Average
#690 of 1,815 schools in CO
Top 38% in state
Paonia K-8
Elementary School · Delta County Joint District No. 50
P O BOX 1179, Paonia, CO 81428
Enrollment
252
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
252
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Paonia
#2 of 2
public schools
Colorado elementary schools
#451 of 1,006
In district
#7 of 16
Delta County Joint District No. 50
Equity
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Paonia K-8
Paonia K-8 serves 252 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in this close-knit rural Colorado community. With 16 full-time teachers maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1, the school provides personalized attention that helps students thrive academically. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.2 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 83rd percentile statewide at #318 out of 1,831 Colorado schools.
Students achieve solid results in mathematics, with 47% scoring proficient or above across grade levels. The school's academic score of 8.2 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence despite its remote location. Paonia K-8 draws families from a stable community where the median household income reaches $76,910 and 40% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 11.5%, contributing to a supportive educational environment. With median home values around $334,200, the neighborhood reflects the agricultural heritage and growing appeal of this western Colorado region. Located in Delta County's remote rural setting, Paonia K-8 offers students the advantages of small-school learning within a scenic mountain valley community known for its orchards, vineyards, and outdoor recreation opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Paonia K-8 may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Paonia K-8 — Students at Paonia K-8 score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 19 test records from CO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 5.9/10.
How Paonia K-8 Compares
See how Paonia K-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 42.86% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 64.37% (2025).
Location
P O BOX 1179, Paonia, CO 81428
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Paonia K-8 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Fork Montessori @ Crawford (rated 8.2/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Crawford), which scores notably higher. Another option is North Fork School of Integrated Studies (rated 7.3/10), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Cedaredge Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 17.9 miles away, in nearby Cedaredge), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Paonia, see our Paonia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 31.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| North Fork School of Integrated Studies Paonia | 0.0 mi | 7.3 |
| PAONIA EXPERIENTIAL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Paonia | 2.2 mi | — |
| North Fork High School Hotchkiss | 8.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Hotchkiss Elementary School Hotchkiss | 8.0 mi | 6.6 |
| North Fork Montessori @ Crawford Crawford | 11.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Cedaredge High School Cedaredge | 17.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Cedaredge Middle School Cedaredge | 17.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Cedaredge Elementary School Cedaredge | 17.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Johnson Elementary School Montrose | 29.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Marble Charter School Marble | 25.7 mi | 6.5 |
| POPE JOHN PAUL II ACADEMY Montrose | 30.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Olathe Middle/High School Olathe | 27.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Olathe Elementary School Olathe | 27.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Centennial Middle School Montrose | 30.6 mi | 5.6 |
| REDEEMER LUTHERAN SCHOOL & TINY TREASURES Delta | 26.2 mi | — |
| Grand Mesa Choice Academy Delta | 26.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Delta High School Delta | 26.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Peak Virtual Academy Montrose | 30.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Northside Elementary School Montrose | 30.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Columbine Middle School Montrose | 31.2 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 81428 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$76,964
Median Home Value
$371,400
Median Rent
$1,007/mo
Population
3,767
College Educated
38.6%
Homeownership
79.4%
Poverty Rate
11.6%
Median Age
50.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Paonia K-8 has a median household income of $76,964. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $371,400, with a median rent of $1,007/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alice Terry Elementary School Englewood, CO | 6.9 |
| Eva R Baca Elementary School Pueblo, CO | 6.9 |
| FRASSATI CATHOLIC ACADEMY Thornton, CO | 6.9 |
| Hallett Academy Denver, CO | 6.9 |
| Mount View Core Knowledge Charter School Canon City, CO | 6.9 |
| OUR LADY OF LORETO SCHOOL Foxfield, CO | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Paonia K-8
What grades does Paonia K-8 serve?
Paonia K-8 serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Paonia K-8?
Paonia K-8 has an enrollment of approximately 252 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Paonia K-8?
The student-teacher ratio at Paonia K-8 is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Paonia K-8 rank in CO?
Paonia K-8 is ranked #690 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Paonia K-8's MySchoolScout rating?
Paonia K-8 has a composite rating of 6.9 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.
What are the test scores at Paonia K-8?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Paonia K-8 has 45.2% math proficiency and 64.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Paonia K-8 a charter school?
No, Paonia K-8 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Paonia K-8 a Title I school?
No, Paonia K-8 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Paonia K-8?
57.5% of students at Paonia K-8 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 252
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 57.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Delta County
- Phone
- (970) 527-3639
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Delta County Joint District No. 50- District Enrollment
- 4,489
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,843
- District Rank
- #7 of 16
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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