Summary
Carlsbad Early College High is a small public high school in Carlsbad, New Mexico serving grades 9–12 with about 200 students, part of Carlsbad Municipal Schools. It is a standout: in 2025–2026 it ranked 19th of 132 New Mexico high schools (86th percentile, 4 stars), and in several recent years it earned 5 stars, including 10th of 131 in 2024–2025. Its own district ranks 53rd of 87 statewide (39th percentile, 2 stars), so the school is performing well above its district context.
The comparison with nearby schools is striking. Carlsbad High, less than a mile away with 1,685 students, ranked 109th of 132 (17th percentile, 1 star), and Loving High, about 15 miles away with 225 students, ranked 103rd of 132 (22nd percentile, 1 star). On 2025–2026 11th-grade tests, Carlsbad Early College High reached 74.42% in English/language arts — roughly double the state rate (36.78%) and far above Carlsbad High (25.42%) and Loving High (22.22%). Science was 72.73% versus 34.02% statewide, and math was 27.91% versus 12.72% statewide, 5.37% at Carlsbad High, and under 20% at Loving High. Its ELA SAT proficiency has risen from 64.71% (2023–2024) to 74.42% (2025–2026).
Graduation rates have generally exceeded district and state figures, such as 89.6% in 2023–2024 versus 74.5% district and 78.0% state. For 2024–2025, the school-level rate is not listed, while the district was 86.3%, the state 80.6%, Carlsbad High 90.5%, and Loving High 89.9%. The school also ranks highly across multiple student groups, and its low-income students ranked 1st of 157 statewide in 2022–2023. Its 14.2 student-teacher ratio (improved from 16.8) is better than Carlsbad High's 19.6, and its free/reduced lunch share is 10%, compared with 21.96% and 95.11% at the nearby schools. Math remains the clear internal growth area, even though it still beats every nearby and state benchmark.
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