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Average

#125 of 188 private schools in CO

Lighthouse Christian Academy

School

11502 HWY 145, Cortez, CO 81321

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on CO statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

54

Student-Teacher

7.7:1

Score

5.9

Grades

Pre-K – 11th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#42 of 59

About Lighthouse Christian Academy

Lighthouse Christian Academy serves 54 students from pre-kindergarten through 11th grade in Cortez, Colorado. This small school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 7.7:1 with seven full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment where students receive individualized attention. The school earns a solid 8.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #122 out of 188 schools statewide, placing it in the 36th percentile among Colorado schools.

This performance reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education in a personalized setting where every student is known by name. Located on Highway 145, Lighthouse Christian Academy sits in the heart of Montezuma County's rural landscape. The surrounding community of ZIP code 81321 is home to nearly 15,000 residents with a median household income of $59,571 and median home values around $248,100.

About 28% of local adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains relatively low at 12.1%. The school's rural setting near Cortez offers students a close-knit community atmosphere where family values and academic growth go hand in hand, surrounded by the natural beauty of southwestern Colorado's high desert country.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 54 students, Lighthouse Christian 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.7:1, Lighthouse Christian Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Lighthouse Christian Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Lighthouse Christian Academy compares to 9 public schools serving similar grades in Cortez, CO

Student-Teacher Ratio
7.7:1
This School
vs
14.4:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
54
This School
vs
275
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
5.9
This School
vs
6.3
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 94.4% vs 0%
Black 1.9% vs 0%
Hispanic 1.9% vs 0%
Lighthouse Christian Academy Cortez Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Lighthouse Christian Academy (this school) 5.9
Southwest Open Charter School 7.2
Children's Kiva Montessori School 7.6
Kemper Elementary School 5.0
Beech Street Preschool 5.0
Montezuma-Cortez High School 5.6
Montezuma-Cortez Middle School 6.0
Mesa Elementary School 4.1
Lewis-Arriola Elementary School 9.0
Battle Rock Charter School 6.8

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CO.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 7.5 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 7.7:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 9.4 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,376
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C- 2.3 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 8%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.2 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 54
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in CO

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 94.4%
Black 1.9%
Hispanic 1.9%
Native American 1.9%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

11502 HWY 145, Cortez, CO 81321

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lighthouse Christian Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. Lewis-Arriola Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 8.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Children's Kiva Montessori School (rated 7.6/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Southwest Open Charter School (rated 7.2/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cortez, see our Cortez schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Southwest Open Charter School Cortez 1.7 mi 7.2
Children's Kiva Montessori School Cortez 2.0 mi 7.6
Montezuma-Cortez High School Cortez 2.4 mi 5.6
Kemper Elementary School Cortez 2.3 mi 5.0
Beech Street Preschool Cortez 2.3 mi 5.0
Montezuma-Cortez Middle School Cortez 3.0 mi 6.0
CORTEZ ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Cortez 3.2 mi
Mesa Elementary School Cortez 3.5 mi 4.1
Dolores Elementary School Dolores 7.5 mi 5.9
Dolores High School Dolores 7.5 mi 5.3
Dolores Middle School Dolores 7.5 mi 7.2
Teddy Bear Preschool Dolores 7.7 mi 5.4
Lewis-Arriola Elementary School Cortez 8.5 mi 9.0
Kwiyagat Community Academy Tawoac 15.7 mi 4.7
Mancos Middle School Mancos 14.5 mi 5.5
Mancos High School Mancos 14.5 mi 4.4
Mancos Elementary School Mancos 14.6 mi 6.6
Mancos Early Learning Center Mancos 14.6 mi 5.2
Battle Rock Charter School Cortez 16.0 mi 6.8
Pleasant View Charter School Pleasant View 18.7 mi 4.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 81321 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,737

Median Home Value

$259,500

Median Rent

$1,010/mo

Population

14,278

College Educated

27.6%

Homeownership

71.4%

Poverty Rate

11.9%

Median Age

42.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Lighthouse Christian Academy has a median household income of $59,737. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $259,500, with a median rent of $1,010/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.9%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Pawnee School PK-12 Grover, CO 5.9
THE LIBERTY SCHOOL Durango, CO 5.9
CANON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Canon City, CO 6.0
SIERRA SCHOOL OF MAIN STREET Longmont, CO 5.7
PAGOSA VALOR ACADEMY Pagosa Springs, CO 5.6
Branson School Branson, CO 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lighthouse Christian Academy

What grades does Lighthouse Christian Academy serve?

Lighthouse Christian Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 11th.

How many students attend Lighthouse Christian Academy?

Lighthouse Christian Academy has an enrollment of approximately 54 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lighthouse Christian Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Lighthouse Christian Academy is 7.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Lighthouse Christian Academy rank in CO?

Lighthouse Christian Academy is ranked #125 out of 188 private schools in CO.

What is Lighthouse Christian Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Lighthouse Christian Academy has a composite rating of 5.9 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.

Is Lighthouse Christian Academy a private school?

Yes, Lighthouse Christian Academy is a private coeducational school with a Baptist affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Lighthouse Christian Academy a religious school?

Lighthouse Christian Academy has a Baptist religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,421/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 11th
Enrollment
54
Gender Split
50% M / 50% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Baptist
School Day
8 hours
Days Per Year
172 days
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
MONTEZUMA
Data Year
2022–2023

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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