Total enrollment
6,752
-2,534 (-27%) vs SY 2020-21
La Plata County
Colorado · Public K-12
Public K-12 schools in La Plata County number 24 per the most recent NCES data, averaging about 313 students per school. The level mix is 12 elementary, 5 middle, and 6 high schools.
4-year change in La Plata County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
23
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How La Plata County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Colorado | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 39.8% | #12 of 34 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 7,504 | #14 of 41 | #995 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 24 | #13 of 41 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 12.7:1 | #6 of 41 | #800 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 38.8% | #29 of 41 | #2,151 of 2,526 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
La Plata County school rankings
Residents
56,331
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
24
5 districts
Enrollment
7,504
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$86,056
Above Colorado avg
Free/reduced lunch
38.8%
Below Colorado avg
Elementary
12
2,868 students
Middle
5
1,550 students
High
6
2,334 students
Combined / other
1
752 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Durango School District No. 9-R
5,089 students · 5 districts in La Plata County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of La Plata County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
49.3%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
7.9%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.8%
civilian labor
Median age
43
17.5% under 18
Test scores in La Plata County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 15 schools ranked. Colorado state average: 44.9%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Mountain Middle School· 74.2%
- Riverview Elementary School· 63.5%
- Park Elementary School· 60.1%
- Miller Middle School· 52.1%
- Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School· 50.0%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Ignacio Elementary School· 25.5%
- Sunnyside Elementary School· 31.6%
- Florida Mesa Elementary School· 34.5%
- Bayfield Middle School· 35.0%
- Ignacio Middle School· 37.0%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durango High School | Durango | High | 09-12 | 1,352 | · |
| Colorado Connections Academy @ Durango | Durango | Combined | KG-12 | 752 | · |
| Escalante Middle School | Durango | Middle | 06-08 | 461 | · |
| Park Elementary School | Durango | Elementary | PK-05 | 452 | · |
| Bayfield High School | Bayfield | High | 09-12 | 404 | · |
| Riverview Elementary School | Durango | Elementary | PK-05 | 374 | · |
| Needham Elementary School | Durango | Elementary | PK-05 | 367 | · |
| Miller Middle School | Durango | Middle | 06-08 | 360 | · |
| Mountain Middle School | Durango | Middle | 04-08 | 302 | · |
| Florida Mesa Elementary School | Durango | Elementary | PK-05 | 293 | · |
| Bayfield Middle School | Bayfield | Middle | 06-08 | 283 | · |
| Ignacio Elementary School | Ignacio | Elementary | KG-05 | 279 | · |
| Bayfield Intermediate School | Bayfield | Elementary | 03-05 | 274 | · |
| Animas High School | Durango | High | 09-12 | 249 | · |
| Bayfield Primary School | Bayfield | Elementary | PK-02 | 222 | · |
| Animas Valley Elementary School | Durango | Elementary | PK-05 | 185 | · |
| Ignacio High School | Ignacio | High | 09-12 | 182 | · |
| The Juniper School | Durango | Elementary | KG-08 | 171 | · |
| Ignacio Middle School | Ignacio | Middle | 06-08 | 144 | · |
| Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School | Hesperus | Elementary | PK-05 | 116 | · |
| Sunnyside Elementary School | Durango | Elementary | PK-05 | 107 | · |
| Durango Big Picture High School | Durango | High | 09-12 | 99 | · |
| Southwest Colorado eSchool | Durango | High | 06-12 | 48 | · |
| Ignacio Early Learning Program | Ignacio | Elementary | PK-PK | 28 | · |
Cities in La Plata County
About La Plata County
La Plata County is a compact Colorado county of about 56,331 residents, home to 24 public schools and roughly 7,504 students.
Looking at the wider area, census numbers show median household income runs near $86,056, about 49% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and roughly 8% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 11% higher than the Colorado median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, La Plata County comprises 12 elementary schools (2,868 students), 5 middle schools (1,550), 6 high schools (2,334), and 1 combined or other schools.
Durango School District No. 9-R dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 5,089 students on its own.
Looking at the last 4 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 6,752 students, contracted 27% from the 9,286 reported in SY 2020-21.
On allk12, the community for La Plata County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Members of the local community share what they see day-to-day.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data