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Very Good

#524 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 29% in state

Escalante Middle School

Middle School · Durango School District No. 9-R

141 BAKER LANE, Durango, CO 81303

Enrollment

511

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

7.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Durango

#8 of 14

public schools

Colorado middle schools

#64 of 276

In district

#8 of 13

Durango School District No. 9-R

Academic growth

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Escalante Middle School

Escalante Middle School is a public middle school located in Durango, Colorado, serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 511 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1, the school offers personalized attention and support for each student. The dedicated faculty includes 33 full-time equivalent teachers who work tirelessly to ensure every child receives the education they need.

While Escalante Middle School has a MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks 624th among Colorado's 1831 schools, placing it in the 66th percentile, there is room for academic growth. In reading, 44% of students are proficient or above, while 30% meet proficiency standards in math. The school focuses on student development and provides resources to help all learners succeed.

Escalante Middle School is situated in a town setting within La Plata County, surrounded by the vibrant community of Durango.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.07 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.0Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency46.7%
Math vs. State Avg-1.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.8 pts
Overall Proficiency41%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected+1.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
Resources & Environment6.1Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,863

Escalante Middle School — Students at Escalante Middle School score 41% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 30.4%
School
State
36.5%
ELA Proficiency 43.7%
School
State
44.8%

Based on 9 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
28%
ELA
45%
2021*
Math
21%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
29%
2025
Math
37%
ELA
46.5%

* 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: 8.4/10.

How Escalante Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.3/10
71th percentile in CO
Academic
7.0/10
7.0/10
Growth
8.4/10
Above average
Environment
6.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

Location

141 BAKER LANE, Durango, CO 81303

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Escalante Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Mountain Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 5.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Miller Middle School (rated 7.2/10, 4.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Durango, see our Durango schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.3 mi
School Distance Rating
The Juniper School Durango 1.3 mi 8.4
Park Elementary School Durango 2.9 mi 9.0
Southwest Colorado eSchool Durango 3.3 mi 6.8
DURANGO MONTESSORI SCHOOL Durango 3.6 mi 5.3
Durango Big Picture High School Durango 3.5 mi 8.4
Colorado Connections Academy @ Durango Englewood 3.5 mi 5.4
ST COLUMBA SCHOOL Durango 4.0 mi 5.8
CHILDREN'S HOUSE OF DURANGO Durango 4.0 mi
Durango High School Durango 4.3 mi 7.6
Needham Elementary School Durango 4.5 mi 8.2
Animas High School Durango 4.1 mi 6.7
Riverview Elementary School Durango 4.7 mi 9.1
Miller Middle School Durango 4.8 mi 7.2
Florida Mesa Elementary School Durango 3.8 mi 6.3
Mountain Middle School Durango 5.0 mi 7.4
THE LIBERTY SCHOOL Durango 5.3 mi 5.9
Sunnyside Elementary School Durango 7.2 mi 6.0
Animas Valley Elementary School Durango 12.2 mi 4.0
COLORADO TIMBERLINE ACADEMY Durango 15.8 mi 5.5
SOUTHERN UTE INDIAN MONTESSORI ACADEMY Ignacio 14.3 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 81303 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$94,565

Median Home Value

$535,800

Median Rent

$1,424/mo

Population

9,696

College Educated

34.8%

Homeownership

71.9%

Avg Commute

21.8 min

Poverty Rate

11.2%

Median Age

39.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Escalante Middle School has a median household income of $94,565. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $535,800, with a median rent of $1,424/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.2%. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Goddard Middle School Littleton, CO 7.3
Pagosa Springs Middle School Pagosa Springs, CO 7.3
Castle Rock Middle School Castle Rock, CO 7.2
Craig Middle School Craig, CO 7.2
Evergreen Middle School Evergreen, CO 7.2
Lincoln Middle School Fort Collins, CO 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Escalante Middle School

What grades does Escalante Middle School serve?

Escalante Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Escalante Middle School?

Escalante Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 511 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Escalante Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Escalante Middle School is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Escalante Middle School rank in CO?

Escalante Middle School is ranked #524 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Escalante Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Escalante 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 Escalante Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Escalante Middle School has 30.4% math proficiency and 43.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Escalante Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Escalante Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

45.6% of students at Escalante 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
43 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
77 Very Bikeable
County Safety
Average (283/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
511
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
45.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
La Plata County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Durango School District No. 9-R
District Enrollment
5,146
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,729
District Rank
#8 of 13

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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