Portales Jr High in Portales, NM

At a glance

Reported students

326

NCES CCD 2024–25

Teachers (FTE)

NCES CCD 2024–25

Student–teacher ratio

9.1:1

Calculated; not a class-size measure

Grades served

07–08

NCES preliminary directory 2025–26

New Mexico middle enrollment

51st percentile

Compared with 156 same-level schools reporting enrollment.

District median enrollment

365

Portales Jr High: 326 reported students.

State peer staffing position

17th percentile

9.1:1 reported; state peer median 12.6:1. 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: 413
Teachers (FTE): 38
Student–teacher ratio: 10.9:1

What the reported data says about Portales Jr High

Portales Jr High is a public middle school serving grades 07–08 in Portales. It is one of 6 current school records connected to Portales Municipal Schools. NCES reports 326 students for 2024–25.

Among 156 middle schools in New Mexico with comparable records, this school is close in size to the reported median of 306.5 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 51st percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.

The reported student–teacher ratio is 9.1:1, below the New Mexico median of 12.6:1 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 (70.6%) and White (20.9%). English learners represent 6.8% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 18.6%. 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 Portales Jr High

1How do the reported 9.1:1 student–teacher ratio and 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?

Bring the full school visit checklist →

Enrollment needs

English learners: 6.8%
Students with disabilities: 18.6%
Free/reduced-price lunch: 99.7%
Lunch program: Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)

Reported support staff

Counselors (FTE): 1
Nurses (FTE): 1
Psychologists (FTE): 0.25
Social workers (FTE): 0.25

CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.

Student demographics

Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment

White20.9%
Hispanic70.6%
Black2.5%
Asian0.9%
American Indian / Alaska Native0.9%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
Multiracial4.3%

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.

Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.

Lindsey-Steiner Elementary

Middle · Grades 05–06

376 reported students

Brown Early Childhood Center

Elementary · Grades PK–KG

332 reported students

James Elementary

Elementary · Grades 01–02

364 reported students

Valencia Elementary

Elementary · Grades 03–04

366 reported students

Portales High

High · Grades 09–12

754 reported students

View all 6 district schools →

Public schools near Portales Jr High

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
Brown Early Childhood Center Elementary · Portales Municipal Schools	PK–KG	332	0.5 mi
Portales High High · Portales Municipal Schools	09–12	754	0.6 mi
Valencia Elementary Elementary · Portales Municipal Schools	03–04	366	0.8 mi
Lindsey-Steiner Elementary Middle · Portales Municipal Schools	05–06	376	1 mi
James Elementary Elementary · Portales Municipal Schools	01–02	364	1.1 mi

Compare all 6 public schools in Portales, NM →

Frequently asked questions about Portales Jr High

What grades does Portales Jr High serve?

Portales Jr High reports grades 07–08 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as a middle school in Portales Municipal Schools.

How many students attend Portales Jr High?

Portales Jr High reported 326 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 51st percentile among 156 New Mexico middle schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 413 students.

What is the student–teacher ratio at Portales Jr High?

The calculated ratio is 9.1:1, based on 326 students and 36 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The New Mexico median for the same school level is 12.6:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.

Is Portales Jr High a public, charter, or magnet school?

Portales Jr High is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Portales Municipal Schools attendance boundaries and transfer rules.

What share of Portales Jr High students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?

99.7% 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 Portales Jr High in?

Portales Jr High is part of Portales Municipal Schools, based in Portales, NM, which operates 6 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.

What public schools are near Portales Jr High?

The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Brown Early Childhood Center (0.5 mi), Portales High (0.6 mi), Valencia Elementary (0.8 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.