7.1 avg / 10

Best Schools in Paonia, Colorado

3 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 High

Last updated: May 2026

Public: 2

Private: 1

Districts: 1

Avg Rating: 7.1/10

Family Snapshot

At a glance

Avg school rating: 7.1/10
Median household income: $76,964
Median home value: $371,400
Bachelor's degree or higher: 39%
Owner-occupied homes: 79%

How Paonia compares

Median household income

$77k

89% of Colorado median

About Schools in Paonia, Colorado

Paonia, Colorado is home to 3 schools, including 2 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, , and 1 high school.

With an average rating of 7.1 out of 10, schools in Paonia perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Paonia is North Fork School of Integrated Studies with a composite score of 7.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.

Paonia is served by 1 school district: Delta County Joint District No. 50. These districts collectively serve 4,489 students.

Paonia's community shows 39% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $76,964. The poverty rate in the area is 11.6%.

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.

Filter by Level: All Levels (3) Elementary (2) High (1)

Filter by Type: All Types (3) Public (2) Private (1)

Filter by Rating: All Ratings (3) Academics (3) Growth (2) Diversity (2) Resources (2)

Filter by ZIP: 81428 (3)

Elementary Schools

2 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	North Fork School of Integrated Studies 119 students · Pre-K–6th	119	Pre-K–6th	7.3
2	Paonia K-8 252 students · Pre-K–8th	252	Pre-K–8th	6.9

High Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	PAONIA EXPERIENTIAL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Private 26 students · 7th–12th	26	7th–12th	Not Rated

Schools in Paonia

Paonia, Colorado · 3 schools

Community Demographics

Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code

Median Income

$76,964

Median Home Value

$371,400

Median Rent

$1,007/mo

Population

3,767

College Educated

39%

Homeownership

79%

Poverty Rate

11.6%

Community Profile

Paonia has a median household income of $76,964. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $371,400, with a median rent of $1,007/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Quick Facts

State: Colorado
Total Schools: 3
Elementary: 2
High: 1
Districts: 1
Avg Rating: 7.1/10

Resources

🔍 Google "Paonia schools" 🏫 GreatSchools Paonia 📊 Niche Paonia Rankings 📍 Google Maps: Schools

School District

Delta County Joint District No. 50

17 schools · 4,489 students

Nearby Cities

Hotchkiss (2 schools)

8 mi

Crawford (1 school)

11 mi

Cedaredge (3 schools)

Montrose (14 schools)

Other Major Cities in Colorado

Top metros statewide by school count.

Denver 277 schools Colorado Springs 197 schools Aurora 115 schools Lakewood 54 schools Fort Collins 53 schools

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about schools in Paonia, Colorado

How many schools are in Paonia, Colorado?

Paonia has 3 schools, including 2 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.

What is the average school rating in Paonia, Colorado?

The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Paonia is 7.1 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

What is the top-ranked school in Paonia, Colorado?

The top-ranked school in Paonia on MySchoolScout is North Fork School of Integrated Studies with a composite score of 7.3/10.

What is the best elementary school in Paonia, Colorado?

The top-ranked elementary school in Paonia on MySchoolScout is North Fork School of Integrated Studies with a composite score of 7.3/10.

How many school districts serve Paonia, Colorado?

Paonia is served by 1 school district: Delta County Joint District No. 50.

What is the education level in Paonia, Colorado?

According to Census data, 39% of adults in Paonia have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the median income in Paonia, Colorado?

The median household income in Paonia is approximately $76,964 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.

Are there private schools in Paonia, Colorado?

Yes, Paonia has 1 private school alongside 2 public schools.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Paonia, Colorado?

The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Paonia is 14.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.

How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Paonia, 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.