Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 87937

ZIP code 87937 contains a single middle school — Hatch Valley Middle — serving grades 6–8 with 253 students at 901 East Herrera in Hatch, New Mexico, as part of Hatch Valley Public Schools. Because it is the only middle school in the area, parents have no in-ZIP alternative to compare against, so the most useful benchmarks are the school's own district and the state of New Mexico. The school community is largely low-income: 93.68% of students were eligible for free or reduced lunch in 2024–25, and the student-teacher ratio was 13.2. That ratio is reported without a state or district comparison, so it is best read as a staffing description rather than a quality judgment.

Hatch Valley Middle is clearly outperforming its district overall. The district is rated 1 star and 13th percentile, ranking 76 of 87 districts, while the school climbed from 2 stars and the 38th percentile in 2023–24 to 3 stars and the 50th percentile in 2025–26. In 2025–26 English language arts, the school's 45.7% proficiency on NM-MSSA was above both its district (42.48%) and the state (44.66%). Math is a mixed but improving story: all-grade math proficiency rose from 19.33% to 25.34% on NM-MSSA in one year, narrowing the gap to the state from roughly 7.5 points to about 2.5 points, though the school still trails the state on that measure.

Grade-level results show where the strengths and weaknesses sit. Eighth grade is the standout: 52.94% proficient in ELA versus 43.85% statewide, and 28.24% in math versus 20.5% statewide, with science improving from 27.5% to 31.33% while still about 3 points below the state's 34.33%. Sixth grade math is the clearest weak point, at 20.34% proficient against a state figure of 32.13%. Overall, families can expect a school on an upward trajectory — rising rank, solid ELA results, and fast math and science gains — with continued room to grow in math and science.