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Excellent

#285 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 16% in state

Horizons Exploratory Academy

High School · Salida School District No. R-32

349 EAST 9TH STREET, Salida, CO 81201

Enrollment

38

Student-Teacher

12.7:1

Score

8.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#285 of 1,815

In Salida

#5 of 7

public schools

In district

#4 of 6

Salida School District No. R-32

Academic growth

8.7 / 10

Excellent

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Horizons Exploratory Academy

8.1/10

High School in Salida · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Salida Middle School

8.6/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Salida High School

7.7/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Horizons Exploratory Academy

Horizons Exploratory Academy is a public high school in Salida, CO, part of Salida School District No. R-32. Horizons Exploratory Academy serves approximately 38 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio.

Horizons Exploratory Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #285 of 1,815 schools in CO. Structured state assessment records for Horizons Exploratory Academy show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 8.1 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.9
  • CO avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 38 students, Horizons Exploratory Academy 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.

55% of students at Horizons Exploratory Academy were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data10
Annual Change-1.99 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.3Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency75% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency50% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+10.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile75th
College Readiness8.4Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate50%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,274
Chronic Absenteeism55.3%

Horizons Exploratory Academy — Students at Horizons Exploratory Academy score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 29.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A

Based on 19 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2011
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2013
Math
24.5%
ELA
75%
2016
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2017
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2018
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2019
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
75%
2022
Math
25%

* 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: 8.7/10.

How Horizons Exploratory Academy Compares

See how Horizons Exploratory Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
84th percentile in CO
Academic
8.3/10
Excellent
Growth
8.7/10
Excellent
Environment
6.6/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
3 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
55.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

349 EAST 9TH STREET, Salida, CO 81201

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Horizons Exploratory Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Buena Vista High School (rated 8.1/10, 22.4 miles away, in nearby Buena Vista), with a very similar rating. Another option is Salida High School (rated 7.7/10, 0.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Cotopaxi Junior-Senior High School (rated 6.7/10, 19.6 miles away, in nearby Cotopaxi), a more accessible option. For more schools in Salida, see our Salida schools guide .

Nearby Schools

17 within 29.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Salida Middle School Salida 0.1 mi 8.6
Salida High School Salida 0.2 mi 7.7
Salida Early Childhood Center Salida 0.2 mi 5.7
Longfellow Elementary School Salida 0.4 mi 8.4
Salida Montessori Charter School Salida 0.4 mi 8.3
Crest Academy Salida 0.6 mi 8.4
Buena Vista High School Buena Vista 22.4 mi 8.1
Buena Vista Middle School Buena Vista 22.5 mi 7.1
DARREN PATTERSON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Buena Vista 22.5 mi 5.6
Chaffee County High School Buena Vista 22.9 mi
Cotopaxi Elementary School Cotopaxi 19.6 mi 5.3
Cotopaxi Junior-Senior High School Cotopaxi 19.6 mi 6.7
Avery/Parsons Elementary School Buena Vista 23.0 mi 4.8
The Grove BVSD's Early Learning Program Buena Vista 23.0 mi 3.1
THE LINK SCHOOL Buena Vista 27.5 mi
Mountain Valley School Saguache 31.6 mi 7.5
Guffey Charter School Guffey 29.9 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 81201 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,850

Median Home Value

$631,700

Median Rent

$1,614/mo

Population

9,561

College Educated

52.1%

Homeownership

68.6%

Avg Commute

18.5 min

Poverty Rate

13.3%

Median Age

46.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Antonito High School Antonito, CO 8.0
Cloud City High School Leadville, CO 8.3
Prep Academy Denver, CO 7.8
Eads High School Eads, CO 7.5
Ouray Senior High School Ouray, CO 7.5
Southwest Colorado eSchool Durango, CO 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Horizons Exploratory Academy

What grades does Horizons Exploratory Academy serve?

Horizons Exploratory Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Horizons Exploratory Academy?

Horizons Exploratory Academy has an enrollment of approximately 38 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Horizons Exploratory Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Horizons Exploratory Academy is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Horizons Exploratory Academy rank in CO?

Horizons Exploratory Academy ranks #285 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Horizons Exploratory Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Horizons Exploratory Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 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 Horizons Exploratory Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Horizons Exploratory Academy has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

Is Horizons Exploratory Academy a charter school?

No, Horizons Exploratory Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Horizons Exploratory Academy a Title I school?

No, Horizons Exploratory Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Horizons Exploratory Academy?

44.7% of students at Horizons Exploratory Academy 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
68 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
82 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
38
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.7%
Type
alternative
Setting
Remote Town
County
Chaffee County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
55.3%
4-Year Graduation
50%+

District

Salida School District No. R-32
District Enrollment
1,322
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,274
District Rank
#4 of 6

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