Private School Review - Established 2003

Rio Rancho Private Schools

For the 2026-27 school year, there are 5 private schools serving 729 students in Rio Rancho, NM, 4% of all K-12 students in Rio Rancho, NM are educated in private schools versus public schools (compared to the NM state average of 7%).
The average acceptance rate is 99%, which is higher than the New Mexico private school average acceptance rate of 88%.
80% of private schools in Rio Rancho, NM are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).

Quick Facts (26-27)

Quick Facts (26-27)

Top Ranked Rio Rancho Private Schools (2026-27)

St. Thomas Aquinas School Photo
St. Thomas Aquinas School
Gr: PK-8 | 391 students
Avg. class size: 25 students
Sports: 7 | Extracurriculars: 7
Catholic
1100 Hood Road SE
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
(505) 892-3221
(4)
View Profile
Map of Covenant School Of Rio Rancho
Covenant School Of Rio Rancho
Gr: NS-PK | 110 students
Avg. class size: 10 students
Sports: 1
Daycare / Preschool (Christian)
1601 Barbara Loop Se
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
(505) 994-4600
View Profile
Map of Gospel Light Baptist Academy
Gospel Light Baptist Academy
Gr: K-12 | 169 students
Avg. class size: 14 students
Baptist
1500 Southern Blvd SE
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
(505) 289-2130
View Profile
Map of Leap International Montessori School
Leap International Montessori School
Gr: PK-4 | 35 students
Montessori School
1598 Sara Rd
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
(505) 994-9433
View Profile
Map of Living Word Christian Academy
Living Word Christian Academy
Gr: 1-12 | 24 students
Alternative School (Pentecostal)
1901 17th Ave Ne
Rio Rancho, NM 87144
(505) 892-7378
View Profile

Rio Rancho, NM Private School Trends

5
Private Schools
729
Students
$4,136
Avg. Tuition
16
Avg. Class Size
69%
Students of Color
11:1
Student-Teacher Ratio
Download town snapshot: CSV | XML | JSON Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission.
Enrollment & Diversity
Category
This Town (Rio Rancho)
This State (NM)
# Schools
5 Schools
186 Schools
# Students
729 Students
23,468 Students
% Students of Color
69%
52%
0.71
0.74
Show more data/charts: racial breakdown
# 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
<1%
<1%
# Others Students
168 Students
5,616 Students
% of Others Students
23%
26%
All Ethnic Groups
Academics
# Teachers
67 Teachers
2,350 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
10:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
10%
58%
Average Class Size
16 students
15 students
Tuition & Aid
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$4,136
$8,484
Average % on Financial Aid
20%
33%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$800
$5,262
Admissions & Athletics
Average Acceptance Rate
99%
88%
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 52%.
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

Recent Articles

How Much Unstructured Time Does Your Child Have?
How Much Unstructured Time Does Your Child Have?
Learn why unstructured time matters during a private school day, how recess, lunch, free periods, and transitions affect students, and what parents should evaluate before enrolling.
What Happens When Bullying Continues Outside School?
What Happens When Bullying Continues Outside School?
Learn how private schools may respond when bullying continues through social media, texts, gaming, and off-campus activities, and what parents should document, report, and expect.
How Private Schools Handle Food Allergies
How Private Schools Handle Food Allergies
Learn how private schools manage food allergies, from emergency plans and epinephrine access to cafeteria procedures, staff training, field trips, and the questions parents should verify before enrolling their child.
Area schools map

Filter Schools

School Level
Must Offer Grade
Show more
Gender
School Focus
Religious Affiliation
ADD/ADHD Support
Summer Program

Quick Links

SCHOOL SEARCH TOOLS:
SCHOOL BY TYPE (NM):
OPEN-HOUSES & JOBS:
PUBLIC & BOARDING SCHOOLS:
PRIVATE SCHOOL DATA:

Most Popular Articles

New Mexico Private Schools By Tuition Cost
New Mexico Private Schools By Tuition Cost
 Private School vs Public School: Key Differences (2026 Guide)
Private School vs Public School: Key Differences (2026 Guide)
A Parent’s Guide to Private School Entrance Exams
A Parent’s Guide to Private School Entrance Exams

More Articles

Pathways to Elite Colleges
Advanced Learning Frameworks
Premier School Models
Global Educator Empowerment
Timeless School Insights