Union County Schools & Education
Union County, New Mexico
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
43/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
81.9%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
81.9%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 79.0%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,571
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,957
School Score
43/100
Higher = better
State avg 33/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#10
of 33 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Union County
School Verdict
Union County has average school quality (score: 43/100) with a graduation rate of 81.9%, indicating room for improvement in student outcomes.
Funding Context
Union County spends $8,571 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Union County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 31% above the New Mexico average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 2.9 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 8% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Union County, New Mexico
Small-Scale Education in Northeast New Mexico
Union County operates seven public schools across two districts, serving a compact student population of just 516. The infrastructure includes two elementary, two middle, and three high schools focused on rural accessibility.
High Per-Pupil Investment and Strong Results
Union County spends $8,571 per pupil, exceeding the state average of $7,957 and contributing to a strong school score of 52.7. The graduation rate of 81.9% is also notably higher than the state's 79.0% average.
Clayton Municipal Schools Leads the County
Clayton Municipal Schools is the primary district, managing four schools and 395 students. Des Moines Municipal Schools serves the remaining 120 students in the county through two highly specialized rural campuses.
The Ultimate Small-School Experience
All seven schools in the county are rural, featuring an incredibly small average enrollment of only 74 students. Alvis Elementary is the largest with 157 students, while several schools have enrollments of 70 students or fewer, ensuring maximum teacher attention.
Small-Town Living with Strong School Support
Families seeking an environment where every student is known by name will find Union County unmatched. Look for homes in Clayton to enjoy the benefits of a high-investment, low-ratio public school system.
School Overview
Total Schools
7
in Union County
Total Enrollment
516
students
School Districts
2
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
2 School Districts in Union County
CLAYTON MUNICIPAL SCHOOLS
DES MOINES MUNICIPAL SCHOOLS
7 Public Schools in Union County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALVIS ELEMENTARY | CLAYTON MUNICIPAL SCHOOLS | PK–4 | Primary | 157 |
| CLAYTON HIGH | CLAYTON MUNICIPAL SCHOOLS | 9–12 | High | 131 |
| DES MOINES ELEMENTARY | DES MOINES MUNICIPAL SCHOOLS | PK–6 | Primary | 69 |
| CLAYTON JUNIOR HIGH | CLAYTON MUNICIPAL SCHOOLS | 7–8 | Middle | 56 |
| KISER ELEMENTARY | CLAYTON MUNICIPAL SCHOOLS | 5–6 | Middle | 51 |
| DES MOINES HIGH | DES MOINES MUNICIPAL SCHOOLS | 7–12 | High | 51 |
| NORTHEASTERN NM CORRECTIONAL FACILITY | NM CORRECTIONS | 8–12 | Alternative | 1 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,571
State avg $7,957
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Union County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Union County?
How much does Union County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Union County, New Mexico — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Union County, New Mexico?
Union County operates seven public schools across two districts, serving a compact student population of just 516. The infrastructure includes two elementary, two middle, and three high schools focused on rural accessibility.
How do schools in Union County perform academically?
Union County spends $8,571 per pupil, exceeding the state average of $7,957 and contributing to a strong school score of 52.7. The graduation rate of 81.9% is also notably higher than the state's 79.0% average.
What are the major school districts in Union County, New Mexico?
Clayton Municipal Schools is the primary district, managing four schools and 395 students. Des Moines Municipal Schools serves the remaining 120 students in the county through two highly specialized rural campuses.
What is the school experience like in Union County?
All seven schools in the county are rural, featuring an incredibly small average enrollment of only 74 students. Alvis Elementary is the largest with 157 students, while several schools have enrollments of 70 students or fewer, ensuring maximum teacher attention.
How can I find homes near good schools in Union County, New Mexico?
Families seeking an environment where every student is known by name will find Union County unmatched. Look for homes in Clayton to enjoy the benefits of a high-investment, low-ratio public school system.
Counties with Similar School Profile
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.