Excellent
#180 of 1,815 schools in CO
Top 10% 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
8.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
38
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
8.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Salida
#3 of 7
public schools
Colorado high schools
#20 of 403
In district
#3 of 6
Salida School District No. R-32
Academic growth
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Horizons Exploratory Academy
Horizons Exploratory Academy is a public high school in Salida, CO, part of the Salida School District No. R-32. The school serves approximately 38 students in grades 9th – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.7:1.
It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 90.1th percentile among CO schools — an above average rating overall. Students demonstrate 25% proficiency in math and 50% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (10.0/10).
Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $70,850, where 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The school is situated in a remote town setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 38 students, Horizons Exploratory 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.
Score Breakdown
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Horizons Exploratory Academy — Students at Horizons Exploratory Academy score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from CO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 10.0/10.
How Horizons Exploratory Academy Compares
See how Horizons Exploratory Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 25% (2019) to 25% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 25% (2019) to 75% (2021).
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. Salida High School (rated 5.5/10, 0.2 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is Buena Vista High School (rated 5.2/10, 22.4 miles away, in nearby Buena Vista), a more accessible option. Additionally, Cotopaxi Junior-Senior High School (rated 5.2/10, 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 | 8.4 |
| Salida High School Salida | 0.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Salida Early Childhood Center Salida | 0.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Longfellow Elementary School Salida | 0.4 mi | 8.5 |
| Salida Montessori Charter School Salida | 0.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Crest Academy Salida | 0.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Buena Vista High School Buena Vista | 22.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Buena Vista Middle School Buena Vista | 22.5 mi | 7.3 |
| 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 | 6.1 |
| Cotopaxi Junior-Senior High School Cotopaxi | 19.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Avery/Parsons Elementary School Buena Vista | 23.0 mi | 6.9 |
| The Grove BVSD's Early Learning Program Buena Vista | 23.0 mi | 5.0 |
| THE LINK SCHOOL Buena Vista | 27.5 mi | — |
| Mountain Valley School Saguache | 31.6 mi | 7.8 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Horizons Exploratory Academy has a median household income of $70,850. It is a well-educated community where 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $631,700, with a median rent of $1,614/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Eads High School Eads, CO | 8.3 |
| Arickaree Undivided High School Anton, CO | 8.6 |
| Kit Carson Junior-Senior High School Kit Carson, CO | 7.8 |
| Marvin W Foote Youth Services Centennial, CO | 7.8 |
| Prep Academy Denver, CO | 7.8 |
| Cloud City High School Leadville, 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 is ranked #180 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Horizons Exploratory Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Horizons Exploratory Academy has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Horizons Exploratory Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Horizons Exploratory Academy has 25.0% math proficiency and 50.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Salida). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (719) 530-5252
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Salida School District No. R-32- District Enrollment
- 1,322
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,274
- District Rank
- #3 of 6
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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