At a glance
Reported students
502
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
41.5
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
12.1:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
PK–05
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
New Mexico elementary enrollment
89th percentile
Compared with 451 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
450
Desert Hills Elementary: 502 reported students.
State peer staffing position
46th percentile
12.1:1 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
- 553
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37.79
- Student–teacher ratio
- 14.6:1
What the reported data says about Desert Hills Elementary
Desert Hills Elementary is a public elementary school serving grades PK–05 in Las Cruces. It is one of 39 current school records connected to Las Cruces Public Schools. NCES reports 502 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 89th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 12.1:1, close to 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 (67.7%) and White (20.5%). English learners represent 13.7% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 12.7%. 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 Desert Hills Elementary
- 1How do the reported 12.1:1 student–teacher ratio and 41.5 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
- 13.7%
- Students with disabilities
- 12.7%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 100%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 1
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1.08
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0.08
- Social workers (FTE)
- 1.57
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White20.5%
- Hispanic67.7%
- Black2.6%
- Asian5.2%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.8%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial3.2%
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 Las Cruces Public Schools
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Cesar Chavez Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–02
492 reported students
East Picacho Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
460 reported students
Loma Heights Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
450 reported students
Tombaugh Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
565 reported students
Jornada Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
429 reported students
Hillrise Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
421 reported students
Public schools near Desert Hills 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explore Academy Las Cruces Elementary · Charter · Explore Academy Las Cruces | KG–08 | 599 | 1.1 mi |
| Hillrise Elementary Elementary · Las Cruces Public Schools | PK–05 | 421 | 1.6 mi |
| Hermosa Heights Elementary Elementary · Las Cruces Public Schools | PK–05 | 408 | 1.8 mi |
| Loma Heights Elementary Elementary · Las Cruces Public Schools | PK–05 | 450 | 1.9 mi |
| Conlee Elementary Elementary · Las Cruces Public Schools | PK–05 | 417 | 2.2 mi |
| Booker T. Washington Elementary · Las Cruces Public Schools | PK–05 | 361 | 2.2 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Desert Hills Elementary
What grades does Desert Hills Elementary serve?
Desert Hills Elementary reports grades PK–05 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Las Cruces Public Schools.
How many students attend Desert Hills Elementary?
Desert Hills Elementary reported 502 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 89th percentile among 451 New Mexico elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 553 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Desert Hills Elementary?
The calculated ratio is 12.1:1, based on 502 students and 41.5 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 Desert Hills Elementary a public, charter, or magnet school?
Desert Hills Elementary is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Las Cruces Public Schools attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Desert Hills Elementary students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
100% 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 Desert Hills Elementary in?
Desert Hills Elementary is part of Las Cruces Public Schools, based in Las Cruces, NM, which operates 39 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Desert Hills Elementary?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Explore Academy Las Cruces (1.1 mi), Hillrise Elementary (1.6 mi), Hermosa Heights Elementary (1.8 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.