For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public preschools serving 2,173 students in La Plata County, CO.
The top ranked public preschools in La Plata County, CO are Park Elementary School, Needham Elementary School and Riverview Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
La Plata County, CO public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 39% (versus the Colorado public pre school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 42% statewide average). Pre schools in La Plata County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Colorado public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Colorado public preschool average of 52% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in La Plata County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #5 - 65. - 6.
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: #5 - 65. - 6.
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: #77.
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
535 Candelaria Drive
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0681
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0681
Gr: PK | 42 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
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 preschools in La Plata County, CO?
The top ranked public preschools in La Plata County, CO include Park Elementary School, Needham Elementary School and Riverview Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in La Plataunty?
9 public preschools are located in La Plataunty.
What is the racial composition of students in La Plataunty?
La Plataunty public preschools minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Colorado public preschools average of 52% (majority Hispanic).
Which public preschools in La Plataunty are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in La Plataunty include: Needham Elementary School vs. Park Elementary School, Bayfield Primary School vs. Florida Mesa Elementary School, Riverview Elementary School vs. Park Elementary School
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