The top reported proficiency rate is 21% in English language arts. The lowest is 9% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on James Rodriguez Elementary
James Rodriguez Elementarysits on North Coronado Avenue in Española, a small city in the Española Valley of northern New Mexico. The school serves first through sixth graders as part of Española Public Schools, a district that publicly reported sources describe as among the larger districts in the state. Española itself straddles Rio Arriba and Santa Fe counties and functions as a regional hub for the surrounding communities. The city's identity is tied to its location at the confluence of three rivers, the Rio Grande, Rio Chama, and Rio Santa Cruz, nestled between the Jemez and Sangre de Cristo ranges. Its economy depends heavily on commuting to Los Alamos National Laboratory, with education and retail as the other main local sectors. The population has been declining slightly in recent years, and no major housing developments surfaced in the information available.
The school's enrollment is modest for its grade band, with students spread fairly evenly across the six grades it serves. The student body is almost entirely Hispanic, reflecting the broader community, with small Native American and Asian American presences. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, which points to the economic pressures many families in the area face. The data did not include counts for students with individualized education programs or English learners, so those populations could not be characterized here.
On the most recent state assessments, James Rodriguez Elementary's results were low in both subjects tested. In English language arts, roughly a fifth of tested students reached proficiency. In math, the share proficient was much lower, with only a small fraction meeting that bar. Science results were reported as a range, and only a handful of students were tested, which limits what can be read from that figure. No multi-year trend was available because the data covered a single assessment cycle, so there is no way to tell from these numbers whether performance is improving, holding steady, or declining. A parent considering this school may want to look into the academic supports the school has in place and ask how the staff is working to strengthen math instruction in particular.
Because the school does not serve high school grades, there is no graduation rate to report. The data also lacked information on course offerings, staffing levels, attendance patterns, discipline, and any specialized programs. Title I status was not reported either, though given the high proportion of students from economically disadvantaged households, federal support would be common for a school with this profile. The gaps here reflect what was and was not available rather than anything about the school itself.
The housing market around the school sits below both state and national benchmarks for typical home values, which may make purchasing more accessible for families already in the area, though mortgage rates remain elevated relative to recent history. Rent data was not available for this zip code, so renters will need to look elsewhere for a sense of local rental costs. The estimated monthly mortgage on a typical home, assuming a conventional down payment, would stretch many household budgets given the area's income profile.
Española's civic life centers on the Plaza de Española, a gathering space with a fountain modeled on the Alhambra and the Convent Mission. Northern New Mexico College, which has been expanding its campus with a new library and a School of Education, adds an educational anchor to the community. The city's motto, publicly reported, speaks to cultures uniting, and the low-rider tradition for which the city is known reflects that cultural fabric. For a parent weighing James Rodriguez Elementary, the school offers a small, community-rooted setting with a predominantly Hispanic student body and a grade configuration that carries children from first grade through the transition into middle school. The academic results, particularly in math, are an area to explore directly with the school before deciding whether it is the right fit.
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