DES MOINES ELEMENTARY

DES MOINES ELEMENTARY, an one-room-style elementary-level community in DES MOINES, New Mexico, overseen by DES MOINES, educates 82 students, covering grades pre-K through 6. By comparison, New Mexico's public schools average about 287 students each, so DES MOINES ELEMENTARY sits 71% below that benchmark.

Within DES MOINES, which oversees 2 schools and 132 students, DES MOINES ELEMENTARY is one campus in the system.

For racial and ethnic makeup, DES MOINES ELEMENTARY records that the largest single group is White, at 62% of enrollment. Other groups include 34% Hispanic, 4% Black. Compared to Union County overall, the school's racial mix sits in roughly the same range.

In terms of school funding signals, On paper, DES MOINES ELEMENTARY has 9 full-time-equivalent teachers, translating to a class-load average of around 8.7:1. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 12.9:1, putting DES MOINES ELEMENTARY tighter than the state norm the norm. About 46% of enrolled students meet the income threshold for free or reduced-price lunch, a number frequently used as a low-income enrollment indicator. That share is south of Union County's rate of about 85%.

With demographic context factored in, DES MOINES ELEMENTARY sits in the top 10% of New Mexico schools after the BeatsExpectations adjustment. Predicted proficiency for the school's FRL share is roughly 46.3%; actual is 80.4%, +34.1 points clear of the demographic baseline.

In the surrounding community, census data for Union County shows median household income runs about $46,694, roughly 18% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the poverty rate sits near 11%. In all, Union County runs 7 public schools (combined enrollment of about 534 students), of which DES MOINES ELEMENTARY is one.

The closest other public school is DES MOINES HIGH, roughly 0.0 miles away.

Geographically, the school is in a low-density area.

Looking at the recent track record. Over the past 7-year window, the student count grew 91%: 43 students in 2018 compared to 82 in 2025. Asian enrollment moved from 5% to 0% across the same window. Class-load math has loosened: from 6.5:1 in 2018 to 8.7:1 in 2025.

On this page, the page collects discussion, questions, and updates around pickup logistics, teacher feedback, and after-school programs. The community welcomes input from current and former families.