Rio Grande High

Summary:

Rio Grande High is a public high school in Albuquerque, New Mexico, serving 1,532 students in grades 9-12. The school is part of the Albuquerque School District, which is ranked 89 out of 119 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Rio Grande High consistently ranks in the bottom half of New Mexico high schools, with academic performance significantly below the state and district averages across various subjects and grade levels. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, only 20% of students were proficient or better in science, compared to 36% statewide and 35% in Albuquerque. The school's four-year graduation rate has ranged from 63% to 76.7% over the past few years, which is consistently lower than the state and district averages. The school's performance is particularly concerning for certain student subgroups, such as Hispanic, White, and Special Education students, as well as English Language Learners and Low Socioeconomic Status students.

While the nearby Atrisco Heritage Academy High School, West Mesa High, and Siembra Leadership High School also perform below the state and district averages, their performance is generally better than that of Rio Grande High. The high percentage of low-income students at Rio Grande High may be a significant factor contributing to the school's academic challenges, and targeted interventions and support are needed to address the root causes of the school's underperformance.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 2300 Arenal Rd SW
       Albuquerque, NM  87105


(505) 873-0220

District: Albuquerque

SchoolDigger Rank:
159th of 190 New Mexico High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $9,858 Help


Feeder schools for Rio Grande High:

Elementary:    Adobe Acres Elementary
    Armijo Elementary
    Atrisco Elementary
    Barcelona Elementary
    More...
Middle:    Ernie Pyle Middle
    Harrison Middle
    Polk Middle

Student/teacher ratio:  15.1 Help
Number of students:  1,532

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
93.9%
White:
3.5%
American Indian:
1.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  100% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Rio Grande High ranks worse than 83.7% of high schools in New Mexico. It also ranks 21st among 30 ranked high schools in the Albuquerque School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 19.06. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Rio Grande High who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (93.9%), White (3.5%), American Indian (1.3%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 100% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Rio Grande High is 15.1. 18 high schools in the Albuquerque School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
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Compare Rio Grande High employs 101.1 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Rio Grande High is $9,858, which is the 16th highest among 30 high schools in the Albuquerque School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Rio Grande High:

SchoolDigger ranks Rio Grande High 159th of 190 New Mexico public high schools. (See Rio Grande High in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Albuquerque:

SchoolDigger ranks Albuquerque 89th of 119 New Mexico school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Rio Grande High

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Rio Grande High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NM State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 14.23 113th 129 12.4%
2006 17.00 116th 134 13.4%
2007 20.16 124th 150 17.3%
2008 38.41 93rd 146 36.3%
2009 27.54 115th 151 23.8%
2010 34.31 108th 154 29.9%
2011 31.57 112th 157 28.7%
2012 30.80 116th 163 28.8%
2013 25.20 138th 177 22.0%
2014 38.22 130th 198 34.3%
2015 27.84 135th 193 30.1%
2016 28.28 131st 185 29.2%
2017 24.83 121st 158 23.4%
2018 23.96 137th 182 24.7%
2019 20.28 154th 181 14.9%
2022 21.37 124th 177 29.9%
2023 13.63 156th 170 8.2%
2024 19.06 159th 190 16.3%
See the entire list of New Mexico High School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Rio Grande High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NM State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 35.23 12th 20 40.0%
2019 39.42 17th 31 45.2%
2024 27.91 30th 41 26.8%
See the entire list of Best New Mexico High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Rio Grande High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NM State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 36.38 40th 62 35.5%
2024 15.46 29th 30 3.3%
See the entire list of Best New Mexico High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Rio Grande High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NM State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 30.85 107th 164 34.8%
2019 25.21 130th 161 19.3%
2022 27.15 92nd 154 40.3%
2023 15.27 140th 157 10.8%
2024 20.50 130th 154 15.6%
See the entire list of Best New Mexico High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Homeless students at Rio Grande High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NM State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 43.57 5th 9 44.4%
See the entire list of Best New Mexico High Schools for Homeless Students!

Rank History for Female students at Rio Grande High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NM State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 20.45 123rd 145 15.2%
2019 18.38 131st 144 9.0%
2022 19.39 132nd 157 15.9%
2023 12.62 132nd 143 7.7%
2024 17.89 135th 153 11.8%
See the entire list of Best New Mexico High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Rio Grande High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NM State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 35.14 31st 51 39.2%
See the entire list of Best New Mexico High Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Rio Grande High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NM State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 22.87 115th 143 19.6%
2019 21.69 130th 151 13.9%
2022 18.58 146th 159 8.2%
2023 12.06 143rd 146 2.1%
2024 16.54 139th 159 12.6%
See the entire list of Best New Mexico High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Rio Grande High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NM State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 24.40 102nd 133 23.3%
2019 22.83 119th 139 14.4%
2022 20.23 132nd 150 12.0%
2023 14.21 125th 132 5.3%
2024 20.43 121st 142 14.8%
See the entire list of Best New Mexico High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Rio Grande High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NM State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 15.67 104th 115 9.6%
2019 13.71 103rd 109 5.5%
2022 27.20 102nd 133 23.3%
2023 11.02 151st 157 3.8%
2024 16.54 135th 155 12.9%
See the entire list of Best New Mexico High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: New Mexico Public Education Department, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Rio Grande High Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 




Data source: New Mexico Public Education Department

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)
0%

0%

0%

0%

100%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Sunday, January 3, 2016

Open Quote They need another administrator to run this school. Current principal is a basket case. No tardy policy and is always fighting with staff and students. She needs to be removed from the school in order for it to become better. Maybe the New chief will look at this school and see why the school is getting an F 12/2015 maybe he/she can remove the principal from the school and respect the community, teachers and students. I would not send my children to this school. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Rio Grande High

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1990 418 34 14 1414 114 n/a n/a 0 1994
1991 361 45 0 1759 91 n/a n/a 0 2256
1992 390 45 4 1771 147 n/a n/a 0 2357
1993 360 50 3 1772 121 n/a n/a 0 2306
1994 361 54 4 1823 130 n/a n/a 0 2372
1995 333 60 4 1881 128 n/a n/a 0 2406
1996 333 60 4 1881 128 n/a n/a 0 2406
1997 291 45 2 1931 100 n/a n/a 0 2369
1998 252 44 3 1873 78 n/a n/a 0 2250
1999 211 41 3 1836 86 n/a n/a 0 2177
2000 213 35 3 1821 95 n/a n/a 0 2167
2001 180 29 5 1718 72 n/a n/a 0 2004
2002 120 23 3 1511 53 n/a n/a 0 1710
2003 120 23 3 1511 53 n/a n/a 0 1710
2004 125 35 3 1676 60 n/a n/a 0 1899
2005 133 27 4 1576 58 n/a n/a 0 1798
2006 142 29 2 1551 58 n/a n/a 0 1782
2007 140 36 7 1597 64 n/a n/a 0 1844
2008 141 19 7 1757 56 n/a n/a 0 1980
2009 133 17 4 1761 42 n/a n/a 0 1957
2010 77 16 3 1633 22 1 7 0 1759
2011 71 15 2 1476 20 0 5 0 1589
2012 62 17 3 1368 22 0 6 0 1478
2013 69 18 1 1345 18 0 8 0 1459
2014 73 10 4 1465 19 0 11 0 1582
2015 70 15 5 1450 18 0 8 0 1566
2016 60 11 4 1315 17 0 11 0 1418
2017 48 12 4 1507 15 0 11 0 1597
2018 51 11 5 1415 17 0 13 0 1512
2019 55 11 6 1448 28 0 14 0 1562
2020 54 8 5 1497 19 1 11 0 1595
2021 56 12 3 1507 20 1 10 0 1609
2022 39 10 1 1547 28 0 8 0 1633
2023 54 11 1 1438 20 0 8 0 1532

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Rio Grande High

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1990 1994 113.2 17.6 n/a
1991 2256 109.4 20.6 n/a
1992 2357 120.1 19.6 24.5
1993 2306 127.4 18.1 n/a
1994 2372 133.5 17.8 n/a
1995 2406 134.9 17.8 n/a
1996 2406 134.9 17.8 n/a
1997 2369 128.6 18.4 n/a
1998 2250 121.8 18.5 n/a
1999 2177 121.1 18.0 31.7
2000 2167 118.9 18.2 35.3
2001 2004 119.1 16.8 43.5
2002 1710 134.1 12.8 58.2
2003 1710 134.1 12.8 58.2
2004 1899 128.6 14.8 44.4
2005 1798 120.3 14.9 60.3
2006 1782 125.3 14.2 63.5
2007 1844 127.2 14.5 53.1
2008 1980 122.0 16.2 63.7
2009 1957 132.9 14.7 62.7
2010 1759 120.9 14.5 68.2
2011 1589 107.4 14.7 80.9
2012 1478 101.4 14.5 79.7
2013 1459 94.8 15.3 81.2
2014 1582 94.5 16.7 79.3
2015 1566 96.0 16.3 72
2016 1418 90.0 15.7 100
2017 1597 88.1 18.1 100
2018 1512 80.5 18.7 99.9
2019 1562 91.4 17.0 99.4
2020 1595 87.1 18.3 99.9
2021 1609 94.5 17.0 100
2022 1633 98.4 16.5 100
2023 1532 101.1 15.1 100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Rio Grande High

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1990 1994 113.2 17.6 n/a
1991 2256 109.4 20.6 n/a
1992 2357 120.1 19.6 24.5
1993 2306 127.4 18.1 n/a
1994 2372 133.5 17.8 n/a
1995 2406 134.9 17.8 n/a
1996 2406 134.9 17.8 n/a
1997 2369 128.6 18.4 n/a
1998 2250 121.8 18.5 n/a
1999 2177 121.1 18.0 31.7
2000 2167 118.9 18.2 35.3
2001 2004 119.1 16.8 43.5
2002 1710 134.1 12.8 58.2
2003 1710 134.1 12.8 58.2
2004 1899 128.6 14.8 44.4
2005 1798 120.3 14.9 60.3
2006 1782 125.3 14.2 63.5
2007 1844 127.2 14.5 53.1
2008 1980 122.0 16.2 63.7
2009 1957 132.9 14.7 62.7
2010 1759 120.9 14.5 68.2
2011 1589 107.4 14.7 80.9
2012 1478 101.4 14.5 79.7
2013 1459 94.8 15.3 81.2
2014 1582 94.5 16.7 79.3
2015 1566 96.0 16.3 72
2016 1418 90.0 15.7 100
2017 1597 88.1 18.1 100
2018 1512 80.5 18.7 99.9
2019 1562 91.4 17.0 99.4
2020 1595 87.1 18.3 99.9
2021 1609 94.5 17.0 100
2022 1633 98.4 16.5 100
2023 1532 101.1 15.1 100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Rio Grande High

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $9,858

Data source: New Mexico Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Rio Grande High

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 154th of 181 High schoolsRanks 156th of 170 High schools
 6.7%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
11th Grade Language Arts (Rio Grande High)3927
 12%
   11th Grade Language Arts (Albuquerque)4039.7
 0.3%
   11th Grade Language Arts (New Mexico)4033.1
 6.9%
11th Grade Mathematics (Rio Grande High)107.6
 2.4%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Albuquerque)1322
 9%
   11th Grade Mathematics (New Mexico)1015.9
 5.9%
11th Grade Science (Rio Grande High)1215.2
 3.2%
   11th Grade Science (Albuquerque)2641.9
 15.9%
   11th Grade Science (New Mexico)2540.2
 15.2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students15621532
 1.9%
African American1111
American Indian2820
 28.6%
Asian61
 83.3%
Hispanic14481438
 0.7%
Pacific Islander00
White5554
 1.8%
Two or More Races148
 42.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients99.4%100%
 0.6%


Schools Near Rio Grande High









Frequently Asked Questions about Rio Grande High

Students at Rio Grande High are 94% Hispanic, 4% White, 1% American Indian.

Rio Grande High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Adobe Acres Elementary
Elementary : Armijo Elementary
Elementary : Atrisco Elementary
Elementary : Barcelona Elementary
Elementary : Kit Carson Elementary
Elementary : Los Padillas Elementary
Elementary : Mountain View Elementary
Elementary : Navajo Elementary
Elementary : Pajarito Elementary
Elementary : Valle Vista Elementary
Middle : Ernie Pyle Middle
Middle : Harrison Middle
Middle : Polk Middle

Rio Grande High ranks in the bottom 16.3% of New Mexico high schools.

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,532 students attended Rio Grande High.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the New Mexico Public Education Department.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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