Cottonwood Classical Prep vs. Explore Academy
Should you attend Cottonwood Classical Prep or Explore Academy? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, test scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.
School Overview
School
Top Rankings
Cottonwood Classical Prep ranks among the top 20% of public schools in New Mexico for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Graduation Rate
Diversity
Explore Academy ranks among the top 20% of public schools in New Mexico for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Diversity
Overview
Serving 759 students in grades 6-12, Cottonwood Classical Prep ranks in the top 5% of all schools in New Mexico for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 5%, and reading proficiency is top 5%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 58% (which is higher than the New Mexico state average of 24%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 66% (which is higher than the New Mexico state average of 34%).
The student:teacher ratio of 15:1 is higher than the New Mexico state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the New Mexico state average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Serving 1,204 students in grades Kindergarten-12, Explore Academy ranks in the top 10% of all schools in New Mexico for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 47% (which is higher than the New Mexico state average of 24%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 56% (which is higher than the New Mexico state average of 34%).
The student:teacher ratio of 13:1 is lower than the New Mexico state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 55% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the New Mexico state average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Grades Offered
6-12
K-12
Total Students
759 students
1,204 students
![This chart displays total students of Cottonwood Classical Prep by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays total students of Cottonwood Classical Prep by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/total_students/138000/137729/cottonwood-classical-prep-chart-bl8Rp7t.png)
![This chart displays total students of Explore Academy by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays total students of Explore Academy by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images3.publicschoolreview.com/charts/total_students/149000/148969/explore-academy-chart-LjDKlh.png)
% Male | % Female
45% | 55%
51% | 49%
![This chart displays gender of Cottonwood Classical Prep This chart displays gender of Cottonwood Classical Prep](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/gender/138000/137729/cottonwood-classical-prep-chart-6fpSHr.png)
![This chart displays gender of Explore Academy This chart displays gender of Explore Academy](http://images3.publicschoolreview.com/charts/gender/149000/148969/explore-academy-chart-YyB0EA.png)
Total Classroom Teachers
51 teachers
93 teachers
![This chart displays the total teachers of Cottonwood Classical Prep by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the total teachers of Cottonwood Classical Prep by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/total_teachers/138000/137729/cottonwood-classical-prep-chart-7XhYCX.png)
![This chart displays the total teachers of Explore Academy by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the total teachers of Explore Academy by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images3.publicschoolreview.com/charts/total_teachers/149000/148969/explore-academy-chart-OV9pD0.png)
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
13:1
![This chart displays the student teacher ratio of Cottonwood Classical Prep and the public school average student teacher ratio of New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the student teacher ratio of Cottonwood Classical Prep and the public school average student teacher ratio of New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/teacher_student_ratio/138000/137729/cottonwood-classical-prep-chart-bn3yKRn.png)
![This chart displays the student teacher ratio of Explore Academy and the public school average student teacher ratio of New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the student teacher ratio of Explore Academy and the public school average student teacher ratio of New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images3.publicschoolreview.com/charts/teacher_student_ratio/149000/148969/explore-academy-chart-UBBiAt.png)
Test Scores
Overall Testing Rank
#24 out of 810 schools in NM
(Top 5%)
(Top 5%)
#67 out of 810 schools in NM
(Top 10%)
(Top 10%)
![This chart displays the overall school rank of Cottonwood Classical Prep, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the overall school rank of Cottonwood Classical Prep, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/overall_school_rank/138000/137729/cottonwood-classical-prep-chart-MLs9py.png)
![This chart displays the overall school rank of Explore Academy, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the overall school rank of Explore Academy, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images3.publicschoolreview.com/charts/overall_school_rank/149000/148969/explore-academy-chart-dK8PB4.png)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
58%
47%
![This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Cottonwood Classical Prep and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Cottonwood Classical Prep and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/math_percent/138000/137729/cottonwood-classical-prep-chart-0pXMa1.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Explore Academy and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Explore Academy and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images3.publicschoolreview.com/charts/math_percent/149000/148969/explore-academy-chart-bf6nXAX.png)
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
66%
56%
![This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Cottonwood Classical Prep and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of New Mexico by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Cottonwood Classical Prep and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of New Mexico by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/rla_percent/138000/137729/cottonwood-classical-prep-chart-niaZPF.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Explore Academy and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of New Mexico by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Explore Academy and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of New Mexico by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images3.publicschoolreview.com/charts/rla_percent/149000/148969/explore-academy-chart-B5MtJ6.png)
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
60%
54%
Graduation Rate
88%
70-74%
![This chart displays graduation rate of Cottonwood Classical Prep and public school graduation rate of New Mexico by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data. This chart displays graduation rate of Cottonwood Classical Prep and public school graduation rate of New Mexico by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/graduation_rate/138000/137729/cottonwood-classical-prep-chart-pfXWwz.png)
![This chart displays graduation rate of Explore Academy and public school graduation rate of New Mexico by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data. This chart displays graduation rate of Explore Academy and public school graduation rate of New Mexico by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.](http://images3.publicschoolreview.com/charts/graduation_rate/149000/148969/explore-academy-chart-h7YHdF.png)
Students by Grade
Students by Grade
![This chart displays the students of Cottonwood Classical Prep by grade. This chart displays the students of Cottonwood Classical Prep by grade.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/students_by_grade/138000/137729/cottonwood-classical-prep-chart-h8gokL.png)
![This chart displays the students of Explore Academy by grade. This chart displays the students of Explore Academy by grade.](http://images3.publicschoolreview.com/charts/students_by_grade/149000/148969/explore-academy-chart-brreHQC.png)
Kindergarten Students
-
65
Grade 1 Students
-
58
Grade 2 Students
-
70
Grade 3 Students
-
66
Grade 4 Students
-
59
Grade 5 Students
-
68
Grade 6 Students
131
155
Grade 7 Students
130
178
Grade 8 Students
129
176
Grade 9 Students
112
126
Grade 10 Students
114
85
Grade 11 Students
77
62
Grade 12 Students
66
36
Students by Ethnicity
% American Indian
1%
2%
![This chart displays the percentage of American Indian students in Cottonwood Classical Prep and percentage of American Indian public school students in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of American Indian students in Cottonwood Classical Prep and percentage of American Indian public school students in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/american_indian_ethnicity/138000/137729/cottonwood-classical-prep-chart-bfUw4ax.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of American Indian students in Explore Academy and percentage of American Indian public school students in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of American Indian students in Explore Academy and percentage of American Indian public school students in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images3.publicschoolreview.com/charts/american_indian_ethnicity/149000/148969/explore-academy-chart-SHG0Mn.png)
% Asian
4%
3%
![This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Cottonwood Classical Prep and the percentage of Asian public school students in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Cottonwood Classical Prep and the percentage of Asian public school students in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/asian_islander_ethnicity/138000/137729/cottonwood-classical-prep-chart-bwTkYT2.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Explore Academy and the percentage of Asian public school students in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Explore Academy and the percentage of Asian public school students in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images3.publicschoolreview.com/charts/asian_islander_ethnicity/149000/148969/explore-academy-chart-6et72Z.png)
% Hispanic
52%
45%
![This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Cottonwood Classical Prep and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Cottonwood Classical Prep and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/hispanic_students_ethnicity/138000/137729/cottonwood-classical-prep-chart-bapRfde.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Explore Academy and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Explore Academy and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images3.publicschoolreview.com/charts/hispanic_students_ethnicity/149000/148969/explore-academy-chart-SHSyjC.png)
% Black
2%
4%
![This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Cottonwood Classical Prep and the percentage of Black public school students in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Cottonwood Classical Prep and the percentage of Black public school students in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/black_students_ethnicity/138000/137729/cottonwood-classical-prep-chart-Ndj6ZT.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Explore Academy and the percentage of Black public school students in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Explore Academy and the percentage of Black public school students in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images3.publicschoolreview.com/charts/black_students_ethnicity/149000/148969/explore-academy-chart-2s9xzY.png)
% White
37%
45%
![This chart displays the percentage of White students in Cottonwood Classical Prep and the percentage of White public school students in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of White students in Cottonwood Classical Prep and the percentage of White public school students in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/white_students_ethnicity/138000/137729/cottonwood-classical-prep-chart-bcjnv43.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of White students in Explore Academy and the percentage of White public school students in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of White students in Explore Academy and the percentage of White public school students in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images3.publicschoolreview.com/charts/white_students_ethnicity/149000/148969/explore-academy-chart-6e7iUv.png)
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
4%
n/a
![This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in Cottonwood Classical Prep and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in Cottonwood Classical Prep and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/two_or_more_races_students_ethnicity/138000/137729/cottonwood-classical-prep-chart-7XFSjL.png)
n/a
Diversity Score
0.59
0.60
![This chart displays the diversity score of Cottonwood Classical Prep and the public school average diversity score of New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the diversity score of Cottonwood Classical Prep and the public school average diversity score of New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/diversity_score/138000/137729/cottonwood-classical-prep-chart-sRTiGF.png)
![This chart displays the diversity score of Explore Academy and the public school average diversity score of New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the diversity score of Explore Academy and the public school average diversity score of New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images3.publicschoolreview.com/charts/diversity_score/149000/148969/explore-academy-chart-j0W9uB.png)
Additional Information
Eligible for Free Lunch
6%
18%
![This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Cottonwood Classical Prep and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Cottonwood Classical Prep and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/freelunch_students/138000/137729/cottonwood-classical-prep-chart-fEZrKa.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Explore Academy and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Explore Academy and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images3.publicschoolreview.com/charts/freelunch_students/149000/148969/explore-academy-chart-4lXHqp.png)
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
1%
4%
![This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Cottonwood Classical Prep and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2019-20 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Cottonwood Classical Prep and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2019-20 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/reduced_pricelunch_students/138000/137729/cottonwood-classical-prep-chart-9RigTl.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Explore Academy and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Explore Academy and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in New Mexico by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images3.publicschoolreview.com/charts/reduced_pricelunch_students/149000/148969/explore-academy-chart-uLcnNE.png)