NMPED News:
SANTA FE — Nineteen New Mexico schools have dramatically improved student achievement, with two reaching the state’s highest performance tier after previously ranking among the lowest-performing schools in the state.
The encouraging findings are contained in the New Mexico Public Education Department’s (NMPPED) new school designations for the 2024–25 school year, highlighting schools that have exited Comprehensive Support & Improvement (CSI) designation—the state’s category for schools identified as lowest-performing.
“These 19 schools prove that with the right support, strong leadership and dedicated educators, New Mexico students can succeed,” Secretary of Public Education Mariana D. Padilla said. “Their success is proof that investing in data-driven strategies and collaborative school cultures delivers real results for kids.”
Of the 19 schools that exited CSI status, two schools advanced to Spotlight status (the highest-performing school designation), 15 advanced to Traditional status and two advanced to Targeted Support & Improvement (TSI) status.
One school advanced from More Rigorous Intervention (MRI) status to TSI status. Because MRI represents a more chronic level of need than CSI, this transition demonstrates that meaningful improvement and progress out of the most intensive support status is achievable.
Driving improvement through data, leadership and family engagement
Two New Mexico schools—Mesa Elementary in Shiprock and Armijo Elementary in Albuquerque—exited CSI status into Traditional status after demonstrating sustained improvement in student achievement through focused instructional leadership, data-informed decision-making and collaboration among teachers and families.
At Mesa Elementary, Principal Gina Jones and her team have transformed instruction with clear lesson planning, data-driven decision-making and weekly teacher collaboration. Student progress is closely monitored using tools such as iMSSA, Amira/Istation and WiDA, leading to steady gains in reading and math, particularly in grades three through five. Targeted professional development, observation cycles and structured feedback support continuous improvement, fostering a culture of rigorous instruction, teamwork and measurable student success.
At Armijo Elementary, led by Principal Angelica Portillo, “Wonderful Wednesday” sessions allow staff to review data, align instruction and target interventions. Tools like Formative Loop and i-Ready guide real-time instructional adjustments. Literacy remains a top priority, with evidence-based programs strengthening reading and writing skills. Family engagement initiatives, including a Parent Teacher Organization and hands-on workshops, build strong school-home partnerships and a shared commitment to student achievement.
These schools exemplify how strategic leadership, effective use of data and collaborative cultures can drive lasting improvement and help schools move out of CSI status toward sustained academic success.
Schools were rated on a point system based on the following indicators:
- Math, reading and science achievement/assessment results
- Growth in math and reading across time
- Student attendance
- Progress towards English language proficiency for students who are English learners
- Post-secondary readiness*
- Graduation rates*
- Graduation rate growth*
*Applies to high school ratings only
The school designations are:
- Spotlight–Highest recognition; schools among the top 25% of schools
- Traditional–Good standing; not in designation
- Targeted Support & Improvement (TSI)–Schools with consistently underperforming student groups
- Additional Targeted Support & Improvement (ATSI)–Schools in need of support with one or more of the lowest performing groups of students
- Comprehensive Support & Improvement (CSI)–Schools scoring in the bottom 5% of Title I schools overall or that have a graduation rate below 67%
- More Rigorous Interventions (MRI)–Schools not exiting CSI status after 3 years of receiving support
New Mexico Vistas, developed by the New Mexico Public Education Department in 2019, serves as a public reporting data website that showcases school performance aligned to ESSA.