Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Best Public Schools in La Plata County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best La Plata County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 22 public schools serving 7,074 students in La Plata County, CO (there are 8 private schools, serving 596 private students). 92% of all K-12 students in La Plata County, CO are educated in public schools (compared to the CO state average of 92%).
The top-ranked public schools in La Plata County, CO are Mountain Middle School, Park Elementary School and Durango High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
La Plata County, CO public schools have an average math proficiency score of 32% (versus the Colorado public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 45% statewide average). Schools in La Plata County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Colorado public schools.
Minority enrollment is 34% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Colorado public school average of 51% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in La Plata County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Mountain Middle School
Charter School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
108 West 31st Street
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 828-5600
Gr: 4-8 | 302 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #22.
Park Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
510 E. 6th Ave.
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-3718
Gr: PK-5 | 452 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #33.
Durango High School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2390 Main Avenue
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 259-1630
Gr: 9-12 | 1,352 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #44.
Animas High School
Charter School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
22 Osprey Way
Durango, CO 81302
(970) 247-2474
Gr: 9-12 | 249 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #55.
The Juniper School
Charter School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
225 Sawyer Dr
Durango, CO 81302
(970) 764-4185
Gr: K-8 | 171 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #66.
Bayfield High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
800 Co Rd 501
Bayfield, CO 81122
(970) 884-9521
Gr: 9-12 | 404 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #77.
Needham Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2425 West Third Avenue
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-4791
Gr: PK-5 | 367 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #88.
Riverview Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2900 Mesa Avenue
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-3862
Gr: PK-5 | 374 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #99.
Miller Middle School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2608 Junction Street
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-1418
Gr: 6-8 | 360 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1010.
Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
11274 Highway 140
Hesperus, CO 81326
(970) 588-3331
Gr: PK-5 | 116 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Animas Valley Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
373 Hermosa Meadows Road
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-0124
Gr: PK-5 | 185 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Florida Mesa Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
216 Highway 172
Durango, CO 81303
(970) 247-4250
Gr: PK-5 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1313.
Escalante Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
141 Baker Lane
Durango, CO 81303
(970) 247-9491
Gr: 6-8 | 461 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #1414.
Durango Big Picture High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
150 Tech Center Dr
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 259-0203
Gr: 9-12 | 99 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1515.
Bayfield Intermediate School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
720 E Oak
Bayfield, CO 81122
(970) 884-9571
Gr: 3-5 | 274 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #1616.
Bayfield Middle School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
615 E. Oak
Bayfield, CO 81122
(970) 884-9592
Gr: 6-8 | 283 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1717.
Ignacio High School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
315 Becker Street
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0515
Gr: 9-12 | 182 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Ignacio Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
85 County Road 320
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0650
Gr: K-5 | 279 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Ignacio Middle School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
315 Ignacio Street
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0600
Gr: 6-8 | 144 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #2020.
Sunnyside Elementary School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
75 Cr 218
Durango, CO 81303
(970) 259-5249
Gr: PK-5 | 107 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: n/an/a
Bayfield Primary School
511 East Mustang Lane
Bayfield, CO 81122
(970) 884-0881
Gr: PK-2 | 222 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: n/an/a
Ignacio Early Learning Program
535 Candelaria Drive
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0681
Gr: PK | 28 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 68%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in La Plata County, CO?
The top-ranked public schools in La Plata County, CO include Mountain Middle School, Park Elementary School and Durango High School.
How many public schools are located in La Plataunty?
24 public schools are located in La Plataunty.
What percentage of students in La Plataunty go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in La Plataunty are educated in public schools (compared to the CO state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in La Plataunty?
La Plataunty public schools minority enrollment is 34% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Colorado public schools average of 51% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in La Plataunty are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (CO):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
 Can Students Be Legally Prosecuted for School Fights?
Can Students Be Legally Prosecuted for School Fights?
Hello Budget Cuts, Goodbye Sports: The Threat to Athletics
Hello Budget Cuts, Goodbye Sports: The Threat to Athletics
 What are the Benefits of Public School Over Homeschooling?
What are the Benefits of Public School Over Homeschooling?
 Education Funding in America (2025 Update)
Education Funding in America (2025 Update)

More Articles

Public School Jobs
Opinion
Scholarships
Evaluating Public Schools
Local School Topics