The top reported proficiency rate is 40% in English language arts. The lowest is 23% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Harrison Schmitt Elementary
Harrison Schmitt Elementary sits along Highway 90 on the southwest edge of Silver City, serving first through sixth graders as part of Silver Consolidated Schools. The school draws from a town that blends a compact, walkable historic downtown with a university campus and a tourism, arts, and mining economy. Western New Mexico University is close to the downtown core, and the town serves as the Grant County seat. The nearby Santa Rita copper mine and the vast Gila National Forest shape both the economy and the surrounding landscape. Silver City's population has been gradually declining over recent census cycles, with the community oriented toward downtown revitalization and cultural tourism rather than large-scale new development.
The school's state assessment results from the most recent year show a clear split between subjects. In English language arts, proficiency sits below the midpoint, with roughly four in ten students meeting the state's proficient-or-above benchmark. Math results are lower, with under a quarter of tested students reaching proficiency. Science results were reported in a suppressed range that appears quite low, with only a handful of tested students demonstrating proficiency. Only one year of data is available, so there is no trend to indicate whether performance is moving up or down. A parent may want to look into how the school supports students working below grade level, particularly in math and science.
The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals. A small number of students identify as multiracial or American Indian/Alaska Native. Several demographic details were not available in the provided data, including the rates of students with individualized education programs and English learners. These are pieces a parent might ask the school about directly to understand the full range of student support services.
Silver City's housing market is relatively affordable compared with state and national benchmarks. Home values in the school's zip code have declined over the past year, diverging from the modest appreciation seen at the state and national levels. The estimated monthly mortgage cost sits well below what many buyers would face in larger New Mexico markets, and the price-to-income ratio is favorable. Rental data was not available. The broader economic context includes a national unemployment rate in a typical range and mortgage rates that have been easing slightly in recent months.
Several data categories that parents often look for were absent from the provided material. There is no locale classification, no Title I status, no discipline or attendance data, no staffing information, and no details about specific programs or course offerings. The district brief for Silver Consolidated Schools turned up no recent parent-relevant changes such as bond elections, curriculum shifts, or budget adjustments within the search window. This does not mean nothing is happening locally, only that the available sources did not surface concrete details. A family would want to contact the school or district directly for current information on these fronts.
What the data does show is a small-town elementary school in a community with a rich mix of cultural, educational, and economic anchors. The academic picture is mixed, with stronger results in reading than in math or science. The community context offers families access to a university town with outdoor recreation and a walkable downtown, though the declining population and softening home values suggest a local economy that is not growing rapidly. For a family considering Harrison Schmitt Elementary, the most useful next step would be to visit the school, ask about math and science instruction, and learn what support structures exist for the substantial share of students from lower-income households.
See more original research from School Decision →