- Enrollment
- 2,089
- Students per teacher
- 16.7:1
- Resource Index
- 38/100
Middle school (grades 6-8) · Albuquerque, NM
Desert Ridge Middle
Federal NCES profile for Desert Ridge Middle, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 47/100.
2024-25 NCES dataMiddle school (grades 6-8)NCES 350006000764
👥 S:T ratio 46
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 36
📋 Attendance 38
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Desert Ridge Middle earns 47/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the New Mexico median. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most New Mexico schools.
- #8 of 28
- middle schools in Albuquerque · Resource Index
- 47
- Resource Index · Typical
- 13.6:1
- students per teacher
- 14.8%
- free-lunch eligible
Desert Ridge Middle has class sizes near the New Mexico median. Computed live against every New Mexico school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Desert Ridge Middle ranks #8 of 28 middle schools in Albuquerque, NM.
School address
District: Albuquerque Public Schools · New Mexico
NCES ID 350006000764 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-28 students YoY
Desert Ridge Middle held near 788 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-28 headcount).
Teacher FTE lost 60.0 → 59.3 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
-28 students YoY 350006000764 · Albuquerque, NM Middle · MID · TRAD
801 enr · 13.6:1 · 14.8% lunch · RII 47
Nearest enrollment peer: Volcano Vista High (2,089 students)
Desert Ridge Middle held near 788 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-28 headcount). Teacher FTE lost 60.0 → 59.3 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · New Mexico schools → · Find another →
Desert Ridge Middle in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Volcano Vista
Volcano Vista High
2,089 students
- Atrisco Herita
Atrisco Heritage Academy Hs
1,930 students
- La Cueva High
La Cueva High
1,826 students
- Sandia High
Sandia High
1,618 students
- Eldorado High
Eldorado High
1,579 students
- This school 801
Desert Ridge Middle
801 students
What this shows Desert Ridge Middle reports 801 students on the CCD universe file.
How Desert Ridge Middle compares
Desert Ridge Middle held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs New Mexico and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs New Mexico | New Mexico avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 13.6:1 | ▼ 3% | 14:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 14.8% | ▼ 82% | 80.8% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 801 | top 7% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
13.6:1
Leaner classes than 61% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
801
Bigger than 85% of US schools by enrollment, a large campus nationally.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
14.8%
free-lunch eligible
- 82% below the New Mexico average of 80.8%
Below the 40% Title I threshold, among the lower-need profiles in the state; federal aid targets individual qualifying students rather than schoolwide programs.
Staffing depth
13.6:1
students per teacher
- 3% below state mean
Top 53% in New Mexico - lower ratio than 47% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
24.8%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$15,108
per pupil, district-wide
- below New Mexico avg of $19,381
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors2.5 FTE
Per 320 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
19
in-school suspensions + 26 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 2.4 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 5.6 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 39.5%
Hispanic or Latino 36.8%
Asian 10.2%
Two or More 8.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native 3.0%
African American 1.7%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.2%
Largest group: White at 39.5% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 69.0/100
Simpson diversity index - at 69.0, Desert Ridge Middle is more mixed than the New Mexico school average of 39.8.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Albuquerque Public Schools reports $15,108 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Desert Ridge Middle Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volcano Vista High | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Atrisco Heritage Academy Hs | Larger | Higher economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| La Cueva High | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Sandia High | Larger | Higher economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Eldorado High | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Desert Ridge Middle's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 1,930
- Students per teacher
- 15.1:1
- Resource Index
- 60/100
- Enrollment
- 1,826
- Students per teacher
- 19.2:1
- Resource Index
- 46/100
- Enrollment
- 1,618
- Students per teacher
- 16.2:1
- Resource Index
- 41/100
- Enrollment
- 1,579
- Students per teacher
- 15.9:1
- Resource Index
- 48/100
Nationwide middle schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~801 students)
Frequently asked questions about Desert Ridge Middle
How many students attend Desert Ridge Middle?
Desert Ridge Middle has 801 students enrolled. It is a middle school in Albuquerque, NM. CCD year-over-year: 816 (2022-23) → 788 (2023-24), nearly flat (-28).
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Ridge Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Ridge Middle is 13.6:1, which is 3% lower than the New Mexico average of 14:1 and 13% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Desert Ridge Middle?
14.8% of students at Desert Ridge Middle are eligible for free lunch, compared to the New Mexico average of 80.8%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Desert Ridge Middle?
The largest demographic group at Desert Ridge Middle is White at 39.5% of enrollment, in Albuquerque, NM. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 69.0/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Desert Ridge Middle?
Desert Ridge Middle has a Resource Investment Index of 47/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Desert Ridge Middle rank among middle schools in Albuquerque?
By Resource Investment Index, Desert Ridge Middle ranks #8 of 28 middle schools in Albuquerque, NM. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all middle schools in Albuquerque on the city page.
What other schools are in Albuquerque Public Schools?
Besides Desert Ridge Middle, Albuquerque Public Schools also operates Volcano Vista High (2,089 students), Atrisco Heritage Academy Hs (1,930 students), and La Cueva High (1,826 students). See the Albuquerque Public Schools district page for the complete list.