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Average

#1374 of 1,815 schools in CO

Buena Vista High School

High School · Buena Vista School District No. R-31

P O BOX 2027, Buena Vista, CO 81211

Enrollment

271

Student-Teacher

12.3:1

Score

5.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Buena Vista

#3 of 4

public schools

Colorado high schools

#308 of 403

In district

#3 of 4

Buena Vista School District No. R-31

School environment

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Buena Vista High School

Buena Vista High School serves 271 students in grades 9-12 in the mountain community of Buena Vista, Colorado. This regular public school maintains a favorable 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio with 22 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #251 out of 1,831 Colorado high schools, placing it in the 86th percentile statewide.

Students achieve an academic score of 7.6 out of 10, with 42% of students performing proficient or above in mathematics across grade levels. Buena Vista High School draws students from a community where the median household income is $60,529 and 32% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 10.5%, though housing costs reflect the desirable mountain location with a median home value of $485,900.

Located in Chaffee County, the school serves a ZIP code population of 8,007 residents. Buena Vista High School operates in a remote town setting, providing students with a close-knit educational environment amid Colorado's scenic mountain landscape.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.8Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.84 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.4Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.5%
Overall Proficiency53%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+8.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile76th
College Readiness2.6Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation4.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,814

Buena Vista High School — Students at Buena Vista High School score 53% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

34.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 43.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 69.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
54.5%
ELA
74.5%
2021*
Math
34.5%
ELA
64.5%
2022
Math
42%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.8/10.

How Buena Vista High School Compares

See how Buena Vista High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.2/10
24th percentile in CO
Academic
8.4/10
8.4/10
Growth
1.8/10
Below average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
34%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

P O BOX 2027, Buena Vista, CO 81211

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Buena Vista High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Horizons Exploratory Academy (rated 8.3/10, 22.4 miles away, in nearby Salida), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cloud City High School (rated 7.5/10, 29.7 miles away, in nearby Leadville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, South Park High School (rated 6.6/10, 27.7 miles away, in nearby Fairplay), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Buena Vista, see our Buena Vista schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 30.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Buena Vista Middle School Buena Vista 0.1 mi 7.3
DARREN PATTERSON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Buena Vista 0.4 mi 5.6
Chaffee County High School Buena Vista 0.5 mi
Avery/Parsons Elementary School Buena Vista 0.6 mi 6.9
The Grove BVSD's Early Learning Program Buena Vista 0.6 mi 5.0
THE LINK SCHOOL Buena Vista 6.0 mi
Longfellow Elementary School Salida 22.0 mi 8.5
Salida Montessori Charter School Salida 22.2 mi 7.8
Horizons Exploratory Academy Salida 22.4 mi 8.3
Salida Middle School Salida 22.6 mi 8.4
Salida High School Salida 22.6 mi 5.5
Salida Early Childhood Center Salida 22.6 mi 7.3
Crest Academy Salida 22.8 mi 7.8
Edith Teter Elementary School Fairplay 27.7 mi 5.7
South Park High School Fairplay 27.7 mi 6.6
South Park Middle School Fairplay 27.7 mi 8.4
Lake County High School Leadville 29.7 mi 4.5
Cloud City High School Leadville 29.7 mi 7.5
Lake County Intermediate School Leadville 29.9 mi 5.4
Lake County Elementary School Leadville 30.2 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 81211 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,132

Median Home Value

$566,200

Median Rent

$1,413/mo

Population

8,191

College Educated

35.2%

Homeownership

72.3%

Poverty Rate

7.9%

Median Age

47

Community Profile

The community surrounding Buena Vista High School has a median household income of $62,132. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $566,200, with a median rent of $1,413/month. The local poverty rate of 7.9% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Manual High School Denver, CO 5.2
Dolores High School Dolores, CO 5.3
Pikes Peak Early College Colorado Springs, CO 5.1
Cedaredge High School Cedaredge, CO 5.4
Nikola Tesla Education Opportunity Center Colorado Springs, CO 5.4
Vista Academy Denver, CO 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Buena Vista High School

What grades does Buena Vista High School serve?

Buena Vista High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Buena Vista High School?

Buena Vista High School has an enrollment of approximately 271 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Buena Vista High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Buena Vista High School is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Buena Vista High School rank in CO?

Buena Vista High School is ranked #1374 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Buena Vista High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Buena Vista High School has a composite rating of 5.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Buena Vista High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Buena Vista High School has 43.7% math proficiency and 69.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Buena Vista High School a charter school?

No, Buena Vista High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Buena Vista High School a Title I school?

No, Buena Vista High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Buena Vista High School?

34.3% of students at Buena Vista High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Average (444/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Buena Vista). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
271
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
34.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Chaffee County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Buena Vista School District No. R-31
District Enrollment
985
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,439
District Rank
#3 of 4

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

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