HERNANDEZ ELEMENTARY

HERNANDEZ ELEMENTARY is a micro-enrollment elementary-level community in ESPANOLA, New Mexico, operated by ESPANOLA. The school serves 85 students in grades K through 6. Enrollment runs roughly 70% leaner than the state mean of about 287.

HERNANDEZ ELEMENTARY is one of 12 schools operated by ESPANOLA, a district that enrolls 1,876 students overall.

On demographics, HERNANDEZ ELEMENTARY shows that the student body is overwhelmingly Hispanic (96%). Other groups include 2% Native American. The wider county runs roughly 67% Hispanic, putting the school's mix noticeably more Hispanic than the area baseline.

On the resource side, The school currently runs with 9 full-time-equivalent teachers, for a student-teacher ratio near 9.3:1. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 12.9:1, putting HERNANDEZ ELEMENTARY tighter than the state norm the norm. Around 98% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, a commonly cited indicator of low-income enrollment.

In the surrounding community, ACS estimates for Rio Arriba County put the typical household earns roughly $57,155 per year, 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate sits near 15%. In all, Rio Arriba County runs 30 public schools (combined enrollment of about 3,127 students), of which HERNANDEZ ELEMENTARY is one.

Nearest neighbor: SAN JUAN ELEMENTARY, around 2.5 miles off. Within five miles, there are 6 other public schools.

The school occupies a small-town site.

Trend over the last 7 years. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at HERNANDEZ ELEMENTARY has ticked down 3%, going from 88 students in 2018 to 85 in 2025. Over the same period, the White share contracted from 5% to 0%.

In the discussion threads here, members of the HERNANDEZ ELEMENTARY community share and discuss classroom updates, athletics, and weather closures. The community welcomes input from current and former families.