For the 2025-26 school year, there are 13 public preschools serving 4,302 students in Lea County, NM.
The top ranked public preschools in Lea County, NM are Mills Elementary School, Tatum Elementary School and Stone Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lea County, NM public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 27% (versus the New Mexico public pre school average of 26%), and reading proficiency score of 28% (versus the 31% statewide average). Pre schools in Lea County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of New Mexico public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 81% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New Mexico public preschool average of 82% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Lea County (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Mills Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
200 West Copper
Hobbs, NM 88240
(575) 433-2400
Hobbs, NM 88240
(575) 433-2400
Gr: PK-5 | 406 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #22.
Tatum Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
115 West 3rd St
Tatum, NM 88267
(575) 398-4455
Tatum, NM 88267
(575) 398-4455
Gr: PK-6 | 141 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #33.
Stone Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1015 Calle Sur
Hobbs, NM 88240
(575) 433-2500
Hobbs, NM 88240
(575) 433-2500
Gr: PK-5 | 409 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #44.
Will Rogers Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
300 East Clinton
Hobbs, NM 88240
(575) 433-2200
Hobbs, NM 88240
(575) 433-2200
Gr: PK-5 | 316 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Jal Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
307 East Utah
Jal, NM 88252
(575) 395-2101
Jal, NM 88252
(575) 395-2101
Gr: PK-5 | 272 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Taylor Elementary School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1520 N. Breckon
Hobbs, NM 88240
(575) 433-2000
Hobbs, NM 88240
(575) 433-2000
Gr: PK-5 | 393 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #77.
Booker T. Washington Elementary School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1200 East Humble
Hobbs, NM 88240
(575) 433-2100
Hobbs, NM 88240
(575) 433-2100
Gr: PK-5 | 174 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #88.
Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1200 West Park
Hobbs, NM 88240
(575) 433-1700
Hobbs, NM 88240
(575) 433-1700
Gr: PK-5 | 354 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #99.
Southern Heights Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
101 East Texas
Hobbs, NM 88240
(575) 433-1900
Hobbs, NM 88240
(575) 433-1900
Gr: PK-5 | 445 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #1010.
Edison Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
501 East Gypsy
Hobbs, NM 88240
(575) 433-1600
Hobbs, NM 88240
(575) 433-1600
Gr: PK-5 | 228 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Mettie Jordan Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1715 Avenue M
Eunice, NM 88231
(575) 394-2440
Eunice, NM 88231
(575) 394-2440
Gr: PK-5 | 339 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Murray Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
510 N Dal Paso St
Hobbs, NM 88240
(575) 433-2700
Hobbs, NM 88240
(575) 433-2700
Gr: PK-5 | 443 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: n/an/a
1000 South First
Lovington, NM 88260
(575) 739-2670
Lovington, NM 88260
(575) 739-2670
Gr: PK-K | 382 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Lea County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Alternative High School (Closed 2007)
Alternative School
P.o. Box 1030
Hobbs, NM 88240
(505) 397-3241
Hobbs, NM 88240
(505) 397-3241
Gr: 9-12 | 108 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
950 E. Snyder
Hobbs, NM 88240
(505) 433-0100
Hobbs, NM 88240
(505) 433-0100
Gr: PK | 25 students Minority enrollment: 72%
2107 North Kingley Dr
Hobbs, NM 88240
(505) 433-0100
Hobbs, NM 88240
(505) 433-0100
Gr: PK | 69 students Student-teacher ratio: 35:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Lea Cy. Detention Cn High School (Closed 2007)
Alternative School
310 North Fifth St
Lovington, NM 88260
(505) 739-2200
Lovington, NM 88260
(505) 739-2200
Gr: 8-11 | 12 students Minority enrollment: 42%
1001 Eagle Road
Jal, NM 56412
(859) 674-1236
Jal, NM 56412
(859) 674-1236
Gr: 3-7 | 127 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public preschools in Lea County, NM?
The top ranked public preschools in Lea County, NM include Mills Elementary School, Tatum Elementary School and Stone Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Lea County?
13 public preschools are located in Lea County.
What is the racial composition of students in Lea County?
Lea County public preschools minority enrollment is 81% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New Mexico public preschools average of 82% (majority Hispanic).
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