Best Rio Rancho Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 22 public schools serving 17,671 students in Rio Rancho, NM (there are 5 private schools, serving 656 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Rio Rancho, NM are educated in public schools (compared to the NM state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in Rio Rancho, NM are The Ask Academy, Mountain View Middle School and Sandia Vista Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Rio Rancho, NM public schools have an average math proficiency score of 36% (versus the New Mexico public school average of 25%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 34% statewide average). Schools in Rio Rancho have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of New Mexico public schools.
Minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New Mexico public school average of 81% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Rio Rancho, NM (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
The Ask Academy
Charter School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
4550 Sundt Rd Ne
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
(505) 891-0757
Gr: 6-12 | 558 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #22.
Mountain View Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4101 Montreal Loop Ne
Rio Rancho, NM 87144
(505) 867-0711
Gr: 6-8 | 931 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #33.
Sandia Vista Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
6800 Franklin Rd Ne
Rio Rancho, NM 87144
(505) 338-2526
Gr: PK-5 | 713 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #44.
Vista Grande Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
7001 Chayote Rd Ne
Rio Rancho, NM 87144
(505) 771-2366
Gr: K-5 | 786 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #55.
Joe Harris Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2100 10th Street Se
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
(505) 896-0706
Gr: K-5 | 574 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #66.
Rio Rancho Middle School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1600 Loma Colorado Dr Ne
Rio Rancho, NM 87144
(505) 891-5335
Gr: 6-8 | 1,024 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #77.
Ernest Stapleton Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3100 Stapleton Ave Ne
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
(505) 891-8473
Gr: K-5 | 798 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #88.
Martin King Jr Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1301 Nicklaus Dr Se
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
(505) 892-2575
Gr: K-5 | 569 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #99.
Lincoln Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2287 Lema Rd Se
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
(505) 892-1100
Gr: 6-8 | 805 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #1010.
Enchanted Hills Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
5400 Obregon Rd Ne
Rio Rancho, NM 87144
(505) 891-8526
Gr: K-5 | 673 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #1111.
Cleveland High School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4800 Cleveland Heights Rd Ne
Rio Rancho, NM 87144
(505) 938-0300
Gr: 9-12 | 2,596 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #1212.
Eagle Ridge Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
800 Fruta Rd
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
(505) 892-6630
Gr: 6-8 | 732 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #1313.
Rio Rancho Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4601 Pepe Ortiz Rd Se
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
(505) 892-0220
Gr: K-5 | 486 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #1414.
Cielo Azul Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3804 Shiloh Rd Ne
Rio Rancho, NM 87144
(505) 338-2320
Gr: K-5 | 640 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #1515.
Rio Rancho High School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
301 Loma Colorado Dr Ne
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
(505) 896-5600
Gr: 9-12 | 2,568 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #1616.
Maggie Cordova Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1500 Veranda Rd Se
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
(505) 994-0229
Gr: K-5 | 608 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1717.
Colinas Del Norte Elementary School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1001 Night Sky Ave Ne
Rio Rancho, NM 87144
(505) 896-3378
Gr: K-5 | 540 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #1818.
Sandoval Academy Of Bilingual Education
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
4321 Fulcrum Way Ne Suite A
Rio Rancho, NM 87144
(505) 771-0555
Gr: K-8 | 222 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #1919.
Puesta Del Sol Elementary School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
450 Southern Blvd Se
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
(505) 994-3305
Gr: K-5 | 539 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #2020.
Independence High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
421 Quantum Rd Ne
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
(505) 338-4658
Gr: 9-12 | 156 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: n/an/a
Explore Academy - Rio Rancho
Charter School
6090 Zenith Court
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
(505) 306-5283
Gr: K-7 | 430 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: n/an/a
Shining Stars Preschool
Special Education School
2100 Lionel Street Ne
Rio Rancho, NM 87144
(505) 892-7735
Gr: PK | 590 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 72%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Rio Rancho, NM?
The top-ranked public schools in Rio Rancho, NM include The Ask Academy, Mountain View Middle School and Sandia Vista Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Rio Rancho?
23 public schools are located in Rio Rancho.
What percentage of students in Rio Rancho go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Rio Rancho are educated in public schools (compared to the NM state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Rio Rancho?
Rio Rancho public schools minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New Mexico public schools average of 81% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Rio Rancho are often viewed compared to one another?

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