Average
#138 of 188 private schools in CO
Darren Patterson Christian Academy
Elementary School
518 S SAN JUAN AVE, Buena Vista, CO 81211
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
Enrollment
77
Student-Teacher
8.6:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Darren Patterson Christian Academy compares to the 5 public schools in Buena Vista, CO
Student Demographics
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (719) 395-6046
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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.
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