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

Best Rio Rancho Private Elementary Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 4 private elementary schools serving 619 students in Rio Rancho, NM.
The top-ranked private elementary school in Rio Rancho, NM is St. Thomas Aquinas School.
The average acceptance rate is 99%, which is higher than the New Mexico private elementary school average acceptance rate of 85%.
75% of private elementary schools in Rio Rancho, NM are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Baptist).

Top-Ranked Rio Rancho Private Elementary 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
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
4 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
619 Students
19,036 Students
% Average Students of Color
69%
51%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
47 Teachers
1,858 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
10:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
10%
59%
Average Class Size
20 students
15 students

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$4,136
$9,029
Average % on Financial Aid
20%
29%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$800
$3,999
Average Acceptance Rate
99%
85%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.66
0.73
# American Indian Students
26 Students
1,778 Students
% American Indian Students
4%
10%
# Asian Students
23 Students
479 Students
% Asian Students
4%
3%
# Hispanic Students
309 Students
4,465 Students
% Hispanic Students
50%
26%
# Black Students
14 Students
357 Students
% Black Students
2%
2%
# White Students
175 Students
6,966 Students
% White Students
28%
40%
# Hawaiian Students
2 Students
19 Students
% Hawaiian Students
1%
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
70 Students
3,406 Students
% of Others Students
11%
19%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private elementary schools in Rio Rancho, NM?
The top-ranked private elementary schools in Rio Rancho, NM is St. Thomas Aquinas School.
How many private elementary schools are located in Rio Rancho?
4 private elementary schools are located in Rio Rancho.
What percentage of private elementary schools are religiously affiliated in Rio Rancho?
75% of private elementary schools in Rio Rancho are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Baptist).
Which private elementary schools in Rio Rancho are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private elementary schools in Rio Rancho include: Gospel Light Baptist Academy vs. St. Thomas Aquinas School

Recent Articles

Free Private Schools & Voucher Programs in 2025
Free Private Schools & Voucher Programs in 2025
Updated guide to free private schools and school voucher programs, 2025 policies, costs, equity issues, and how families access tuition support.
Social Emotional Learning 2025: Policy, Practice and Outcomes
Social Emotional Learning 2025: Policy, Practice and Outcomes
Updated 2025 review of social emotional learning in schools, research outcomes, key trends, challenges and future paths for parents and educators.
Private School Admissions for Siblings: Costs and Timing
Private School Admissions for Siblings: Costs and Timing
Learn how private school admissions for siblings affect costs, discounts, and timing strategies for families planning multiple enrollments.