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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.9Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.53 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.0Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.4%
Math vs. State Avg+6.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+19.5 pts
Overall Proficiency54%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected+20.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.3Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,649

Paonia K-8 — Students at Paonia K-8 score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 45.2%
School
State
37.4%
ELA Proficiency 64.2%
School
State
45.5%

Based on 19 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
47%
2025
Math
44.5%
ELA
63.3%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.9/10
62th percentile in CO
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
5.9/10
Above average
Environment
6.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
54 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
56 Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,300/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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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