- PENASCO ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 127 students
- PENASCO HIGH — Grades 9–12 · 75 students
- PENASCO MIDDLE — Grades 6–8 · 74 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 | Peñasco Independent 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 | 4/10 — Below Average | — | Near average |
About Peñasco Independent Schools
Zip code 87521 in Chamisal, New Mexico is served by Peñasco Independent Schools for public school enrollment. The district covers grades K–12. This page provides a data-driven overview of Peñasco Independent Schools’s funding levels, size, rating, and what families should know before enrolling or making a housing decision in this area.
Funding and Resources
According to NCES 2024–2025, Peñasco Independent 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 3 schools serving grades K–12, Peñasco Independent Schools qualifies as a small, community-focused district serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 284 students in total. Small districts often benefit from tighter community cohesion, more personalized teacher-student relationships, and stronger parental involvement. The trade-off is narrower program variety: fewer elective courses, specialized tracks, or extracurricular options than larger systems offer.
Understanding the 4/10 Rating
With a rating of 4/10 (below average), Peñasco Independent Schools ranks among New Mexico’s below average-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.
Peñasco Independent Schools carries a below-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates below typical New Mexico benchmarks on state assessments. A below-average score reflects test performance relative to other districts — not necessarily teaching quality or school culture, and some of these districts have schools with strong communities and dedicated staff. Families should research specific school quality, visit in person, and ask about available programs. Also ask about open enrollment and magnet options that may offer alternatives to the default attendance-zone assignment.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 87521
Children in zip code 87521 are assigned to Peñasco Independent 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 87521, 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 Peñasco Independent 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 Chamisal
For families considering a purchase in the Chamisal area, district assignment matters financially. Because Peñasco Independent Schools serves zip code 87521, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 87521. 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 Peñasco Independent 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 87521.
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 Peñasco Independent Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 87521 data.