Very Good
#630 of 1,815 schools in CO
Top 35% in state
La Jara Elementary School
Elementary School · North Conejos School District No. Re1J
P O BOX 470, La Jara, CO 81140
Enrollment
191
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
191
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In La Jara
#1 of 3
public schools
Colorado elementary schools
#422 of 1,006
In district
#2 of 5
North Conejos School District No. Re1J
Equity
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About La Jara Elementary School
La Jara Elementary School serves 191 students in grades pre-K through 5th in the small community of La Jara, Colorado. This regular public school has earned exceptional recognition, ranking 13th out of 1,831 elementary schools statewide and placing in the 99th percentile with an impressive 8.4 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. The school demonstrates outstanding academic achievement with a 9.2 out of 10 academic score.
In mathematics, 57% of students perform at proficient or above levels across all grade levels. With 15 full-time equivalent teachers serving the student body, La Jara Elementary maintains an excellent 12.7-to-1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more personalized attention and support. The school draws from a community where the median household income is $44,082 and 31% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
Despite facing some economic challenges with a 17.3% poverty rate in the area, La Jara Elementary has clearly established itself as a high-performing institution that effectively serves its students. Located in remote rural Conejos County, La Jara Elementary operates within a tight-knit agricultural community where median home values average $199,600, reflecting the area's rural character and close community connections.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 191 students, La Jara Elementary School 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.
Located in a rural area, La Jara Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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La Jara Elementary School — Students at La Jara Elementary School score 45% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
68.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 13 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: 6.3/10.
How La Jara Elementary School Compares
See how La Jara Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 39.8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 49.49% (2025).
Location
P O BOX 470, La Jara, CO 81140
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering La Jara Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Manassa Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Manassa), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bill Metz Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 23.6 miles away, in nearby Monte Vista), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Sanford Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Sanford), with a very similar rating. For more schools in La Jara, see our La Jara schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 23.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| North Conejos Alternative Program Lajara | 0.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Centauri Middle School La Jara | 1.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Centauri High School La Jara | 2.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Sanford Elementary School Sanford | 2.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Sanford Junior/Senior High School Sanford | 2.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Manassa Elementary School Manassa | 7.2 mi | 8.7 |
| Alamosa Elementary School 3-5 Alamosa | 13.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Alamosa Elementary School K-2 Alamosa | 13.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Guadalupe Elementary School Antonito | 13.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Antonito High School Antonito | 13.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Antonito Middle School Antonito | 13.9 mi | — |
| Alamosa Online Alamosa | 14.3 mi | — |
| Alamosa Alternative Education School Alamosa | 14.3 mi | — |
| Ortega Middle School Alamosa | 14.4 mi | 5.3 |
| SUNSHINE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Alamosa | 14.6 mi | — |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Alamosa | 14.6 mi | — |
| Alamosa High School Alamosa | 14.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Monte Vista Middle School Monte Vista | 22.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Marsh Elementary School Monte Vista | 23.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Bill Metz Elementary School Monte Vista | 23.6 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 81140 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$46,211
Median Home Value
$233,100
Median Rent
$719/mo
Population
1,973
College Educated
24.4%
Homeownership
75.7%
Poverty Rate
16.6%
Median Age
37.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding La Jara Elementary School has a median household income of $46,211. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $233,100, with a median rent of $719/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.6%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ALLIES Colorado Springs, CO | 7.1 |
| Indian Peaks Elementary School Longmont, CO | 7.1 |
| Wyatt Academy Denver, CO | 7.1 |
| Del Norte Elementary School Del Norte, CO | 7.0 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF DENVER Denver, CO | 7.0 |
| SACRED HEART OF JESUS SCHOOL Boulder, CO | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about La Jara Elementary School
What grades does La Jara Elementary School serve?
La Jara Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend La Jara Elementary School?
La Jara Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 191 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at La Jara Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at La Jara Elementary School 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 La Jara Elementary School rank in CO?
La Jara Elementary School is ranked #630 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is La Jara Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
La Jara Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 La Jara Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, La Jara Elementary School has 43.7% math proficiency and 50.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is La Jara Elementary School a charter school?
No, La Jara Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is La Jara Elementary School a Title I school?
No, La Jara Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for La Jara Elementary School?
68.6% of students at La Jara Elementary 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.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 191
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 68.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Conejos County
- Phone
- (719) 274-5791
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
North Conejos School District No. Re1J- District Enrollment
- 955
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,862
- District Rank
- #2 of 5
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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