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Very Good

#631 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 35% in state

La Junta Intermediate School

Elementary School · East Otero School District No. R1

901 SMITHLAND AVE., La Junta, CO 81050

Enrollment

405

Student-Teacher

12.7:1

Score

7.1

Grades

3rd – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In La Junta

#2 of 4

public schools

Colorado elementary schools

#423 of 1,006

In district

#2 of 4

East Otero School District No. R1

School environment

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About La Junta Intermediate School

La Junta Intermediate School is a regular public elementary school located in the remote town of La Junta, Colorado. The school serves students from third to sixth grade and has an enrollment of 405 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 12.7:1, the school benefits from having 32 full-time equivalent teachers who can provide individualized attention to each student.

The academic performance at La Junta Intermediate School shows room for improvement, with proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Reading sitting at 22% and Math at 10%. The MySchoolScout rating is 4.2 out of 10, placing the school around the 29th percentile among Colorado schools. Despite these challenges, the dedicated staff continues to work hard to support student development.

La Junta Intermediate School sits in a remote setting, offering students a close-knit community atmosphere. The town itself provides a unique environment for learning and growth, fostering a sense of camaraderie among its residents.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at La Junta Intermediate School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.07 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics3.8Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency21.9%
Math vs. State Avg-34.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-23 pts
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)20%
vs. Expected-4.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,362

La Junta Intermediate School — Students at La Junta Intermediate School score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 9.8%
School
State
40.4%
ELA Proficiency 21.8%
School
State
44.9%

Based on 12 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
8%
ELA
16%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
8%
2025
Math
15.3%
ELA
21.9%

* 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 La Junta Intermediate School Compares

See how La Junta Intermediate School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
65th percentile in CO
Academic
3.8/10
3.8/10
Growth
8.4/10
Above average
Environment
8.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

Location

901 SMITHLAND AVE., La Junta, CO 81050

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering La Junta Intermediate School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Washington Primary School (rated 8.0/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Rocky Ford), which scores slightly higher. Another option is La Junta Primary School (rated 7.7/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Las Animas Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 17.8 miles away, in nearby Las Animas), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in La Junta, see our La Junta schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 28.6 mi
School Distance Rating
La Junta Jr/Sr High School La Junta 0.7 mi 4.3
Tiger Trades Academy La Junta 0.8 mi 6.2
La Junta Primary School La Junta 1.0 mi 7.7
Swink Elementary School Swink 5.3 mi 5.8
Swink Junior-Senior High School Swink 5.3 mi 6.7
Cheraw School Cheraw 9.1 mi 7.8
Jefferson Intermediate School Rocky Ford 10.9 mi 6.1
Washington Primary School Rocky Ford 11.0 mi 8.0
Rocky Ford Junior/Senior High School Rocky Ford 11.5 mi 6.5
Las Animas Elementary School Las Animas 17.8 mi 7.6
Jump Start Learning Center Las Animas 17.8 mi
Las Animas Junior High School Las Animas 17.9 mi 4.5
Las Animas High School Las Animas 18.0 mi 7.6
Crowley County Junior and Senior High School Ordway 20.6 mi 6.0
Crowley County Elementary K-6 Ordway 20.6 mi 5.6
Manzanola Elementary School Manzanola 19.9 mi 4.7
Manzanola Junior-Senior High School Manzanola 19.9 mi 4.7
Fowler Junior High School Fowler 28.6 mi 7.7
Fowler High School Fowler 28.6 mi 7.4
Fowler Elementary School Fowler 28.6 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 81050 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,072

Median Home Value

$181,500

Median Rent

$764/mo

Population

9,774

College Educated

19.3%

Homeownership

69.1%

Avg Commute

21.2 min

Poverty Rate

21.3%

Median Age

40.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding La Junta Intermediate School has a median household income of $60,072. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $181,500, with a median rent of $764/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 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
AVE MARIA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Parker, CO 7.1
Douglass Valley Elementary School Usaf Academy, CO 7.1
Eaton Elementary School Eaton, CO 7.1
Greenwood Elementary School Greenwood Village, CO 7.1
Horizons K-8 School Boulder, CO 7.1
Ignacio Elementary School Ignacio, CO 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about La Junta Intermediate School

What grades does La Junta Intermediate School serve?

La Junta Intermediate School serves students in grades 3rd through 6th.

How many students attend La Junta Intermediate School?

La Junta Intermediate School has an enrollment of approximately 405 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at La Junta Intermediate School?

The student-teacher ratio at La Junta Intermediate 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 Junta Intermediate School rank in CO?

La Junta Intermediate School is ranked #631 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is La Junta Intermediate School's MySchoolScout rating?

La Junta Intermediate 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 Junta Intermediate School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, La Junta Intermediate School has 9.8% math proficiency and 21.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is La Junta Intermediate School a charter school?

No, La Junta Intermediate School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is La Junta Intermediate School a Title I school?

No, La Junta Intermediate School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for La Junta Intermediate School?

84.2% of students at La Junta Intermediate 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

City Safety
High (7,519/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (La Junta). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
3rd – 6th
Enrollment
405
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
84.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Otero County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

East Otero School District No. R1
District Enrollment
1,326
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,582
District Rank
#2 of 4

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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