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Average

#147 of 188 private schools in CO

Colorado Timberline Academy

High School

454 ACADEMY DR, Durango, CO 81301

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on CO statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

33

Student-Teacher

3.3:1

Score

5.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Durango

#3 of 4

public schools

Colorado high schools

#18 of 24

About Colorado Timberline Academy

Colorado Timberline Academy serves grades 9 through 12 in Durango, Colorado, with just 33 students creating an intimate learning environment. This small public high school boasts an exceptional student-teacher ratio of 3.3:1 with 10 full-time equivalent teachers, ensuring personalized attention for every student. The school has earned strong recognition statewide, ranking 26th out of 188 Colorado high schools and placing in the 87th percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10.

This impressive performance reflects the benefits of the school's small, focused academic environment where students can develop close relationships with teachers and receive individualized support. Colorado Timberline Academy draws from a well-educated community where 58% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding area has a median household income of $80,346 and median home values of $584,700, indicating a stable, invested community that values education.

With a poverty rate of 13%, the neighborhood demonstrates economic diversity while maintaining strong educational foundations. Located in a rural setting on Academy Drive, the school offers students the advantages of small-town Colorado living while maintaining high academic standards. The combination of its intimate size, strong state ranking, and rural Durango location creates a unique educational experience in the heart of southwestern Colorado.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 33 students, Colorado Timberline Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 3.3:1, Colorado Timberline Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Colorado Timberline Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$42,042
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$34,305
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
0.82x — At Risk
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
99%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$1.5M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 33 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Colorado Timberline Academy compares to the 14 public schools in Durango, CO

Student-Teacher Ratio
3.3:1
This School
vs
13.4:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
33
This School
vs
348
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
5.5
This School
vs
7.3
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 93.9% vs 0%
Hispanic 3% vs 0%
Asian 3% vs 0%
Colorado Timberline Academy Durango Public Avg

All Schools in Durango

School Rating
Colorado Timberline Academy (this school) 5.5
Animas Valley Elementary School 4.0
Mountain Middle School 7.4
Riverview Elementary School 9.1
Miller Middle School 7.2
Needham Elementary School 8.2
Durango High School 7.6
Southwest Colorado eSchool 6.8
Park Elementary School 9.0
Durango Big Picture High School 8.4
Animas High School 6.7
The Juniper School 8.4
Florida Mesa Elementary School 6.3
Escalante Middle School 7.3
Sunnyside Elementary School 6.0

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CO.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A+ 9.6 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 3.3:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 3.7 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,155
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C 3.2 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 12%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C- 2.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 33
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in CO

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 93.9%
Hispanic 3.0%
Asian 3.0%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

454 ACADEMY DR, Durango, CO 81301

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Colorado Timberline Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Durango Big Picture High School (rated 8.4/10, 13.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Durango High School (rated 7.6/10, 11.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Southwest Colorado eSchool (rated 6.8/10, 13.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Durango, see our Durango schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Animas Valley Elementary School Durango 3.7 mi 4.0
Mountain Middle School Durango 11.0 mi 7.4
Riverview Elementary School Durango 11.2 mi 9.1
THE LIBERTY SCHOOL Durango 11.0 mi 5.9
Miller Middle School Durango 11.4 mi 7.2
Durango High School Durango 11.7 mi 7.6
Needham Elementary School Durango 11.7 mi 8.2
ST COLUMBA SCHOOL Durango 12.1 mi 5.8
CHILDREN'S HOUSE OF DURANGO Durango 12.3 mi
DURANGO MONTESSORI SCHOOL Durango 12.5 mi 5.3
Southwest Colorado eSchool Durango 13.0 mi 6.8
Park Elementary School Durango 13.1 mi 9.0
Durango Big Picture High School Durango 13.2 mi 8.4
Colorado Connections Academy @ Durango Englewood 13.2 mi 5.4
Animas High School Durango 14.0 mi 6.7
The Juniper School Durango 14.9 mi 8.4
Florida Mesa Elementary School Durango 15.4 mi 6.3
Escalante Middle School Durango 15.8 mi 7.3
Bayfield High School Bayfield 18.2 mi 5.6
Bayfield Middle School Bayfield 18.5 mi 4.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 81301 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,209

Median Home Value

$634,900

Median Rent

$1,433/mo

Population

29,892

College Educated

57.8%

Homeownership

65.3%

Avg Commute

17.1 min

Poverty Rate

14.5%

Median Age

41.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Colorado Timberline Academy has a median household income of $83,209. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $634,900, with a median rent of $1,433/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.5%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Vilas Undivided High School Vilas, CO 5.8
Grand Mesa High School Collbran, CO 4.7
San Juan Mountain School Pagosa Springs, CO 6.4
Innovative Connections High School Greeley, CO 6.5
HUMANEX ACADEMY Englewood, CO 6.6
Lincoln High School Fort Morgan, CO 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Colorado Timberline Academy

What grades does Colorado Timberline Academy serve?

Colorado Timberline Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Colorado Timberline Academy?

Colorado Timberline Academy has an enrollment of approximately 33 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Colorado Timberline Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Colorado Timberline Academy is 3.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Colorado Timberline Academy rank in CO?

Colorado Timberline Academy is ranked #147 out of 188 private schools in CO.

What is Colorado Timberline Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Colorado Timberline Academy has a composite rating of 5.5 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.

Is Colorado Timberline Academy a private school?

Yes, Colorado Timberline Academy is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Colorado Timberline Academy a religious school?

No, Colorado Timberline Academy is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
33
Gender Split
82% M / 18% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
3.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
165 days
Setting
Distant Rural
County
LA PLATA
Data Year
2022–2023

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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