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Very Good

#508 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 28% in state

Buena Vista Middle School

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

P O BOX 2027, Buena Vista, CO 81211

Enrollment

229

Student-Teacher

12.7:1

Score

7.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Buena Vista

#1 of 4

public schools

Colorado middle schools

#62 of 276

In district

#1 of 4

Buena Vista School District No. R-31

School environment

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Buena Vista Middle School

Buena Vista Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the remote town of Buena Vista, Colorado. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 229 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.7:1 with 18 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 6.0 out of 10, placing it in the 59th percentile among Colorado schools.

Academically, Buena Vista Middle School has room for growth, as reflected by its state ranking and academic score. In ELA/Reading, 46% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, 30% meet proficiency standards. The school focuses on student development within a close-knit community setting.

Buena Vista Middle School is situated in a remote area where the tight-knit community supports and encourages its young learners as they navigate middle school challenges.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.16 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.2Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.8%
Math vs. State Avg-6.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.9 pts
Overall Proficiency39%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected-4.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
Resources & Environment8.9Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,814

Buena Vista Middle School — Students at Buena Vista Middle School score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

36.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 29.8%
School
State
35.1%
ELA Proficiency 45.8%
School
State
46.0%

Based on 13 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
36%
ELA
41%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
24%
2025
Math
30.3%
ELA
47.9%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How Buena Vista Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.3/10
72th percentile in CO
Academic
6.2/10
6.2/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
8.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

Location

P O BOX 2027, Buena Vista, CO 81211

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Buena Vista Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Salida Middle School (rated 8.4/10, 22.6 miles away, in nearby Salida), which scores notably higher. Another option is South Park Middle School (rated 8.4/10, 27.6 miles away, in nearby Fairplay), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Crest Academy (rated 7.8/10, 22.8 miles away, in nearby Salida), which scores slightly 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 High School Buena Vista 0.1 mi 5.2
DARREN PATTERSON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Buena Vista 0.3 mi 5.6
Chaffee County High School Buena Vista 0.5 mi
Avery/Parsons Elementary School Buena Vista 0.5 mi 6.9
The Grove BVSD's Early Learning Program Buena Vista 0.5 mi 5.0
THE LINK SCHOOL Buena Vista 6.0 mi
Longfellow Elementary School Salida 22.1 mi 8.5
Salida Montessori Charter School Salida 22.2 mi 7.8
Horizons Exploratory Academy Salida 22.5 mi 8.3
Salida Middle School Salida 22.6 mi 8.4
Salida High School Salida 22.7 mi 5.5
Salida Early Childhood Center Salida 22.7 mi 7.3
Crest Academy Salida 22.8 mi 7.8
Edith Teter Elementary School Fairplay 27.6 mi 5.7
South Park High School Fairplay 27.6 mi 6.6
South Park Middle School Fairplay 27.6 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 Middle 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
Rocky Mountain Prep Sunnyside Denver, CO 7.3
Dolores Middle School Dolores, CO 7.2
Mountain Middle School Durango, CO 7.4
Estes Park Middle School Estes Park, CO 7.5
Yuma Middle School Yuma, CO 7.1
Ignacio Middle School Ignacio, CO 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Buena Vista Middle School

What grades does Buena Vista Middle School serve?

Buena Vista Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Buena Vista Middle School?

Buena Vista Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 229 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Buena Vista Middle School is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Buena Vista Middle School rank in CO?

Buena Vista Middle School is ranked #508 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Buena Vista Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Buena Vista Middle School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Buena Vista Middle School has 29.8% math proficiency and 45.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Buena Vista Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Buena Vista Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

36.7% of students at Buena Vista Middle 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

Walk Score
55 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
56 Bikeable
City Safety
Average (444/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
229
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
36.7%
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
#1 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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