The top reported proficiency rate is 81% in English language arts. The lowest is 52% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Anansi Charter School
Anansi Charter School sits in El Prado, an unincorporated residential community on the north side of Taos in northern New Mexico. The school serves kindergarten through eighth grade and operates as a charter school under the Taos Municipal Schools umbrella. Its enrollment is small, with a fairly even spread across grade levels, giving it the feel of a compact, single-building school rather than a sprawling campus.
The academic results from the most recent state assessment cycle stand out, particularly in English language arts. Anansi's ELA proficiency rate is very strong, well above what most New Mexico schools post, suggesting a culture that takes literacy seriously. Science proficiency is also solid, with a healthy share of tested students clearing the proficiency bar. Math is the softer area: a little over half of tested students reached proficiency, which is respectable but leaves room for growth compared to the school's reading performance. A parent weighing this school might want to look into how math instruction is structured and what support exists for students working below grade level. Only one year of assessment data was available, so there is no trend to judge whether these results are improving, holding steady, or rebounding. Average scale scores and participation rates were not reported, which limits the picture somewhat.
The student body is modest in size and reflects the mixed character of the surrounding area. Slightly more than half of students identify as white, and a substantial portion identify as Hispanic, with small numbers of American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, and multiracial students. Roughly half the enrollment qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, which places the school in a middle range of economic need rather than the high-poverty category common to many New Mexico charters. Data on individualized education programs and English learner status was not available, so it is hard to say how the school serves students with disabilities or those acquiring English. A parent whose child falls into either group should ask the school directly about services and staffing.
El Prado itself is a quiet, rural-suburban place with wide-open high-desert views and no real downtown of its own. Residents depend on nearby Taos, just a few miles south, for major shopping, civic business, and many services. The El Prado Community Center acts as a local anchor, and cultural destinations like the Millicent Rogers Museum and the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge sit in the area. Publicly reported descriptions paint El Prado as a community with a highly educated population and expensive real estate, with housing ranging from traditional adobe to modern eco-friendly builds on larger lots. Taos County officially designated El Prado a Traditional Historic Community a few years ago, and development has trended toward custom, high-end construction that preserves the rural feel.
The housing market around the school reflects that character. Typical home values in the school's zip code sit well above both the state and national benchmarks, and the estimated monthly mortgage on a typical home is substantial given current interest rates. Rent data was not available. For families considering a move to the area, housing costs are a real factor, and the price-to-income ratio suggests affordability is stretched compared to many parts of the country. This is a place where buying a home requires a solid income or existing equity.
Several pieces of information that parents often look for were not available in the data. There were no reported program offerings, course catalogs, or career-pathway details, which is typical for a K through 8 charter but still leaves a gap for families wanting to know about enrichment, arts, or extracurriculars. No staffing, attendance, or discipline data was provided. There is no graduation rate, which is expected because the school does not serve high school grades. No neighbor comparison was available to position Anansi against nearby schools. The district brief for Taos Municipal Schools turned up little of lasting impact recently, so there is no fresh district-level change to report.
What the available picture suggests is a small charter school with a clear strength in reading and writing, competent science results, and a math program that a parent might want to probe. It draws from a rural, relatively affluent community with a mixed student body and moderate economic need. Families who value a smaller setting, a literary bent, and a connection to the land and culture of northern New Mexico may find it worth a closer look. Those needing detailed information about special education, English learner services, or enrichment offerings should go straight to the school, because the data does not carry those answers.
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