Best public high schools in New Mexico
As filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron said during a '96 commencement address at Wellesley College, "Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead." If that's the case, high school may be one of the greatest dress rehearsals of all.
It's a place where students explore their interests, dive into extracurricular activities, finally get the freedom to choose their own classes, and prepare for college or the workplace. For many of these students and their families, public education is key: 49.4 million students enrolled in public pre-K-12 schools in fall 2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Of those, about a third were in high school, enrolled across about 23,500 public secondary schools nationwide.
For many anxious parents, getting their kids into the best of these public high schools is of the utmost importance. Some families even move homes to get into better school districts. However, among all of these thousands of schools, a few stand out for their academic excellence, incredible track records, and the future success of their young students.
Stacker compiled a list of the 30 best public high schools in New Mexico using 2023 rankings from Niche. Niche uses seven weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics, but other factors include culture and diversity; sports; clubs and activities; resources; and surveys of parents, teachers, and students. School districts are provided when available; otherwise, the city is listed instead.
#30. Santa Fe High School
- Enrollment: 1,594 (18:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#29. New Mexico School for the Arts
- Enrollment: 314 (17:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#28. Centennial High School
- Enrollment: 1,642 (17:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#27. Rio Rancho High School
- Enrollment: 2,554 (17:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#26. Early College Academy
- Enrollment: 201 (201:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#25. Volcano Vista High School
- Enrollment: 2,251 (19:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#24. Cleveland High School
- Enrollment: 2,561 (19:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#23. Artesia High School
- Enrollment: 749 (15:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#22. Mission Achievement & Success Charter School
- Enrollment: 1,162 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#21. The Ask Academy
- Enrollment: 564 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#20. Texico High School
- Enrollment: 166 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-
#19. Public Academy for Performing Arts
- Enrollment: 434 (15:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#18. Albuquerque School of Excellence
- Enrollment: 855 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#17. Albuquerque High School
- Enrollment: 1,902 (18:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#16. Eldorado High School
- Enrollment: 1,661 (16:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#15. Dora High School
- Enrollment: 96 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#14. The MASTERS Program
- Enrollment: 257 (18:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#13. Sandia High School
- Enrollment: 1,737 (16:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#12. College & Career High School
- Enrollment: 253 (18:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#11. Carlsbad Early College High School
- Enrollment: 202 (18:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#10. Albuquerque Institute of Math & Science
- Enrollment: 354 (19:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#9. Academy for Technology & the Classics
- Enrollment: 397 (15:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#8. Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School
- Enrollment: 803 (15:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#7. Mandela International Magnet School
- Enrollment: 277 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#6. Los Alamos High School
- Enrollment: 886 (17:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#5. San Juan College High School
- Enrollment: 278 (21:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A
#4. La Cueva High School
- Enrollment: 1,800 (19:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#3. East Mountain High School
- Enrollment: 363 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#2. Nex+Gen Academy
- Enrollment: 273 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
#1. Arrowhead Park Early College High School
- Enrollment: 327 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+
This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.