Summary:
The 87553 zip code area is home to three schools - Penasco Elementary, Penasco High, and Penasco Middle - all part of the Penasco school district. While the schools face significant economic challenges, with all students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, Penasco High School stands out as a strong performer, ranking 28th out of 190 New Mexico high schools and earning a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.
Penasco High School has consistently outperformed the state average in several key test score metrics, including 53% proficiency in SAT English Language Arts (compared to 34% statewide) and 63% proficiency in NM Combined Science (compared to 34% statewide). The school also maintains a relatively low student-teacher ratio of 14:1. In contrast, Penasco Elementary and Middle Schools have shown more mixed performance, with some areas above the state average and others below, and higher student-teacher ratios of 35.1:1 and 26.6:1, respectively.
The data highlights the importance of considering the broader context and equity issues when evaluating school performance. While Penasco High School has demonstrated strong academic achievement, the significant economic challenges faced by the entire Penasco school community, as evidenced by the 100% free or reduced-price lunch rates, suggest that additional support and resources may be needed to ensure all students in the area have access to a quality education.
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