At a glance
Reported students
640
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
38.23
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
16.7:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
KG–05
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
New Mexico elementary enrollment
97th percentile
Compared with 451 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
656.5
Cielo Azul Elementary: 640 reported students.
State peer staffing position
91st percentile
16.7:1 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
- 663
- Teachers (FTE)
- 45.59
- Student–teacher ratio
- 14.5:1
What the reported data says about Cielo Azul Elementary
Cielo Azul Elementary is a public elementary school serving grades KG–05 in Rio Rancho. It is one of 21 current school records connected to Rio Rancho Public Schools. NCES reports 640 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 97th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 16.7:1, 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 (57.5%) and White (23.8%). 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 Cielo Azul Elementary
- 1How do the reported 16.7:1 student–teacher ratio and 38.23 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 2 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
- 6.8%
- Students with disabilities
- 18.6%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 100%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 2
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0.5
- Social workers (FTE)
- 2
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White23.8%
- Hispanic57.5%
- Black3.3%
- Asian2.2%
- American Indian / Alaska Native3.4%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.2%
- Multiracial9.7%
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 Rio Rancho Public Schools
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Maggie Cordova Elementary School
Elementary · Grades KG–05
608 reported students
Enchanted Hills Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–05
673 reported students
Joe Harris Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–05
574 reported students
Martin King Jr Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–05
569 reported students
Sandia Vista Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
713 reported students
Colinas del Norte Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–05
540 reported students
Public schools near Cielo Azul 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colinas del Norte Elementary Elementary · Rio Rancho Public Schools | KG–05 | 540 | 1.4 mi |
| Ernest Stapleton Elementary Elementary · Rio Rancho Public Schools | KG–05 | 798 | 3.6 mi |
| Vista Grande Elementary Elementary · Rio Rancho Public Schools | KG–05 | 786 | 5.3 mi |
| Enchanted Hills Elementary Elementary · Rio Rancho Public Schools | KG–05 | 673 | 5.3 mi |
| Puesta del Sol Elementary Elementary · Rio Rancho Public Schools | KG–05 | 539 | 5.5 mi |
| Maggie Cordova Elementary School Elementary · Rio Rancho Public Schools | KG–05 | 608 | 5.7 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Cielo Azul Elementary
What grades does Cielo Azul Elementary serve?
Cielo Azul Elementary reports grades KG–05 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Rio Rancho Public Schools.
How many students attend Cielo Azul Elementary?
Cielo Azul Elementary reported 640 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 97th percentile among 451 New Mexico elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 663 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Cielo Azul Elementary?
The calculated ratio is 16.7:1, based on 640 students and 38.23 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 Cielo Azul Elementary a public, charter, or magnet school?
Cielo Azul Elementary is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Rio Rancho Public Schools attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Cielo Azul 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 Cielo Azul Elementary in?
Cielo Azul Elementary is part of Rio Rancho Public Schools, based in Rio Rancho, NM, which operates 21 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Cielo Azul Elementary?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Colinas del Norte Elementary (1.4 mi), Ernest Stapleton Elementary (3.6 mi), Vista Grande Elementary (5.3 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.