Average
#927 of 1,815 schools in CO
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
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
347
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Colorado schools
#927 of 1,815
In Durango
#12 of 14
public schools
In district
#10 of 13
Durango School District No. 9-R
School environment
8.9 / 10
Excellent
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Needham Elementary School
Elementary School in Durango · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Miller Middle School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Durango High School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Needham Elementary School
Needham Elementary School is a public elementary school in Durango, CO, part of Durango School District No. 9-R. Needham Elementary School serves approximately 347 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12:1 student-teacher ratio. Needham Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #927 of 1,815 schools in CO.
Structured state assessment records for Needham Elementary School show 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.2 · Average
- District avg 6.5
- CO avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
33% of students at Needham Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 35 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: 4.6/10.
How Needham Elementary School Compares
See how Needham Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. The Juniper School (rated 8.6/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Park Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Riverview Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably 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 | 6.4 |
| Durango High School Durango | 0.3 mi | 7.8 |
| 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 | 8.5 |
| 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 | 7.6 |
| Southwest Colorado eSchool Durango | 1.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Durango Big Picture High School Durango | 1.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Colorado Connections Academy @ Durango Englewood | 1.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Park Elementary School Durango | 1.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Animas High School Durango | 2.7 mi | 7.2 |
| The Juniper School Durango | 3.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Escalante Middle School Durango | 4.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Florida Mesa Elementary School Durango | 6.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Animas Valley Elementary School Durango | 8.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Sunnyside Elementary School Durango | 11.6 mi | 4.2 |
| COLORADO TIMBERLINE ACADEMY Durango | 11.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School Hesperus | 16.7 mi | 6.0 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cedar Ridge Elementary School Pueblo West, CO | 6.2 |
| Centennial Academy of Fine Arts Education Littleton, CO | 6.2 |
| Colfax Elementary School Denver, CO | 6.2 |
| Colorado Virtual Academy Lakewood, CO | 6.2 |
| Florida Mesa Elementary School Durango, CO | 6.2 |
| Green Gables Elementary School Lakewood, CO | 6.2 |
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 ranks #927 of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Needham Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Needham Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Needham Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Needham Elementary School has 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.9%
- Phone
- (970) 247-4791
Resources & Links
District
Durango School District No. 9-R- District Enrollment
- 5,146
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,729
- District Rank
- #10 of 13
Other Schools in This District
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