For the 2025 school year, there are 24 public schools serving 7,074 students in La Plata County, CO (there are 9 private schools, serving 676 private students). 91% 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 30% (versus the Colorado public school average of 32%), 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 50% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in La Plata County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Mountain Middle School
Charter School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
108 West 31st Street
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 828-5600
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 828-5600
Grades: 4-8
| 301 students
Rank: #22.
Park Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | 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
Grades: PK-5
| 439 students
Rank: #33.
Durango High School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2390 Main Avenue
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 259-1630
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 259-1630
Grades: 9-12
| 1,343 students
Rank: #44.
Southwest Colorado Eschool
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
701 Camino Del Rio Suite 220
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 403-0946
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 403-0946
Grades: 6-12
| 45 students
Rank: #55.
Animas High School
Charter School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
271 Twin Buttes Ave
Durango, CO 81302
(970) 247-2474
Durango, CO 81302
(970) 247-2474
Grades: 9-12
| 234 students
Rank: #66.
Bayfield High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
800 Co Rd 501
Bayfield, CO 81122
(970) 884-9521
Bayfield, CO 81122
(970) 884-9521
Grades: 9-12
| 422 students
Rank: #77.
The Juniper School
Charter School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
225 Sawyer Dr
Durango, CO 81302
(970) 764-4185
Durango, CO 81302
(970) 764-4185
Grades: K-8
| 169 students
Rank: #88.
Durango Big Picture High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
150 Tech Center Dr
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 259-0203
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 259-0203
Grades: 9-12
| 91 students
Rank: #99.
Needham Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | 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
Grades: PK-5
| 347 students
Rank: #1010.
Riverview Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2900 Mesa Avenue
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-3862
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-3862
Grades: PK-5
| 413 students
Rank: #1111.
Miller Middle School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2608 Junction Street
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-1418
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-1418
Grades: 6-8
| 398 students
Rank: #1212.
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
Grades: PK-5
| 286 students
Rank: #1313.
Escalante Middle School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
141 Baker Lane
Durango, CO 81303
(970) 247-9491
Durango, CO 81303
(970) 247-9491
Grades: 6-8
| 511 students
Rank: #1414.
Animas Valley Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | 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
Grades: PK-5
| 183 students
Rank: #1515.
Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
11274 Highway 140
Hesperus, CO 81326
(970) 588-3331
Hesperus, CO 81326
(970) 588-3331
Grades: PK-5
| 106 students
Rank: #1616.
Bayfield Intermediate School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
720 E Oak
Bayfield, CO 81122
(970) 884-9571
Bayfield, CO 81122
(970) 884-9571
Grades: 3-5
| 297 students
Rank: #1717.
Sunnyside Elementary School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
75 Cr 218
Durango, CO 81303
(970) 259-5249
Durango, CO 81303
(970) 259-5249
Grades: PK-5
| 108 students
Rank: #1818.
Ignacio Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
85 County Road 320
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0650
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0650
Grades: K-5
| 288 students
Rank: #1919.
Ignacio High School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
315 Becker Street
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0515
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0515
Grades: 9-12
| 206 students
Rank: #2020.
Bayfield Middle School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
615 E. Oak
Bayfield, CO 81122
(970) 884-9592
Bayfield, CO 81122
(970) 884-9592
Grades: 6-8
| 285 students
Rank: #2121.
Ignacio Middle School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
315 Ignacio Street
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0600
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0600
Grades: 6-8
| 155 students
Rank: n/an/a
511 East Mustang Lane
Bayfield, CO 81122
(970) 884-0881
Bayfield, CO 81122
(970) 884-0881
Grades: PK-2
| 249 students
Rank: n/an/a
201 East 12th Street
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-5411
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-5411
Grades: K-12
| 156 students
Rank: n/an/a
535 Candelaria Drive
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0681
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0681
Grades: PK
| 42 students
La Plata County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Durango Second Chance (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
301 East 12th Street
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 385-4354
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 385-4354
Grades: 6-12
| 88 students
The Excel Charter School (Closed 2008)
Charter School
215 East 12th Street
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 259-0203
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 259-0203
Grades: 6-12
| 111 students
Ignacio Academy (Closed 2012)
Alternative School
315 Ignacio St
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0515
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0515
Grades: 9-12
| 36 students
Pine River Valley High School (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
535 Candelaria Street
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0681
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0681
Grades: 9-12
| 67 students
Robert Denier Youth Services Center (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
720 Turner Drive
Durango, CO 81303
(970) 375-2781
Durango, CO 81303
(970) 375-2781
Grades: 5-12
| n/a students
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?
91% 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 50% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in La Plataunty are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in La Plataunty include: Animas High School vs. Durango High School, Bayfield High School vs. Durango High School, Ignacio High School vs. Bayfield High School
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