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#138 of 188 private schools in CO

Darren Patterson Christian Academy

Elementary School

518 S SAN JUAN AVE, Buena Vista, CO 81211

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

77

Student-Teacher

8.6:1

Score

5.6

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

Colorado elementary schools

#76 of 104

About Darren Patterson Christian Academy

Darren Patterson Christian Academy serves 77 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in Buena Vista, Colorado. This regular public elementary school maintains an exceptional 8.6:1 student-teacher ratio with 9 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment where students receive significant individual attention. The school has earned recognition for its academic excellence, achieving a MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranking #42 among Colorado's 188 elementary schools, placing it in the 78th percentile statewide.

This strong performance reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education in a small school setting. The surrounding community in ZIP code 81211 shows solid economic stability, with a median household income of $60,529 and a poverty rate of 10.5%. About one-third of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, contributing to an education-minded community atmosphere.

Median home values of $485,900 reflect the area's desirability and investment in the local community. Darren Patterson Christian Academy operates in Buena Vista's remote mountain setting in Chaffee County, where families value the combination of small-town education and natural beauty that defines this Colorado community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 77 students, Darren Patterson Christian 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 8.6:1, Darren Patterson Christian 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, Darren Patterson Christian 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
$11,222
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$13,240
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.18x — Strong
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
64%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$2.2M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 77 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Darren Patterson Christian Academy compares to the 5 public schools in Buena Vista, CO

Student-Teacher Ratio
8.6:1
This School
vs
23.9:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
77
This School
vs
197
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
5.6
This School
vs
6.1
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 89.6% vs 0%
Black 2.6% vs 0%
Hispanic 2.6% vs 0%
Darren Patterson Christian Academy Buena Vista Public Avg

All Schools in Buena Vista

School Rating
Darren Patterson Christian Academy (this school) 5.6
Buena Vista Middle School 7.3
Buena Vista High School 5.2
Avery/Parsons Elementary School 6.9
The Grove BVSD's Early Learning Program 5.0
Chaffee County High School

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)
B+ 6.8 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 8.6:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B- 5.1 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,193.4
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C+ 4.2 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 19%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B- 5.4 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 77
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 89.6%
Two or More 5.2%
Black 2.6%
Hispanic 2.6%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

518 S SAN JUAN AVE, Buena Vista, CO 81211

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Darren Patterson Christian Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Longfellow Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 22.1 miles away, in nearby Salida), which scores notably higher. Another option is Salida Montessori Charter School (rated 7.8/10, 22.2 miles away, in nearby Salida), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Avery/Parsons Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 0.7 miles away), 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 0.3 mi 7.3
Buena Vista High School Buena Vista 0.4 mi 5.2
Avery/Parsons Elementary School Buena Vista 0.7 mi 6.9
The Grove BVSD's Early Learning Program Buena Vista 0.7 mi 5.0
Chaffee County High School Buena Vista 0.7 mi
THE LINK SCHOOL Buena Vista 5.8 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 27.8 mi 5.7
South Park High School Fairplay 27.8 mi 6.6
South Park Middle School Fairplay 27.8 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 Darren Patterson Christian Academy 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
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Franktown, CO 5.6
Georgetown Community School Georgetown, CO 5.7
Ouray Elementary School Ouray, CO 5.4
PSD Mountain Schools Red Feather Lakes, CO 5.4
SUMMIT CLASSICAL ACADEMY Broomfield, CO 5.4
BOOKCLIFF CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Junction, CO 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Darren Patterson Christian Academy

What grades does Darren Patterson Christian Academy serve?

Darren Patterson Christian Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Darren Patterson Christian Academy?

Darren Patterson Christian Academy has an enrollment of approximately 77 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Darren Patterson Christian Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Darren Patterson Christian Academy is 8.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Darren Patterson Christian Academy rank in CO?

Darren Patterson Christian Academy is ranked #138 out of 188 private schools in CO.

What is Darren Patterson Christian Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Darren Patterson Christian Academy has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Darren Patterson Christian Academy a private school?

Yes, Darren Patterson Christian Academy is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Darren Patterson Christian Academy a religious school?

Darren Patterson Christian Academy has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.

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 PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
77
Gender Split
51% M / 49% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Christian, no specific denomination
School Day
7.8 hours
Days Per Year
153 days
Setting
Remote Town
County
CHAFFEE
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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