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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best La Plata County Public Elementary Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 16 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 The Juniper School. 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 51% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Elementary 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.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #8 - 98. - 9.
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: #8 - 98. - 9.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #13 - 1413. - 14.
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: #13 - 1413. - 14.
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: #1515.
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%

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 The Juniper School.
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 51% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in La Plataunty are often viewed compared to one another?

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