Below Average
#1672 of 1,815 schools in CO
La Junta Jr/sr High School
High School · East Otero School District No. R1
1817 SMITHLAND AVE, La Junta, CO 81050
Enrollment
504
Student-Teacher
18.7:1
Score
4.3
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
504
Student-Teacher
18.7:1
Score
4.3
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In La Junta
#4 of 4
public schools
Colorado high schools
#376 of 403
In district
#4 of 4
East Otero School District No. R1
About La Junta Jr/sr High School
La Junta Jr/Sr High School is a regular public school located in the remote town of La Junta, Colorado. The school serves students from seventh grade through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 504 students with a student-teacher ratio of 18.7:1. There are 27 full-time equivalent teachers working to support this diverse group of learners.
The academic performance at La Junta Jr/Sr High School is currently rated 2.9 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, ranking it at the 9th percentile among Colorado schools. Students show proficiency rates in ELA and reading at around 30% and in math at only 9%, indicating areas where improvement could be made. Despite these challenges, La Junta Jr/Sr High School continues to focus on supporting its students in a remote setting where community bonds are strong.
The school is an integral part of the local community, providing education and resources for young people who may have fewer educational options otherwise available to them.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at La Junta Jr/sr High 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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La Junta Jr/sr High School — Students at La Junta Jr/sr High School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
74.2%
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
↓ 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: 6.0/10.
How La Junta Jr/sr High School Compares
See how La Junta Jr/sr High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 2.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 28% (2019) to 32% (2021).
Location
1817 SMITHLAND AVE, La Junta, CO 81050
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering La Junta Jr/sr High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Las Animas High School (rated 7.6/10, 18.2 miles away, in nearby Las Animas), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fowler High School (rated 7.4/10, 28.9 miles away, in nearby Fowler), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Swink Junior-Senior High School (rated 6.7/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Swink), which scores notably higher. For more schools in La Junta, see our La Junta schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 28.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| La Junta Intermediate School La Junta | 0.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Tiger Trades Academy La Junta | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| La Junta Primary School La Junta | 1.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Swink Elementary School Swink | 5.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Swink Junior-Senior High School Swink | 5.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Cheraw School Cheraw | 9.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Jefferson Intermediate School Rocky Ford | 11.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Washington Primary School Rocky Ford | 11.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Rocky Ford Junior/Senior High School Rocky Ford | 11.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Las Animas Elementary School Las Animas | 18.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Jump Start Learning Center Las Animas | 18.0 mi | — |
| Las Animas Junior High School Las Animas | 18.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Las Animas High School Las Animas | 18.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Crowley County Junior and Senior High School Ordway | 21.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Crowley County Elementary K-6 Ordway | 21.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Manzanola Elementary School Manzanola | 20.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Manzanola Junior-Senior High School Manzanola | 20.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Fowler Junior High School Fowler | 28.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Fowler High School Fowler | 28.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Fowler Elementary School Fowler | 28.9 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 Jr/sr High 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 |
|---|---|
| Union Colony Preparatory School Greeley, CO | 4.3 |
| Achieve Online Colorado Springs, CO | 4.2 |
| Village High School Colorado Springs, CO | 4.2 |
| Atlas Preparatory High School Colorado Springs, CO | 4.5 |
| Lake County High School Leadville, CO | 4.5 |
| Bruce Randolph School Denver, CO | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about La Junta Jr/sr High School
What grades does La Junta Jr/sr High School serve?
La Junta Jr/sr High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend La Junta Jr/sr High School?
La Junta Jr/sr High School has an enrollment of approximately 504 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at La Junta Jr/sr High School?
The student-teacher ratio at La Junta Jr/sr High School is 18.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does La Junta Jr/sr High School rank in CO?
La Junta Jr/sr High School is ranked #1672 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is La Junta Jr/sr High School's MySchoolScout rating?
La Junta Jr/sr High School has a composite rating of 4.3 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 La Junta Jr/sr High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, La Junta Jr/sr High School has 8.8% math proficiency and 30.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is La Junta Jr/sr High School a charter school?
No, La Junta Jr/sr High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is La Junta Jr/sr High School a Title I school?
No, La Junta Jr/sr High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for La Junta Jr/sr High School?
74.2% of students at La Junta Jr/sr High 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
- 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
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 504
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 74.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Otero County
- Phone
- (719) 384-4467
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
East Otero School District No. R1- District Enrollment
- 1,326
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,582
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
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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