Salida Early Childhood Center

Salida Early Childhood Center is one of the tiny primary schools in SALIDA, Colorado, one of the schools within Salida School District No. R-32, with 74 students on its rolls from grade pre-K. Enrollment runs roughly 80% smaller than the state mean of about 379.

Salida School District No. R-32 comprises 6 schools with combined enrollment of 1,351 students; Salida Early Childhood Center is among them.

In terms of who attends, Salida Early Childhood Center lists that White students make up the majority at 68%; the rest reads as 30% Hispanic. By comparison, Chaffee County as a whole is about 87% White, so the school skews noticeably less White than its surroundings.

Looking at the economic backdrop, On paper, Salida Early Childhood Center has 11 full-time-equivalent teachers, translating to a class-load average of around 6.7:1. The state averages around 16.6:1, so this campus is tighter than the state norm typical.

In the broader community, ACS estimates for Chaffee County put median household income runs about $84,132, about 47% of the adult population holds a bachelor's degree or above, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 5%. Across Chaffee County's 12 public schools (combined enrollment of about 2,462 students), Salida Early Childhood Center is one campus in the mix.

Nearest neighbor: Salida Middle School, around 0.1 miles off. 6 of the 8 nearest public schools sit inside a five-mile radius.

Geographically, the school is in a small-town area.

Trend over the last 7 years. Salida Early Childhood Center's enrollment has rose 25% since 2018, when it stood at 59 (now 74). Hispanic enrollment moved from 12% to 30% across the same window. Class-load math has fell: from 12.1:1 in 2018 to 6.7:1 in 2025.

On the community side, posts here usually surface around pickup logistics, teacher feedback, and after-school programs. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.