This study examined vocabulary acquisition of elementary students in grades kindergarten through fifth in one rural New Mexico school. The school had 277 students. Hispanic students comprised nearly 80% of the student body. All students received free lunch and breakfast. The 65 students who participated in the study were assessed using the Montgomery Assessment of Vocabulary Acquisition (MAVA). This new assessment, published in 2008, tests receptive and expressive vocabulary utilizing the three-tier vocabulary model introduced by Beck, McKeown and Kucan (2001). The study assessed each student for proficiency in identifying and using tier-I, tier-II and tier-III words. Hispanic and non-Hispanic participants were compared with respect to their tier-I, tier-II, and tier-III proficiency using analysis of covariance with three candidate covariate factors: participant grade in school, gender, and caregiver level of education. Results of the study demonstrated that Hispanic participants and non-Hispanic students performed equally well in tier-I expressive and tier-II and tier-III expressive and receptive vocabulary. Caregiver level of education showed statistical significance for tier-I expressive and tier-II receptive vocabulary results. Participant grade level was found to be statistically significant in both expressive and receptive scores for all three-tier levels. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]