For the 2025 school year, there are 18 public elementary schools serving 4,736 students in La Plata County, CO.
The top ranked public elementary schools in La Plata County, CO are Mountain Middle School, Park Elementary School and Southwest Colorado Eschool. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
La Plata County, CO public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 31% (versus the Colorado public elementary school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 43% statewide average). Elementary schools in La Plata County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Colorado public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 34% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Colorado public elementary school average of 50% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in La Plata County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Mountain Middle School
Charter School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
108 West 31st Street
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 828-5600
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 828-5600
Gr: 4-8 | 301 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #22.
Park Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
510 E. 6th Ave.
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-3718
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-3718
Gr: PK-5 | 439 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #33.
Southwest Colorado Eschool
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
701 Camino Del Rio Suite 220
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 403-0946
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 403-0946
Gr: 6-12 | 45 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #44.
The Juniper School
Charter School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
225 Sawyer Dr
Durango, CO 81302
(970) 764-4185
Durango, CO 81302
(970) 764-4185
Gr: K-8 | 169 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #55.
Needham Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2425 West Third Avenue
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-4791
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-4791
Gr: PK-5 | 347 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #66.
Riverview Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2900 Mesa Avenue
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-3862
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-3862
Gr: PK-5 | 413 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #77.
Miller Middle School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2608 Junction Street
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-1418
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-1418
Gr: 6-8 | 398 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #88.
Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
11274 Highway 140
Hesperus, CO 81326
(970) 588-3331
Hesperus, CO 81326
(970) 588-3331
Gr: PK-5 | 106 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Animas Valley Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
373 Hermosa Meadows Road
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-0124
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-0124
Gr: PK-5 | 183 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Florida Mesa Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
216 Highway 172
Durango, CO 81303
(970) 247-4250
Durango, CO 81303
(970) 247-4250
Gr: PK-5 | 286 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #1111.
Escalante Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
141 Baker Lane
Durango, CO 81303
(970) 247-9491
Durango, CO 81303
(970) 247-9491
Gr: 6-8 | 511 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1212.
Bayfield Intermediate School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
720 E Oak
Bayfield, CO 81122
(970) 884-9571
Bayfield, CO 81122
(970) 884-9571
Gr: 3-5 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1313.
Bayfield Middle School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
615 E. Oak
Bayfield, CO 81122
(970) 884-9592
Bayfield, CO 81122
(970) 884-9592
Gr: 6-8 | 285 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Ignacio Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
85 County Road 320
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0650
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0650
Gr: K-5 | 288 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Ignacio Middle School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
315 Ignacio Street
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0600
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0600
Gr: 6-8 | 155 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #1616.
Sunnyside Elementary School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
75 Cr 218
Durango, CO 81303
(970) 259-5249
Durango, CO 81303
(970) 259-5249
Gr: PK-5 | 108 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: n/an/a
511 East Mustang Lane
Bayfield, CO 81122
(970) 884-0881
Bayfield, CO 81122
(970) 884-0881
Gr: PK-2 | 249 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: n/an/a
201 East 12th Street
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-5411
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-5411
Gr: K-12 | 156 students Student-teacher ratio: 156:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
La Plata County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Durango Second Chance (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
301 East 12th Street
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 385-4354
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 385-4354
Gr: 6-12 | 88 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
The Excel Charter School (Closed 2008)
Charter School
215 East 12th Street
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 259-0203
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 259-0203
Gr: 6-12 | 111 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Ignacio Academy (Closed 2012)
Alternative School
315 Ignacio St
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0515
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0515
Gr: 9-12 | 36 students Student-teacher ratio: 36:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Pine River Valley High School (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
535 Candelaria Street
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0681
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0681
Gr: 9-12 | 67 students Student-teacher ratio: 34:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Robert Denier Youth Services Center (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
720 Turner Drive
Durango, CO 81303
(970) 375-2781
Durango, CO 81303
(970) 375-2781
Gr: 5-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public elementary schools in La Plata County, CO?
The top ranked public elementary schools in La Plata County, CO include Mountain Middle School, Park Elementary School and Southwest Colorado Eschool.
How many public elementary schools are located in La Plataunty?
18 public elementary schools are located in La Plataunty.
What is the racial composition of students in La Plataunty?
La Plataunty public elementary schools minority enrollment is 34% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Colorado public elementary schools average of 50% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in La Plataunty are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in La Plataunty include: Escalante Middle School vs. Miller Middle School, Miller Middle School vs. Escalante Middle School, Needham Elementary School vs. Park Elementary School
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