St. Thomas Aquinas School Photo - Sister Anne Louise spends instructional time with STAS 1st grade class.

Best Rio Rancho Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 5 private schools serving 729 students in Rio Rancho, NM (there are 23 public schools, serving 17,671 public students). 4% of all K-12 students in Rio Rancho, NM are educated in private schools (compared to the NM state average of 7%).
The top-ranked private school in Rio Rancho, NM is St. Thomas Aquinas School.
The average acceptance rate is 99%, which is higher than the New Mexico private school average acceptance rate of 84%.
80% of private schools in Rio Rancho, NM are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).

Top-Ranked Rio Rancho Private Schools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
St. Thomas Aquinas School
St. Thomas Aquinas School Photo - Sister Anne Louise spends instructional time with STAS 1st grade class.
(Catholic)
(4)
1100 Hood Road SE
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
(505) 892-3221
Gr: PK-8 | 391 students Avg. class size: 25 students Sports: 7 | Extracurrculars: 7 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Covenant School Of Rio Rancho
Daycare / Preschool (Christian)
1601 Barbara Loop Se
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
(505) 994-4600
Gr: NS-PK | 110 students Avg. class size: 10 students Sports: 1
Gospel Light Baptist Academy
(Baptist)
1500 Southern Blvd SE
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
(505) 289-2130
Gr: K-12 | 169 students Avg. class size: 14 students Tuition listed
Leap International Montessori School
Montessori School
1598 Sara Rd
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
(505) 994-9433
Gr: PK-4 | 35 students
Living Word Christian Academy
Alternative School (Pentecostal)
1901 17th Ave Ne
Rio Rancho, NM 87144
(505) 892-7378
Gr: 1-12 | 24 students

Overview

This Town (Rio Rancho)
This State (NM)
# Schools
5 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
729 Students
23,461 Students
% Average Students of Color
69%
50%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
67 Teachers
2,346 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
10:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
10%
58%
Average Class Size
16 students
15 students

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$4,136
$8,685
Average % on Financial Aid
20%
32%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$800
$4,837
Average Acceptance Rate
99%
84%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.71
0.74
# American Indian Students
26 Students
2,110 Students
% American Indian Students
4%
10%
# Asian Students
25 Students
580 Students
% Asian Students
3%
2%
# Hispanic Students
314 Students
5,012 Students
% Hispanic Students
43%
23%
# Black Students
15 Students
430 Students
% Black Students
2%
2%
# White Students
179 Students
8,011 Students
% White Students
25%
37%
# Hawaiian Students
2 Students
19 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
168 Students
5,609 Students
% of Others Students
23%
26%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
7 extracurriculars
8 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
4 sports
7 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private schools in Rio Rancho, NM?
The top-ranked private schools in Rio Rancho, NM is St. Thomas Aquinas School.
How many private schools are located in Rio Rancho?
5 private schools are located in Rio Rancho.
How diverse are private schools in Rio Rancho?
Rio Rancho private schools are approximately 69% minority students, which is higher than the New Mexico private school average of 50%.
What percentage of students in Rio Rancho go to private school?
4% of all K-12 students in Rio Rancho are educated in private schools (compared to the NM state average of 7%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Rio Rancho?
80% of private schools in Rio Rancho are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).
Which private schools in Rio Rancho are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private schools in Rio Rancho include: Gospel Light Baptist Academy vs. St. Thomas Aquinas School

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