Serving 252 students in grades Prekindergarten-8, Paonia K-8 ranks in the top 20% of all schools in Colorado for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 30%, and reading proficiency is top 30%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 45-49% (which is higher than the Colorado state average of 33%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 60-64% (which is higher than the Colorado state average of 45%).
The student:teacher ratio of 15:1 is equal to the Colorado state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Colorado state average of 50% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: Prekindergarten-8
- Enrollment: 252 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 15:1
- Minority Enrollment: 17%
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 20% in CO
- Math Proficiency: 45-49% (Top 30%)
- Reading Proficiency: 60-64% (Top 20%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CO Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Paonia K-8 ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Colorado for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
School Overview
Paonia K-8's student population of 252 students has grown by 20% over five school years.
The teacher population of 17 teachers has grown by 54% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-8
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
252 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
17 teachers
School Rankings
Paonia K-8 ranks within the top 20% of all 1,779 schools in Colorado (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Paonia K-8 is 0.30, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.62. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#309 out of 1779 schools
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(22-23)45-49%
33%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
60-64%
45%
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
American Indian
1%
1%
Asian
n/a
3%
Hispanic
11%
36%
Black
n/a
5%
White
83%
50%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
5%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Eligible for Free Lunch
47%
39%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
11%
6%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CO Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Paonia K-8's ranking?
Paonia K-8 is ranked #309 out of 1,779 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in Colorado.
What schools are Paonia K-8 often compared to?
Paonia K-8is often viewed alongside schools like Hotchkiss Elementary School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
45-49% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 33% CO state average), while 60-64% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 45% CO state average).
How many students attend Paonia K-8?
252 students attend Paonia K-8.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
83% of Paonia K-8 students are White, 11% of students are Hispanic, 5% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Paonia K-8?
Paonia K-8 has a student ration of 15:1, which is equal to the Colorado state average of 15:1.
What grades does Paonia K-8 offer ?
Paonia K-8 offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-8 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Paonia K-8 part of?
Paonia K-8 is part of Delta County Joint District No. 50 School District.
School Reviews
Review Paonia K-8. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
