DEMING – Deming Public Schools is celebrating several major academic achievements following the release of the New Mexico Public Education Department’s 2025 NM Vistas report, which highlights growth in student performance and graduation success across the district.
One of the biggest honors went to Early College High School, which received the Spotlight School designation, placing it among the top 25 percent of schools in New Mexico. The school also recorded the highest growth in math proficiency among small schools in the state, posting a 30.3 percent increase.
Principal Bryan Simpson said the recognition reflects the dedication of both students and staff. He noted that many students at the school are the first in their families to attend college and the school looks forward to celebrating their next steps after graduation.
Deming High School also saw strong academic growth during the 2024–2025 school year. The school achieved a 12.5 percent increase in literacy proficiency, ranking among the top large schools in the state for literacy growth. The school was also recognized for math improvement, posting a 4.6 percent increase in proficiency.
At Bell Elementary, students exceeded statewide proficiency averages in both reading and math. The school reported 41 percent math proficiency compared to the statewide average of 24.6 percent, and 47 percent reading proficiency compared to the state average of 43.1 percent.
District leaders also pointed to continued success in long-term graduation rates. Deming Public Schools reported a five-year graduation rate of 85.8 percent, significantly higher than the state average of 78.3 percent. The district’s six-year graduation rate also exceeded the state average at 83.8 percent compared to 80 percent statewide.
Executive Director of Learning Services Melanie Rinehart said the district remains committed to supporting students through graduation, emphasizing that persistence and continued support play a key role in student success.
Additional areas of progress were also highlighted in the report. Memorial Elementary posted a 13.9 percent increase in literacy proficiency, while several other schools including Bataan Elementary, Columbus Elementary, Deming Intermediate School, and Ruben S. Torres Elementary showed student growth rates exceeding the state median.
Deming Public Schools also reported strong improvement in its overall four-year graduation rate. According to new data from the New Mexico Public Education Department, the district’s graduation rate for the Class of 2025 rose to 82.5 percent, a 5.9 percentage point increase from the previous year.
Deming High School played a major role in that improvement, achieving an 85.3 percent graduation rate and earning recognition as the fourth-highest growth in graduation rates among traditional high schools statewide.
Superintendent Nicholas Wohlgemuth said the gains represent more than just statistics, noting that the results reflect lives changed and futures secured through the work of educators, students, and families across the district.
Early College High School also continued its strong performance with a 96.4 percent graduation rate, while Deming Cesar Chavez Charter High School increased its graduation rate to 62.6 percent, nearly a 25-point increase since 2023.
District leaders say the results demonstrate a district-wide effort to strengthen academic support systems and ensure students remain on track to graduate and succeed in college, careers, and their communities.