Public schools in Carlsbad, NM
13 open public schools with an address in Carlsbad, operated by 1 education agency. Compare size, staffing, grade spans, and school type, then confirm assignment with the district.
Public schools
13
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
Reported students
6,901
13 schools reporting · NCES 2024–25
Median student–teacher ratio
16.3:1
New Mexico median 12.4:1
Charter schools
1
0 virtual
An overview of Carlsbad public schools
The federal directory lists 13 public schools in Carlsbad, NM: 7 elementary, 2 middle, 2 high, 2 combined or other. The 13 schools that reported 2024–25 membership enrolled 6,901 students, an average of 531 per school. The largest campus is Carlsbad High (1,685 students), and the largest elementary school is Cottonwood Elementary (684).
Every listed school belongs to Carlsbad Municipal Schools. City names come from school mailing addresses, which often differ from district or municipal boundaries.
Across schools that reported staffing, the median student–teacher ratio is 16.3:1, higher than the statewide school median of 12.4:1. A ratio counts classroom-teacher FTE against total enrollment, so specialized programs and part-time staffing can move it; ask schools for actual class sizes by grade.
School choice options include 1 charter school. Application windows and lotteries usually open months before the school year.
Among 4 high and combined schools with 2021–22 civil-rights data, 1 reported students enrolled in AP courses and 2 of 4 reported computer-science classes. Confirm current course catalogs directly with each school.
About 25% of students in reporting schools were eligible for free or reduced-price meals in 2024–25. This describes the community served; it is not a quality signal, and community-eligibility schools can report differently.
School districts and agencies serving Carlsbad
Elementary schools in Carlsbad
7| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cottonwood Elementary Carlsbad Municipal Schools | KG–05 | 684 | 15.4:1 | |
| Desert Willow Elementary Carlsbad Municipal Schools | KG–05 | 667 | 15:1 | |
| Early Childhood Education Center Carlsbad Municipal Schools | PK–KG | 207 | 18.1:1 | |
| Edison Elementary Carlsbad Municipal Schools | 01–05 | 0 | — | |
| Monterrey Elementary Carlsbad Municipal Schools | KG–05 | 366 | 16.6:1 | |
| Ocotillo Elementary Carlsbad Municipal Schools | PK–05 | 621 | 16.5:1 | |
| Sunset Elementary Carlsbad Municipal Schools | KG–05 | 438 | 17:1 |
Middle schools in Carlsbad
2| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlsbad Intermediate School - Pr Leyva Campus Carlsbad Municipal Schools | 06–08 | 908 | 18.9:1 | |
| Carlsbad Sixth Grade Academy - Alta Vista Campus Carlsbad Municipal Schools | 06–08 | 740 | 15:1 |
High schools in Carlsbad
2| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlsbad Early College High Carlsbad Municipal Schools | 09–12 | 200 | 14.3:1 | |
| Carlsbad High Carlsbad Municipal Schools | 09–12 | 1,685 | 19.7:1 |
Combined, early-childhood, and other schools in Carlsbad
2| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlsbad Enrichment Center Carlsbad Municipal Schools · Alternative School | 01–12 | 170 | 16.1:1 | |
| Jefferson Montessori Carlsbad Municipal Schools · Charter | KG–12 | 215 | 11.4:1 |
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White27.2%
- Hispanic68.2%
- Black1.2%
- Asian0.9%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.5%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.2%
- Multiracial1.9%
Enrollment-weighted across 12 Carlsbad schools with NCES CCD 2024–25 race/ethnicity counts (6,901 students). Privacy suppression can leave small gaps.
Questions about public schools in Carlsbad
How many public schools are in Carlsbad, NM?
The current NCES directory lists 13 open public schools with a location address in Carlsbad: 7 elementary, 2 middle, 2 high, 2 combined or other. Together they reported 6,901 students in 2024–25. The count includes charter, alternative, and special-purpose public schools; it excludes private schools.
Which school districts serve Carlsbad?
All listed public schools with an address in Carlsbad belong to Carlsbad Municipal Schools. Mailing cities do not always match district boundaries, so confirm the district for a specific home address.
What is the largest public high school in Carlsbad?
Carlsbad High reported the largest high-school enrollment in Carlsbad, with 1,685 students in 2024–25 (grades 09–12). Size is a description of the campus, not a quality measure.
Are there charter schools in Carlsbad?
Yes. 1 of the 13 public schools in Carlsbad are identified as charter schools in the NCES directory, including Jefferson Montessori. Charter schools are public and tuition-free, but admission usually uses an application or lottery.
What is the typical student–teacher ratio in Carlsbad schools?
The median reported student–teacher ratio across Carlsbad public schools is 16.3:1, higher than the New Mexico school median of 12.4:1. The ratio divides enrollment by classroom-teacher FTE; it is not an average class size.
Does living in Carlsbad guarantee a seat at a specific school?
No. Assignment depends on the district's attendance boundaries, programs, and enrollment rules, which can split a city or cross city lines. Use the district profile and its official boundary or school-locator tool to confirm the assigned school for an exact address.
Nearby New Mexico cities
Sources: NCES Common Core of Data 2025–26 preliminary directory (schools, grades, addresses, charter status) and 2024–25 nonfiscal files (enrollment, teachers, race/ethnicity, meal eligibility); Civil Rights Data Collection 2021–22 (AP and computer science). Cities are grouped by school mailing address. Methodology · All New Mexico cities