Best Schools in La Plata County, CO
La Plata County, CO has 29 public schools (6 high, 5 middle, 15 elementary) serving 8,443 students. On average they score 41% on state proficiency tests against a projected 35%, so schools in La Plata County exceed expectations. Rankings below compare each school’s actual results with the projection for its socioeconomic context.
Best High Schools in La Plata County, CO
The top high schools in La Plata County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Southwest Colorado Eschool
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
San Juan Boces • Public • Grades 6 - 12 • 40 Students
2. Durango High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Durango School District No. 9-r • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1369 Students
3. Animas High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
State Charter School Institute • Charter • Grades 9 - 12 • 206 Students
4. Bayfield High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Bayfield School District No. 10jt-r • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 423 Students
5. Ignacio High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Ignacio School District No. 11jt • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 201 Students
6. Durango Big Picture High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Durango School District No. 9-r • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 86 Students
Best Middle Schools in La Plata County, CO
The top middle schools in La Plata County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Mountain Middle School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
State Charter School Institute • Charter • Grades 4 - 8 • 301 Students
2. Miller Middle School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Durango School District No. 9-r • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 415 Students
3. Escalante Middle School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Durango School District No. 9-r • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 534 Students
4. Ignacio Middle School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Ignacio School District No. 11jt • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 150 Students
5. Bayfield Middle School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Bayfield School District No. 10jt-r • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 294 Students
Best Elementary Schools in La Plata County, CO
The top elementary schools in La Plata County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Riverview Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Durango School District No. 9-r • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 439 Students
2. Park Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Durango School District No. 9-r • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 425 Students
3. The Juniper School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Durango School District No. 9-r • Charter • Grades KG - 8 • 162 Students
4. Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Durango School District No. 9-r • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 98 Students
5. Bayfield Intermediate School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Bayfield School District No. 10jt-r • Public • Grades 3 - 5 • 295 Students
6. Needham Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Durango School District No. 9-r • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 388 Students
7. Animas Valley Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Durango School District No. 9-r • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 188 Students
8. Florida Mesa Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Durango School District No. 9-r • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 278 Students
9. Ignacio Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Ignacio School District No. 11jt • Public • Grades KG - 5 • 290 Students
10. Sunnyside Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Durango School District No. 9-r • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 106 Students
Education & Community Snapshot in La Plata County, CO
County-level factors that shape the learning environment around local schools.
Community Factors
La Plata County, CO has a total population of 55,638 with 22% of that population attending schools. The adult high school graduation rate is 96%, and 48% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Students in La Plata County, CO
K-12 Students
High School Graduates
Adults 25+ with HS diplomas
College Graduates
Adults 25+ with a Bachelor’s degree or higher
Demographics statistics provided by Best Neighborhood La Plata County, CO.
Safety
Crime Grades summarize reported incidents per 1,000 residents. Use them as neighborhood context, not a school rating.
Overall Crime Grade
43.76 per 1,000 Residents
Violent Crime Grade
6.55 per 1,000 Residents
Property Crime Grade
37.21 per 1,000 Residents
Crime statistics provided by CrimeGrade in La Plata County, CO.
Connectivity
Connectivity influences learning at home. We summarize internet infrastructure, typical download speed, and a digital connectivity index for La Plata County, CO.
ISP Report Card
Internet Infrastructure Grade
Average Download Speed
Speed Most Residents Can Get
Digital Connectivity Index
ISP Connectivity Demand Report
To read more about these statistics, please visit La Plata County, CO Internet Health Assessment.
Questions About Schools in La Plata County, CO
How many schools are in La Plata County, CO?
La Plata County, CO has 29 public schools: 6 high schools, 5 middle schools and 15 elementary schools, serving 8,443 students in total.
How do schools in La Plata County perform on state tests?
On average, 29 schools in La Plata County score 41% proficient on state assessments. Given the socioeconomic context of their students we project 35%, so on average schools in La Plata County exceed expectations.
How does SchoolGrade rank the best schools in La Plata County?
Every public school gets a SchoolGrade from A+ to F based on the share of students at or above the state proficiency bar. The Impact Grade compares that result with what we would expect given the school’s student and community context, so schools that outperform their circumstances stand out. Schools cannot pay to change a grade. Read the full methodology.
Best Schools in Cities Near La Plata County, CO
Explore nearby cities to widen your school search.
- Actual: 34%
- Projected: 29%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 34%
- Projected: 31%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 27%
- Projected: 31%
- Impact Grade: Doesn't Meet Expectations
- Actual: 53%
- Projected: 35%
- Impact Grade: Greatly Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 44%
- Projected: 28%
- Impact Grade: Greatly Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 31%
- Projected: 24%
- Impact Grade: Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 28%
- Projected: 31%
- Impact Grade: Doesn't Meet Expectations
- Actual: 43%
- Projected: 23%
- Impact Grade: Greatly Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 37%
- Projected: 26%
- Impact Grade: Greatly Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 23%
- Projected: 15%
- Impact Grade: Exceeds Expectations
Cities, towns and school districts in La Plata County
4 places in La Plata County with graded public schools. Each link opens that place's ranked schools.
Cities and towns (4)
School districts (3)
- Durango School District No. 9-R (13 schools)
- Bayfield School District No. 10Jt-R (4 schools)
- Ignacio School District No. 11Jt (3 schools)