- ALAMEDA ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 331 students
- VISTA MIDDLE — Grades 6–8 · 574 students
- CENTRAL ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 182 students
- CONLEE ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 417 students
- DONA ANA ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 372 students
- FAIRACRES ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 405 students
- HERMOSA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 408 students
- JORNADA ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 429 students
- LAS CRUCES HIGH — Grades 9–12 · 1703 students
- LOMA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 450 students
- LYNN MIDDLE — Grades 6–8 · 507 students
- MAC ARTHUR ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 335 students
- MAYFIELD HIGH — Grades 9–12 · 1327 students
- MESILLA ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 324 students
- MESILLA PARK ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 311 students
- UNIVERSITY HILLS ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 363 students
- VALLEY VIEW ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 343 students
- BOOKER T. WASHINGTON — Grades PK–5 · 361 students
- WHITE SANDS ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–8 · 270 students
- ZIA MIDDLE — Grades 6–8 · 616 students
- SIERRA MIDDLE — Grades 6–8 · 698 students
- DESERT HILLS ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 502 students
- PICACHO MIDDLE — Grades 6–8 · 698 students
- EAST PICACHO ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 460 students
- HILLRISE ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 421 students
- HIGHLAND ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 704 students
- ORGAN MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL — Grades 9–12 · 2128 students
- SUNRISE ELEMENTARY — Grades 3–5 · 363 students
- CAMINO REAL MIDDLE — Grades 6–8 · 933 students
- CESAR CHAVEZ ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–2 · 492 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 | Las Cruces 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 | Not rated | — | Near average |
About Las Cruces Public Schools
Zip code 88005 in Las Cruces, New Mexico is served by Las Cruces Public Schools for public school enrollment. The district covers grades K–12. This page provides a data-driven overview of Las Cruces Public Schools’s funding levels, size, rating, and what families should know before enrolling or making a housing decision in this area.
Funding and Resources
Las Cruces Public Schools reports per-pupil expenditure of approximately $12,000 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
With 40 schools, Las Cruces Public Schools operates as a very large district serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 23,631 students in total. Very large districts are complex systems with significant variation in school quality across attendance zones. They typically offer extensive programs — magnet schools, specialized high schools, dual-language tracks, advanced coursework — but navigating these options requires active engagement with the district.
Why This District Is Not Yet Rated
Las Cruces Public Schools does not currently have a SchoolDistrictFinder rating. Our ratings are based on state assessment proficiency data (reading and math) published in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection, and this district does not yet have sufficient reported proficiency data to calculate a reliable score. This is common for very small districts, special-purpose or charter agencies, and newly reorganized districts.
An unrated status is not a negative signal — it simply means we don’t have enough assessment data to place Las Cruces Public Schools on the 1–10 scale yet. Families researching this area should contact the district directly for school performance information, request the most recent state report card, and visit schools in person before making a housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 88005 data.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 88005
Children in zip code 88005 are assigned to Las Cruces 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 88005, 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 Las Cruces Public Schools at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of residency (lease or deed plus a utility bill), your child’s birth certificate, current immunization records, and prior school records. 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 Las Cruces
School district quality is one of the most consistent factors in residential home pricing. Because Las Cruces Public Schools serves zip code 88005, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 88005. 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 Las Cruces 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 88005.
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 Las Cruces Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 88005 data.