Excellent
#202 of 1,815 schools in CO
Top 11% in state
Needham Elementary School
Elementary School · Durango School District No. 9-R
2425 WEST THIRD AVENUE, Durango, CO 81301
Enrollment
347
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
347
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Durango
#5 of 14
public schools
Colorado elementary schools
#162 of 1,006
In district
#6 of 13
Durango School District No. 9-R
Academic growth
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Needham Elementary School
Needham Elementary School is a public elementary school in Durango, CO, part of the Durango School District No. 9-R. The school serves approximately 347 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 12:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 88.9th percentile among CO schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 31% proficiency in math, 8 points below the state average and 47% in reading/language arts, 2 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.6/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $83,209, where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant town setting.
Score Breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Needham Elementary School — Students at Needham Elementary School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46.1%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.6/10.
How Needham Elementary School Compares
See how Needham Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 33.53% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 50% (2025).
Location
2425 WEST THIRD AVENUE, Durango, CO 81301
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Needham Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Riverview Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Park Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 16.7 miles away, in nearby Hesperus), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Durango, see our Durango schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Miller Middle School Durango | 0.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Durango High School Durango | 0.3 mi | 7.6 |
| ST COLUMBA SCHOOL Durango | 0.5 mi | 5.8 |
| CHILDREN'S HOUSE OF DURANGO Durango | 0.6 mi | — |
| Mountain Middle School Durango | 0.7 mi | 7.4 |
| THE LIBERTY SCHOOL Durango | 0.8 mi | 5.9 |
| DURANGO MONTESSORI SCHOOL Durango | 0.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Riverview Elementary School Durango | 0.9 mi | 9.1 |
| Southwest Colorado eSchool Durango | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Durango Big Picture High School Durango | 1.5 mi | 8.4 |
| Colorado Connections Academy @ Durango Englewood | 1.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Park Elementary School Durango | 1.6 mi | 9.0 |
| Animas High School Durango | 2.7 mi | 6.7 |
| The Juniper School Durango | 3.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Escalante Middle School Durango | 4.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Florida Mesa Elementary School Durango | 6.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Animas Valley Elementary School Durango | 8.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Sunnyside Elementary School Durango | 11.6 mi | 6.0 |
| COLORADO TIMBERLINE ACADEMY Durango | 11.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School Hesperus | 16.7 mi | 9.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 81301 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$83,209
Median Home Value
$634,900
Median Rent
$1,433/mo
Population
29,892
College Educated
57.8%
Homeownership
65.3%
Avg Commute
17.1 min
Poverty Rate
14.5%
Median Age
41.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Needham Elementary School has a median household income of $83,209. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $634,900, with a median rent of $1,433/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.5%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| Chipeta Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO | 8.2 |
| Columbine Elementary School Denver, CO | 8.2 |
| Cougar Run Elementary School Highlands Ranch, CO | 8.2 |
| Foothill Elementary School Boulder, CO | 8.2 |
| Highlands Elementary School Erie, CO | 8.2 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Denver, CO | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Needham Elementary School
What grades does Needham Elementary School serve?
Needham Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Needham Elementary School?
Needham Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 347 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Needham Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Needham Elementary School is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Needham Elementary School rank in CO?
Needham Elementary School is ranked #202 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Needham Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Needham Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Needham Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Needham Elementary School has 31.1% math proficiency and 47.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Needham Elementary School a charter school?
No, Needham Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Needham Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Needham Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Needham Elementary School?
46.1% of students at Needham 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 347
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 46.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- La Plata County
- Phone
- (970) 247-4791
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Durango School District No. 9-R- District Enrollment
- 5,146
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,729
- District Rank
- #6 of 13
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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