Rio Arriba County Schools & Education
Rio Arriba County, New Mexico
School Score
24/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
67.6%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
67.6%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 79.0%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,350
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,957
School Score
24/100
Higher = better
State avg 33/100
State School Rank
#21
of 33 counties (1 = best)
Explore Rio Arriba County across the ByCounty Network
Education Overview
About Schools in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico
A Wide-Ranging Rural School System
Rio Arriba County operates 28 public schools serving 4,137 students across six school districts. The system is heavily weighted toward early education with 17 elementary schools, alongside six middle and five high schools. One charter school operates within the county, representing a small 3.6% slice of the educational landscape.
Challenges in Graduation and Funding
The county faces significant academic challenges with a graduation rate of 67.6%, well below the state average of 79.0%. Per-pupil expenditure is $7,350, which is roughly $600 less than the New Mexico average and nearly half the national benchmark. These figures contribute to a composite school score of 42.5.
Espanola Public Schools Leads Enrollment
Espanola Public Schools is the county's largest district, managing 13 schools and 2,954 students. Other notable districts include Chama Valley Independent and Jemez Mountain Public Schools, which serve smaller, more remote populations. Espanola Valley High is the largest school in the county with 869 students.
Predominantly Rural Learning Environments
With 22 of its 28 schools located in rural areas, the county offers a quintessential rural education experience. The average school size is 148 students, though large campuses like Carlos F. Vigil Middle (444 students) provide a more traditional town-based feel. Families can choose between very small rural elementary schools and larger hubs in the Espanola area.
Navigating Real Estate and Schools
When looking for a home in Rio Arriba County, proximity to the Espanola valley provides the most access to diverse school levels and the county's largest campuses. Buyers interested in more secluded areas will find very small, community-centered schools in the Chama Valley. Use these school size and performance metrics to help determine your ideal neighborhood.
School Overview
Total Schools
28
in Rio Arriba County
Total Enrollment
4,137
students
School Districts
6
districts
Charter Schools
1
4% of total
School Type Breakdown
6 School Districts in Rio Arriba County
ESPANOLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
DULCE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
CHAMA VALLEY INDEP. SCHOOLS
MESA VISTA CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS
JEMEZ MOUNTAIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
LA TIERRA MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF THE ARTS AND SCIENCES
28 Public Schools in Rio Arriba County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESPANOLA VALLEY HIGH | ESPANOLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 9–12 | High | 869 |
| CARLOS F. VIGIL MIDDLE | ESPANOLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 7–8 | Middle | 444 |
| EUTIMIO SALAZAR ELEMENTARY | ESPANOLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK–6 | Primary | 331 |
| DULCE ELEMENTARY | DULCE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS | PK–5 | Primary | 248 |
| JAMES RODRIGUEZ ELEMENTARY | ESPANOLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 1–6 | Primary | 248 |
| SAN JUAN ELEMENTARY | ESPANOLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | KG–6 | Primary | 208 |
| DULCE HIGH | DULCE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS | 9–12 | High | 154 |
| ALCALDE ELEMENTARY | ESPANOLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK–6 | Primary | 153 |
| ESCALANTE MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL | CHAMA VALLEY INDEP. SCHOOLS | 7–12 | High | 147 |
| CHIMAYO ELEMENTARY | ESPANOLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | KG–6 | Primary | 126 |
| DULCE MIDDLE | DULCE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS | 6–8 | Middle | 119 |
| TIERRA AMARILLA ELEMENTARY | CHAMA VALLEY INDEP. SCHOOLS | PK–6 | Primary | 101 |
| MESA VISTA HIGH | MESA VISTA CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS | 9–12 | High | 95 |
| ABIQUIU ELEMENTARY | ESPANOLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | KG–6 | Primary | 93 |
| LA TIERRA MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF THE ARTS AND SCIENCES | LA TIERRA MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF THE ARTS AND SCIENCES | PK–8 | Charter | 92 |
| HERNANDEZ ELEMENTARY | ESPANOLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | KG–6 | Primary | 90 |
| CHAMA ELEMENTARY | CHAMA VALLEY INDEP. SCHOOLS | PK–5 | Primary | 75 |
| LOS NINOS ELEMENTARY | ESPANOLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK–KG | Primary | 71 |
| LYBROOK ELEMENTARY | JEMEZ MOUNTAIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK–8 | Primary | 66 |
| VELARDE ELEMENTARY | ESPANOLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | KG–6 | Primary | 63 |
LA TIERRA MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF THE ARTS AND SCIENCES
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,350
State avg $7,957
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Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico?
Rio Arriba County operates 28 public schools serving 4,137 students across six school districts. The system is heavily weighted toward early education with 17 elementary schools, alongside six middle and five high schools. One charter school operates within the county, representing a small 3.6% slice of the educational landscape.
How do schools in Rio Arriba County perform academically?
The county faces significant academic challenges with a graduation rate of 67.6%, well below the state average of 79.0%. Per-pupil expenditure is $7,350, which is roughly $600 less than the New Mexico average and nearly half the national benchmark. These figures contribute to a composite school score of 42.5.
What are the major school districts in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico?
Espanola Public Schools is the county's largest district, managing 13 schools and 2,954 students. Other notable districts include Chama Valley Independent and Jemez Mountain Public Schools, which serve smaller, more remote populations. Espanola Valley High is the largest school in the county with 869 students.
What is the school experience like in Rio Arriba County?
With 22 of its 28 schools located in rural areas, the county offers a quintessential rural education experience. The average school size is 148 students, though large campuses like Carlos F. Vigil Middle (444 students) provide a more traditional town-based feel. Families can choose between very small rural elementary schools and larger hubs in the Espanola area.
How can I find homes near good schools in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico?
When looking for a home in Rio Arriba County, proximity to the Espanola valley provides the most access to diverse school levels and the county's largest campuses. Buyers interested in more secluded areas will find very small, community-centered schools in the Chama Valley. Use these school size and performance metrics to help determine your ideal neighborhood.
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Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.