- A. MONTOYA ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 370 students
- JOHN ADAMS MIDDLE — Grades 6–8 · 420 students
- ADOBE ACRES ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 303 students
- ALAMEDA ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 212 students
- ALAMOSA ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 382 students
- ALBUQUERQUE HIGH — Grades 9–12 · 1568 students
- ALVARADO ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 258 students
- APACHE ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 341 students
- ARMIJO ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 260 students
- ARROYO DEL OSO ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 321 students
- ATRISCO ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 205 students
- BANDELIER ELEMENTARY — Grades K–5 · 387 students
- BARCELONA ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–6 · 202 students
- BEL-AIR ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 254 students
- BELLEHAVEN ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 216 students
- CARLOS REY ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 446 students
- CHAPARRAL ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 523 students
- CHELWOOD ELEMENTARY — Grades K–5 · 309 students
- CIBOLA HIGH — Grades 9–12 · 1517 students
- PETROGLYPH ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 498 students
- COCHITI ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 247 students
- COLLET PARK ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 362 students
- COMANCHE ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 325 students
- LEW WALLACE ELEMENTARY — Grades K–5 · 141 students
- DEL NORTE HIGH — Grades 9–12 · 1079 students
- DOLORES GONZALES ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 298 students
- MACARTHUR ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 241 students
- DURANES ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–6 · 34 students
- EAST SAN JOSE ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 317 students
- EISENHOWER MIDDLE — Grades 6–8 · 740 students
- EDWARD ORTIZ MIDDLE — Grades 6–8 · 416 students
- MILAGRO MIDDLE — Grades 7–8 · 329 students
- SANTA FE HIGH — Grades 9–12 · 1,491 students
- CAPITAL HIGH — Grades 9–12 · 1,388 students
- EARLY COLLEGE OPPORTUNITIES — Grades 9–12 · 137 students
- EL CAMINO REAL ACADEMY COMMUNITY — Grades PK–8 · 704 students
- NINA OTERO COMMUNITY SCHOOL — Grades PK–8 · 629 students
- PINON ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–6 · 513 students
- EL DORADO COMMUNITY SCHOOL — Grades PK–8 · 432 students
- ACADEMY FOR TECHNOLOGY & CLASSICS — Grades 7–12 · 398 students
- AMY BIEHL COMMUNITY SCHOOL AT RANCHO VIEJO — Grades PK–6 · 354 students
- KEARNY ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–6 · 338 students
- GONZALES ELEMENTARY — Grades K–8 · 328 students
- CARLOS GILBERT ELEMENTARY — Grades K–6 · 317 students
- WOOD-GORMLEY ELEMENTARY — Grades K–6 · 298 students
- MANDELA INTERNATIONAL MAGNET (MIMS) — Grades 7–12 · 290 students
- ASPEN COMMUNITY SCHOOL — Grades PK–12 · 285 students
- SALAZAR ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–6 · 282 students
- ATALAYA ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–6 · 259 students
- E.J. MARTINEZ ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–6 · 182 students
- CHAPARRAL ELEMENTARY — Grades K–6 · 181 students
- FRANCIS X. NAVA ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–6 · 163 students
- ACEQUIA MADRE ELEMENTARY — Grades K–6 · 154 students
- DESERT SAGE ACADEMY — Grades K–12 · 69 students
- TESUQUE ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–6 · 61 students
| Metric | Albuquerque Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 13,000 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 28 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $12,000/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | ↓ 27% below avg |
| District Type | Urban | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 10/10 — Excellent | — | Near average |
About Albuquerque Public Schools
Albuquerque Public Schools is the public school district assigned to zip code 87116 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Serving students from K–12, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 87116. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
According to NCES 2024–2025, Albuquerque Public Schools spends approximately $12,000 per student per year, placing it near the New Mexico state average of approximately $12,000 and below the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Below-average funding can mean larger class sizes, fewer elective offerings, and limited extracurricular programs. Families with specialized needs should verify specific program availability directly with the district. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
At 176 schools serving grades K–12, Albuquerque Public Schools qualifies as a major metropolitan district serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 79,805 students in total. Major metropolitan districts operate dozens to hundreds of schools across wide geographic areas. They often include magnet schools, gifted programs, dual-language academies, and career and technical education pathways not available in smaller systems. Within-district quality variation is significant: a school two miles from your address might be rated very differently from your assigned school.
Understanding the 10/10 Rating
With a rating of 10/10 (top-tier), Albuquerque Public Schools ranks among New Mexico’s top-tier-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection. We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because New Mexico is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Albuquerque Public Schools ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in New Mexico on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 87116 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 87116
Children in zip code 87116 are assigned to Albuquerque Public Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 87116, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Albuquerque Public Schools at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — New Mexico districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Albuquerque
For families considering a purchase in the Albuquerque area, district assignment matters financially. Because Albuquerque Public Schools serves zip code 87116, homes in and around zip code 87116 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In New Mexico, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Albuquerque Public Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 87116.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Albuquerque Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 87116 data.