Needs Improvement
#1796 of 1,815 schools in CO
Gardner Valley School
Elementary School · Huerfano School District Re-1
PO BOX 191, Gardner, CO 81040
Enrollment
86
Student-Teacher
21.5:1
Score
2.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
86
Student-Teacher
21.5:1
Score
2.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Colorado schools
#1,796 of 1,815
In district
#2 of 3
Huerfano School District Re-1
Shortlisting around Gardner Valley School?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Gardner Valley School
Elementary School in Gardner · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Rye Elementary School
16.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Rye High School
16.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Gardner Valley School
Gardner Valley School is a public elementary school in Gardner, CO, part of Huerfano School District Re-1. Gardner Valley School serves approximately 86 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 21.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Gardner Valley School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,796 of 1,815 schools in CO.
Structured state assessment records for Gardner Valley School show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 2.9 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 2.7
- CO avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
At 86 students, Gardner Valley School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Gardner Valley School runs 21.5:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Gardner Valley School is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Gardner Valley School — Students at Gardner Valley School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
74.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 29 test records from CO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 2.3/10.
How Gardner Valley School Compares
See how Gardner Valley School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
PO BOX 191, Gardner, CO 81040
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Gardner Valley School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Custer County Elementary School (rated 6.0/10, 29.1 miles away, in nearby Westcliffe), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rye Elementary School (rated 5.8/10, 16.1 miles away, in nearby Rye), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Goodnight Elementary School (rated 5.0/10, 42.4 miles away, in nearby Pueblo), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Gardner, see our Gardner schools guide .
Nearby Schools
14 within 42.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Rye Elementary School Rye | 16.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Rye High School Rye | 16.3 mi | 6.7 |
| La Veta Elementary School La Veta | 21.1 mi | 4.1 |
| La Veta Junior-Senior High School La Veta | 21.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Beulah Elementary School Beulah | 22.7 mi | 3.0 |
| Beulah Middle School Beulah | 22.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Craver Middle School Colorado City | 22.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Peakview School Walsenburg | 23.1 mi | 2.5 |
| Walsenburg Jr. Sr. High School Walsenburg | 23.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Sierra Grande K-12 School Blanca | 29.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Custer County High School Westcliffe | 29.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Custer County Elementary School Westcliffe | 29.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Custer Middle School Westcliffe | 29.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Goodnight Elementary School Pueblo | 42.4 mi | 5.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 81040 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Population
328
College Educated
28.7%
Homeownership
92.4%
Poverty Rate
14%
Median Age
65.2
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Beulah Elementary School Beulah, CO | 3.0 |
| Guadalupe Elementary School Antonito, CO | 3.1 |
| Briggsdale Elementary School Briggsdale, CO | 3.7 |
| Monument View Montessori Charter School Fruita, CO | 3.8 |
| Kwiyagat Community Academy Tawoac, CO | 4.0 |
| Cheyenne Wells Elementary School Cheyenne Wells, CO | 4.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Gardner Valley School
What grades does Gardner Valley School serve?
Gardner Valley School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Gardner Valley School?
Gardner Valley School has an enrollment of approximately 86 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Gardner Valley School?
The student-teacher ratio at Gardner Valley School is 21.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Gardner Valley School rank in CO?
Gardner Valley School ranks #1,796 of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Gardner Valley School's MySchoolScout rating?
Gardner Valley School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Gardner Valley School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Gardner Valley School has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Gardner Valley School a charter school?
Yes, Gardner Valley School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Gardner Valley School a Title I school?
No, Gardner Valley School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gardner Valley School?
74.4% of students at Gardner Valley 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 86
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 4
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 74.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Huerfano County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 79.1%
- Phone
- (719) 746-2446
Resources & Links
District
Huerfano School District Re-1- District Enrollment
- 478
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,798
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.