Best Schools in Durango, Colorado
19 schools · 10 Elementary · 3 Middle · 5 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Durango?
Use this page to compare every school in Durango 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.
Needham Elementary School
Elementary · Durango School District No. 9-R. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Park Elementary School
Elementary · Durango School District No. 9-R. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Sunnyside Elementary School
Elementary · Durango School District No. 9-R. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Durango for 2026 are Needham Elementary School (9.3/10), Park Elementary School (8.8/10), and Sunnyside Elementary School (8.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 14 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
19
14 public · 5 private
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$585,350
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
19
14 public · 5 private
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$585,350
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Rates 9.3/10 despite 46% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.7 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Durango schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Durango
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 14 rated schools; 19 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Needham Elementary School | 9.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Park Elementary School | 8.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Sunnyside Elementary School | 8.5 / 10 |
| 4 | The Juniper School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Florida Mesa Elementary School | 7.9 / 10 |
| 6 | Escalante Middle School | 7.7 / 10 |
| 7 | Southwest Colorado Eschool | 7.2 / 10 |
| 8 | Durango High School | 7.1 / 10 |
| 9 | Durango Big Picture High School | 6.9 / 10 |
| 10 | Riverview Elementary School | 6.6 / 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
- 7.0/10
- Median household income
- $88,887
- Median home value
- $585,350
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 46%
- Avg commute
- 19 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 69%
47% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Durango compares
Colorado rank
#24 of 126
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.6
above Colorado avg (6.4)
Median household income
$89k
103% of Colorado median
Schools in this city
17
Durango School District No. 9-R runs 79% of Durango's public schools
Durango touches 3 districts, but Durango School District No. 9-R is the one most addresses actually attend.
Durango School District No. 9-R accounts for 11 of 14 public schools (79%). The other 2 districts hold the remaining 3.
Among 14 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 5.3 to 9.3 — the spread is inside Durango, not a citywide average.
- Durango School District No. 9-R11 public · 79%
- State Charter School Institute2 public · 14%
- San Juan Boces1 public · 7%
About Schools in Durango, Colorado
Durango's public school system spans 14 ranked schools, with a citywide average score of 7.4 out of 10. That average reflects genuine strength across the district — 9 of those 14 schools, or 64%, score 7 or higher. Most families relocating to Durango will find above-average options within reach, not just at the top of the rankings.
The elementary tier sets the tone. Park Elementary School leads all Durango schools with a score of 9.3 out of 10 — the highest in the city. Riverview Elementary follows at 9.2, making the two schools nearly identical at the top. The Juniper School (8.3) and Needham Elementary (8.2) add depth to the tier. Four of the five highest-ranked schools in Durango are elementary campuses, which gives families with young children an unusually strong selection to work with.
Middle school performance tracks well alongside it. Mountain Middle School scores 8.0 out of 10, placing it among the city's top five. Quality holding at the middle level matters for families thinking ahead — it signals a more consistent academic pipeline rather than a sharp drop-off after elementary.
Practically, Durango is a strong destination for parents who prioritize public school quality. The 64% rate of schools clearing the 7-out-of-10 threshold means above-average schools are the norm here, not the exception, and the top schools push well past that bar. The most important variable for individual families is attendance boundaries. School quality in Durango does vary across the 14-school range, and the gap between the top performers and the lower end can be meaningful. Before committing to a neighborhood, confirm your address falls within the zone for the schools that matter most to you.
Elementary Schools
10 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 347 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.3 | ||
| 2 | 439 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.8 | ||
| 3 | 108 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.5 | ||
| 4 | 169 students · Kindergarten–8th | 8.2 | ||
| 5 | 286 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.9 | ||
| 6 | 413 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.6 | ||
| 7 | 183 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.3 | ||
Private Schools3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Durango Montessori SchoolPrivate 36 students · Pre-K–5th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | St Columba SchoolPrivate 204 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Children's House of DurangoPrivate 10 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 511 students · 6th–8th | 7.7 |
| 2 | 398 students · 6th–8th | 6.2 |
| 3 | 301 students · 4th–8th | 5.7 |
High Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 45 students · 6th–12th | 7.2 | ||
| 2 | 1,343 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 | ||
| 3 | 91 students · 9th–12th | 6.9 | ||
| 4 | 234 students · 9th–12th | 6.4 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Colorado Timberline AcademyPrivate 22 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Liberty SchoolPrivate 33 students · 3rd–9th | Not Rated |
Schools in Durango
Durango, Colorado · 19 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$88,887
Median Home Value
$585,350
Median Rent
$1,429/mo
Population
39,588
College Educated
46%
Homeownership
69%
Avg Commute
19 min
Poverty Rate
12.8%
Community Profile
Durango has a median household income of $88,887. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $585,350, with a median rent of $1,429/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.8%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Colorado
- Elementary
- 10
- Middle
- 3
- High
- 5
- Other
- 1
Resources
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 Durango, Colorado
How many schools are in Durango, Colorado?
Durango has 19 schools, including 14 public and 5 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Durango, Colorado?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Durango is 7.0 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 Durango, Colorado?
The top-ranked school in Durango on MySchoolScout is Needham Elementary School with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Durango, Colorado?
The top-ranked elementary school in Durango on MySchoolScout is Needham Elementary School with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Durango, Colorado?
The top-ranked middle school in Durango on MySchoolScout is Escalante Middle School with a composite score of 7.7/10.
What is the best high school in Durango, Colorado?
The top-ranked high school in Durango on MySchoolScout is Southwest Colorado Eschool with a composite score of 7.2/10.
How many school districts serve Durango, Colorado?
Durango is served by 3 school districts: State Charter School Institute, Durango School District No. 9-R, San Juan Boces.
What is the education level in Durango, Colorado?
According to Census data, 46% of adults in Durango have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Durango, Colorado?
The median household income in Durango is approximately $88,887 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Durango, Colorado?
Yes, Durango has 5 private schools alongside 14 public schools. The top-rated private school is Durango Montessori School with a score of 5.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Durango, Colorado?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Durango is 11.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Durango, 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.