White Sands Elementary

White Sands Elementary is a small PK–8 school with 270 students in Las Cruces Public Schools, located at or near White Sands Missile Range — roughly 11–16 miles from the other Las Cruces schools it is compared with here, so those schools are regional rather than neighborhood peers. In 2025–26, White Sands Elementary ranked 28th of 346 New Mexico schools (92nd percentile, 5 stars), even though the district overall is mid-ranked at 49th of 87 (44th percentile, 2 stars). It also serves a high-poverty population, with 100% free/reduced lunch in 2024–25 and 2022–23.

Core subject proficiency is far above district and state levels. In 2025–26, all-grade language arts was 68.55% at White Sands versus 44.73% district and 43.34% state; math was 59.75% versus 24.50% and 25.54%; and science was 72.55% versus 35.77% and 33.40%. Middle-grade results are a major differentiator, since most nearby district schools only serve PK–5. Eighth grade language arts was at least 90%, 8th grade science 86.36% (compared with 36.82% district and 34.19% state), 7th grade ELA 80%, and 7th grade math 72%.

Among nearby schools, Desert Hills Elementary ranked slightly higher overall (19th, 95th percentile) and higher in language arts, but White Sands was stronger in math and science and has a much stronger long-term ranking record — 11th of 413 in 2023–24. Explore Academy Las Cruces, the other K–8 comparison, had far lower middle-grade results. White Sands also has a favorable 10.5:1 student/teacher ratio, and strong subgroup ranks (Hispanic students 97th percentile; low-SES students 93rd–99th). Note that some figures are bounded or suppressed, such as 8th grade ELA being “at least 90%,” and small-subgroup data can be volatile.