Ten of Rio Rancho Public Schools’ 11 elementary schools improved in English language arts proficiency and eight improved in mathematics in the latest NM Vistas accountability results. Across the district, 10 schools earned Spotlight status, New Mexico’s highest school accountability designation.
The results reflect the work of students, educators and families and provide a foundation for RRPS’ goal of every school achieving Spotlight status by 2030.
“These gains reflect our students’ hard work, the dedication and expertise of our educators, and the support families provide every day,” said Dr. Robert Dodd, superintendent of Rio Rancho Public Schools. “We are proud of this progress, and we have much more work to do. Our goal is for every student to build a strong foundation and continue on a path to success throughout their years in RRPS.”
Elementary school highlights include:
Colinas del Norte Elementary: Proficiency increased by 13.7 percentage points in English Language Arts (ELA) and 12.2 points in mathematics. This represents the highest growth in elementary school ELA and the second highest growth in mathematics across the entire state among medium-sized schools (400-799 students).
Vista Grande Elementary: Proficiency increased by 9.6 percentage points in English language arts and 8.1 points in mathematics. Vista Grande also placed within the top 10 elementary schools in New Mexico for highest growth in both literacy and math among medium-sized schools (400-799 students).
Ernest Stapleton Elementary: English language arts proficiency rose 6.5 percentage points to 66.7 percent, while mathematics proficiency increased 3.4 points.
At the secondary level, Mountain View Middle School and Lincoln Middle School earned Spotlight status, as did Cleveland High School, Rio Rancho High School and Rio Rancho Cyber Academy. All three high school campuses also increased their accountability points for college and career readiness. Independence High School recorded proficiency gains of 5.3 percentage points in English language arts and 15.4 points in science.
NM Vistas is the state’s school accountability and reporting system. Spotlight recognizes schools among the top 25 percent statewide, based on measures that include achievement, academic growth and attendance, along with graduation and college and career readiness for high schools.
RRPS is using the results to guide improvements already underway, including expanded math acceleration opportunities and intervention and enrichment pilots at selected elementary schools. Teacher teams are reviewing student work to adjust instruction, while school and district leaders monitor progress and identify where additional support is needed. Every school will communicate directly with families about its results and the steps it is taking to improve, including ways families can support learning.
“We want RRPS to be the educational provider of choice for families, and we have to earn that trust through the education and opportunities we provide,” Dodd said. “We thank families for choosing our schools. They deserve to know how their school is doing and what we are doing to help their children succeed.”
The results will also inform the district’s upcoming strategic planning process, with opportunities for community input this fall. Families can explore school results through the New Mexico Vistas portal.