Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Capitan Elementary

Q: Is Capitan Elementary a good school?

Capitan Elementary ranks 69 th of 346 New Mexico elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

69^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 346 New Mexico Elementary Schools

Better than 80% of New Mexico elementary schools

Summary

Capitan Elementary in Capitan, NM, serves 207 students in grades PK–5 at 150 South Forest Ave. In 2025–26 it ranks 69 of 346 New Mexico elementary schools (80th percentile, 4 stars), while Capitan Municipal Schools ranks 36 of 87. The school has earned 4 stars in 9 of the last 10 ranked years. Proficiency is 60.44% ELA and 43.96% math, versus state rates of 43.34% and 25.54%. Math is the clearest separator: +18.4 points over state and about 10 points higher than both Carrizozo Elementary (34.15%) and White Mountain Elementary (34.94%). Carrizozo (18.5 mi) has higher ELA (68.29%) but only 72 students. White Mountain Elementary (13.6 mi, 374 students) is rated 2 stars / 44th percentile, and Sierra Vista Primary (514 students, PK–2) has 49.48% ELA.

Fourth grade is the engine: 75% ELA and 54.17% math, far above state. Fifth grade is the soft spot: 48.57% ELA and 34.29% math, only +0.4 points over state in math; 5th-grade science is 37.14% versus state 31.97%. All-grades math climbed from 27% (2022–23) to 43.96% (2025–26) while state moved 24% to 25.54%; ELA rose from 55% to 60.44%. Low-income students perform exceptionally well, ranking 97th percentile (5 stars) in 2023–24 and 79th percentile (4 stars) in 2025–26. Female students rank 91st percentile (5 stars) and male students 66th percentile (3 stars), a widening gap.

Free/reduced-price lunch figures are inconsistent (58.42% in 2022–23, 93.56% in 2023–24, 33.33% in 2024–25) while neighbors report 100% or 96.3%, so that drop likely reflects a reporting change. Small cohorts amplify noise, so year-to-year swings are directional. Carrizozo's 2025–26 science results are suppressed and should be treated as unknown, and its 5th-grade ELA of at least 80% is a floor. Bottom line: Capitan Elementary is a consistently high-performing 4-star school above its district and regional peers, with math gains outpacing the state and the strongest relative results among low-income students. Opportunities are grade 5 math, 5th-grade science, and the widening gender gap.

207

Students ?

11.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$11,595

Per pupil spending ?

33.3%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in New Mexico receive free school meals.

150 South Forest Ave
Capitan, NM 88316

(575) 354-2239

District: Capitan Municipal Schools

Students who attend Capitan Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Capitan Middle
High:	Capitan High

Racial breakdown:

White:

59.4%

Hispanic:

36.2%

Two or more races:

2.9%

See top rated New Mexico elementary schools

Compare Capitan Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 68th percentile in 2015 → 80th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the New Mexico average (50% vs 36% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 20% of New Mexico elementary schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 12 percentile points since 2015

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school50%

District avg43%

New Mexico avg36%

69^th of 346

New Mexico public elementary schools ?

Top 20%▬ steady since 2016

See the entire ranking list of New Mexico Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

36^th of 87Capitan Municipal Schools among New Mexico districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2026	70.3	69 of 346	80.1%	★★★★☆
2025	67.8	79 of 345	77.1%	★★★★☆
2024	76.5	74 of 413	82.1%	★★★★☆
2023	72.5	107 of 435	75.4%	★★★★☆
2022	63.9	111 of 420	73.6%	★★★★☆
2019	76.8	70 of 396	82.3%	★★★★☆
2018	82.5	43 of 383	88.8%	★★★★☆
2017	77.2	58 of 374	84.5%	★★★★☆
2016	72.5	83 of 410	79.8%	★★★★☆
2015	59.1	135 of 421	67.9%	★★★☆☆
2014	76.8	71 of 442	83.9%	★★★★☆
2013	78.9	70 of 412	83.0%	★★★★☆
2012	65.5	124 of 398	68.8%	★★★☆☆
2011	71.7	92 of 402	77.1%	★★★★☆
2010	88.0	27 of 419	93.6%	★★★★★
2009	88.3	28 of 411	93.2%	★★★★★
2008	87.3	34 of 405	91.6%	★★★★★
2007	83.3	48 of 398	87.9%	★★★★☆
2006	87.9	29 of 390	92.6%	★★★★★
2005	81.6	50 of 389	87.1%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2026	87.5	22 of 252	91.3%	★★★★★
2024	86.4	37 of 398	90.7%	★★★★★
2023	65.5	121 of 390	69.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	65.9	88 of 395	77.7%	★★★★☆
2019	85.2	24 of 343	93.0%	★★★★★
2018	79.4	47 of 339	86.1%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2024	95.2	21 of 384	94.5%	★★★★★
2023	52.2	173 of 395	56.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	69.5	62 of 389	84.1%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2026	64.4	55 of 256	78.5%	★★★★☆
2024	98.2	9 of 356	97.5%	★★★★★
2023	74.7	101 of 426	76.3%	★★★★☆
2022	47.6	161 of 410	60.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	94.4	3 of 361	99.2%	★★★★★
2018	86.5	23 of 356	93.5%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2026	56.1	85 of 251	66.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	79.9	58 of 397	85.4%	★★★★☆
2023	71.1	102 of 414	75.4%	★★★★☆
2022	64.7	83 of 392	78.8%	★★★★☆
2019	71.5	65 of 337	80.7%	★★★★☆
2018	72.7	58 of 333	82.6%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2022	37.1	87 of 132	34.1%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Mexico percentile	Rating
2026	65.6	77 of 304	74.7%	★★★★☆
2025	64.5	83 of 304	72.7%	★★★★☆
2024	54.6	127 of 339	62.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	70.9	106 of 413	74.3%	★★★★☆
2022	36.6	222 of 325	31.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	51.3	98 of 199	50.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	64.1	55 of 187	70.6%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Hispanic (2024)95th percentile+12 vs school

Female (2026)91st percentile+11 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)79th percentile~ school

White (2026)75th percentile-5 vs school

Male (2026)66th percentile-14 vs school

Special Education (2022)34th percentile-39 vs school

By subject vs New Mexico (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts60%+16 vs state

Mathematics44%+16 vs state

Science37%+5 vs state

★

No ratings yet

Be the first to rate Capitan Elementary and help other families decide.

Rate Capitan Elementary

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

Reviews

No written reviews yet. If you know this school, be the first to share what stands out.

Schools Near Capitan Elementary

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				NM-ASR Science (2026)		NM-MSSA English Language Arts (2026)				NM-MSSA Mathematics (2026)				Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	NM-ASR Science 5th Grade	NM-ASR Science All Grades	NM-MSSA English Language Arts 3rd Grade	NM-MSSA English Language Arts 4th Grade	NM-MSSA English Language Arts 5th Grade	NM-MSSA English Language Arts All Grades	NM-MSSA Mathematics 3rd Grade	NM-MSSA Mathematics 4th Grade	NM-MSSA Mathematics 5th Grade	NM-MSSA Mathematics All Grades	Total
Capitan Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	150 South Forest Ave	Capitan	88316	Lincoln County	Capitan Municipal Schools	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(575) 354-2239	207	18	11.6	33.3%	123 (59.4%)	2 (1.0%)	75 (36.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (2.9%)	70.3	69^th of 346 public elementary schools	80.1%		67.8	79^th of 345 public elementary schools	77.1%	10	37.1		62.5	75.0	48.6	60.4	46.9	54.2	34.3	44.0	$11,595
White Mountain Elementary	Public	3-5	203 White Mountain Dr	Ruidoso	88345	Lincoln County	Ruidoso Municipal Schools	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(575) 258-6300	374	27	13.9	—	93 (24.9%)	1 (0.3%)	210 (56.1%)	5 (1.3%)	54 (14.4%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (2.9%)	39.7	195^th of 346 public elementary schools	43.6%		44.3	169^th of 345 public elementary schools	51.0%	26	28.8		31.6	47.3	38.4	39.0	18.4	44.6	42.4	35.2	$8,607
Sierra Vista Primary	Public	PK, KG-2	199 White Mountain Dr	Ruidoso	88345	Lincoln County	Ruidoso Municipal Schools	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(575) 258-6400	514	41	12.5	96.3%	129 (25.1%)	5 (1.0%)	282 (54.9%)	7 (1.4%)	75 (14.6%)	1 (0.2%)	15 (2.9%)								(n/a)											$9,641
Carrizozo Elementary	Public	K-5	800 D Ave	Carrizozo	88301	Lincoln County	Carrizozo Municipal Schools	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(575) 648-2348	72	6	11.6	—	33 (45.8%)	2 (2.8%)	35 (48.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (2.8%)								(n/a)				66.7	≥ 80%	68.3			66.7	34.2	$20,738

Frequently Asked Questions about Capitan Elementary

Rate Capitan Elementary!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

NMNew Mexico Elementary School Rankings

NMNew Mexico District Rankings

Schools in Capitan, NM

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Capitan Elementary!