTINEZ ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–6 · 182 students
- CHAPARRAL ELEMENTARY — Grades K–6 · 181 students
- FRANCIS X. NAVA ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–6 · 163 students
- ACEQUIA MADRE ELEMENTARY — Grades K–6 · 154 students
- DESERT SAGE ACADEMY — Grades K–12 · 69 students
- TESUQUE ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–6 · 61 students
| Metric | Las Cruces Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 23,631 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 40 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $10,942/yr | $13,700/yr | ↓ 27% below avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 6/10 — Average | — | Near average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Cruces Public Schools (this district) | 6/10 | 53rd | 23,631 |
| Rio Rancho Public Schools | 9/10 | 88th | 18,000 |
| Albuquerque Public Schools | 7/10 | 66th | 73,000 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 88 rated districts in NM → 53rd percentile → 6/10.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts, 2021–22 school year. Full methodology →
About Las Cruces Public Schools
Las Cruces Public Schools serves zip code 88003, covering Las Cruces, New Mexico with grades K–12. Whether you’re researching a move, evaluating a home purchase, or preparing to enroll a child, the sections below give you a complete picture of this district’s resources, size, and what its rating means for your family.
Funding and Resources
Las Cruces Public Schools spent $10,942 per student in the 2019–20 school year (U.S. Dept. of Education CCD finance data), 9% below New Mexico’s statewide $12,000 estimate. Of the district’s 2019 graduating cohort of 1,866 students, an estimated 86% earned a diploma within four years (EDFacts adjusted cohort graduation rate).
District Scale and Program Breadth
Las Cruces Public Schools is a very large district with 40 schools serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 23,631 students in total. Very large districts are complex systems with significant variation in school quality across attendance zones. They typically offer extensive programs — magnet schools, specialized high schools, dual-language tracks, advanced coursework — but navigating these options requires active engagement with the district.
Understanding the 6/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Las Cruces Public Schools 6 out of 10 — average among New Mexico public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2021–22 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because New Mexico is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Las Cruces Public Schools falls near the middle of New Mexico on state assessment results, with reading and math proficiency close to the state median. Average-rated districts provide foundational public education, and many families find they deliver solid day-to-day learning — particularly when parents stay engaged. If you're considering this area, look beyond the overall rating: visit schools, talk to current parents, and research the specific school your child would attend. Average districts often have individual schools that significantly outperform the district mean.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 88003
Children in zip code 88003 are assigned to Las Cruces Public Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 88003, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Las Cruces Public Schools at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — New Mexico districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Las Cruces
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Las Cruces Public Schools serves zip code 88003, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 88003. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In New Mexico, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Las Cruces Public Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 88003.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Las Cruces Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 88003 data.