At a glance
Reported students
684
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
44.36
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
15.4:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
KG–05
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
New Mexico elementary enrollment
98th percentile
Compared with 451 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
438
Cottonwood Elementary: 684 reported students.
State peer staffing position
85th percentile
15.4:1 reported; state peer median 12.4:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 709
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22.6
- Student–teacher ratio
- 31.4:1
What the reported data says about Cottonwood Elementary
Cottonwood Elementary is a public elementary school serving grades KG–05 in Carlsbad. It is one of 13 current school records connected to Carlsbad Municipal Schools. NCES reports 684 students for 2024–25.
Among 451 elementary schools in New Mexico with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 306 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 98th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 15.4:1, above the New Mexico median of 12.4:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are Hispanic or Latino (81.6%) and White (14.5%). English learners represent 14.4% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 16.2%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Cottonwood Elementary
- 1How do the reported 15.4:1 student–teacher ratio and 44.36 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 1 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 14.4%
- Students with disabilities
- 16.2%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 28.1%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 1
- Nurses (FTE)
- 2.05
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0.07
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0.07
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White14.5%
- Hispanic81.6%
- Black1%
- Asian0.7%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.6%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.4%
- Multiracial1.2%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Carlsbad Municipal Schools
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Desert Willow Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–05
667 reported students
Ocotillo Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
621 reported students
Sunset Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–05
438 reported students
Monterrey Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–05
366 reported students
Early Childhood Education Center
Elementary · Grades PK–KG
207 reported students
Edison Elementary
Elementary · Grades 01–05
0 reported students
Public schools near Cottonwood Elementary
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Education Center Elementary · Carlsbad Municipal Schools | PK–KG | 207 | 0.1 mi |
| Edison Elementary Elementary · Carlsbad Municipal Schools | 01–05 | 0 | 1.2 mi |
| Sunset Elementary Elementary · Carlsbad Municipal Schools | KG–05 | 438 | 1.3 mi |
| Desert Willow Elementary Elementary · Carlsbad Municipal Schools | KG–05 | 667 | 2.2 mi |
| Monterrey Elementary Elementary · Carlsbad Municipal Schools | KG–05 | 366 | 2.5 mi |
| Ocotillo Elementary Elementary · Carlsbad Municipal Schools | PK–05 | 621 | 3 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Cottonwood Elementary
What grades does Cottonwood Elementary serve?
Cottonwood Elementary reports grades KG–05 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Carlsbad Municipal Schools.
How many students attend Cottonwood Elementary?
Cottonwood Elementary reported 684 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 98th percentile among 451 New Mexico elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 709 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Cottonwood Elementary?
The calculated ratio is 15.4:1, based on 684 students and 44.36 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The New Mexico median for the same school level is 12.4:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Cottonwood Elementary a public, charter, or magnet school?
Cottonwood Elementary is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Carlsbad Municipal Schools attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Cottonwood Elementary students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
28.1% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. The school participates in community eligibility, which can provide meals to every student and changes how eligibility is reported. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Cottonwood Elementary in?
Cottonwood Elementary is part of Carlsbad Municipal Schools, based in Carlsbad, NM, which operates 13 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Cottonwood Elementary?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Early Childhood Education Center (0.1 mi), Edison Elementary (1.2 mi), Sunset Elementary (1.3 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.