Best Schools in Carbondale, Colorado
8 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 High
Choosing a school in Carbondale?
Use this page to compare every school in Carbondale by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Carbondale Middle School
Middle · Roaring Fork School District No. Re-1. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Bridges
High · Roaring Fork School District No. Re-1. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Colorado Rocky Mountain School
High. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Carbondale for 2026 are Carbondale Middle School (8.1/10), Bridges (7.3/10), and Colorado Rocky Mountain School (7.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 8 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
8
6 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$835,000
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
8
6 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$835,000
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Carbondale
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (8 of 8). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carbondale Middle School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Bridges | 7.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Colorado Rocky Mountain School | 7.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Roaring Fork High School | 7.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork | 6.6 / 10 |
| 6 | Crystal River Elementary School | 5.0 / 10 |
| 7 | Carbondale Community Charter School | 4.8 / 10 |
| 8 | Ross Montessori School | 3.3 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.2/10
- Median household income
- $98,549
- Median home value
- $835,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 50%
- Avg commute
- 29 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 68%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Carbondale compares
Colorado rank
#53 of 125
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.0
below Colorado avg (6.2)
Median household income
$99k
114% of Colorado median
Schools in this city
8
About Schools in Carbondale, Colorado
Carbondale, Colorado is home to 8 schools, including 6 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.2 out of 10, schools in Carbondale show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Carbondale is Carbondale Middle School with a composite score of 8.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Carbondale is served by 2 school districts: State Charter School Institute, Roaring Fork School District No. Re-1. These districts collectively serve 25,434 students.
Carbondale's community shows 50% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $98,549. The poverty rate in the area is 11.3%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 447 students · Pre-K–4th | 5.0 | ||
| 2 | 140 students · Kindergarten–8th | 4.8 | ||
| 3 | 213 students · Kindergarten–8th | 3.3 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 159 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.6 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 354 students · 5th–8th | 8.1 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 76 students · 9th–12th | 7.3 | ||
| 2 | 453 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Colorado Rocky Mountain School
Private
182 students · 9th–12th | 7.3 | ||
Schools in Carbondale
Carbondale, Colorado · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$98,549
Median Home Value
$835,000
Median Rent
$2,094/mo
Population
16,349
College Educated
50%
Homeownership
68%
Avg Commute
29 min
Poverty Rate
11.3%
Community Profile
Carbondale has a median household income of $98,549. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $835,000, with a median rent of $2,094/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.3%. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Colorado
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 3
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Colorado
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Carbondale, Colorado
How many schools are in Carbondale, Colorado?
Carbondale has 8 schools, including 6 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Carbondale, Colorado?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Carbondale is 6.2 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Carbondale, Colorado?
The top-ranked school in Carbondale on MySchoolScout is Carbondale Middle School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Carbondale, Colorado?
The top-ranked elementary school in Carbondale on MySchoolScout is Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork with a composite score of 6.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Carbondale, Colorado?
The top-ranked middle school in Carbondale on MySchoolScout is Carbondale Middle School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best high school in Carbondale, Colorado?
The top-ranked high school in Carbondale on MySchoolScout is Bridges with a composite score of 7.3/10.
How many school districts serve Carbondale, Colorado?
Carbondale is served by 2 school districts: State Charter School Institute, Roaring Fork School District No. Re-1.
What is the education level in Carbondale, Colorado?
According to Census data, 50% of adults in Carbondale have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Carbondale, Colorado?
The median household income in Carbondale is approximately $98,549 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Carbondale, Colorado?
Yes, Carbondale has 2 private schools alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is Colorado Rocky Mountain School with a score of 7.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Carbondale, Colorado?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Carbondale is 13.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Carbondale, Colorado?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Colorado Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.