Very Good
#451 of 1,815 schools in CO
Top 25% 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
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
252
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Colorado schools
#451 of 1,815
In Paonia
#2 of 2
public schools
In district
#3 of 16
Delta County Joint District No. 50
Equity
9.3 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Paonia K-8?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Paonia K-8
Elementary School in Paonia · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
North Fork School of Integrated Studies
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Paonia Experiential Leadership Academy
2.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Paonia K-8
Paonia K-8 is a public elementary school in Paonia, CO, part of Delta County Joint District No. 50. Paonia K-8 serves approximately 252 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Paonia K-8 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #451 of 1,815 schools in CO.
Structured state assessment records for Paonia K-8 show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.6 · Very Good
- District avg 6.8
- CO avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
Paonia K-8 sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
34% of students at Paonia K-8 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
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 41 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: 7.5/10.
How Paonia K-8 Compares
See how Paonia K-8 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
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 8.6/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Crawford), which scores slightly higher. Another option is North Fork School of Integrated Studies (rated 8.2/10), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, POPE JOHN PAUL II ACADEMY (rated 6.5/10, 30.3 miles away, in nearby Montrose), a more accessible option. 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 | 8.2 |
| PAONIA EXPERIENTIAL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Paonia | 2.2 mi | — |
| North Fork High School Hotchkiss | 8.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Hotchkiss Elementary School Hotchkiss | 8.0 mi | 5.7 |
| North Fork Montessori @ Crawford Crawford | 11.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Cedaredge High School Cedaredge | 17.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Cedaredge Middle School Cedaredge | 17.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Cedaredge Elementary School Cedaredge | 17.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Johnson Elementary School Montrose | 29.2 mi | 3.7 |
| Marble Charter School Marble | 25.7 mi | 5.0 |
| POPE JOHN PAUL II ACADEMY Montrose | 30.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Olathe Middle/High School Olathe | 27.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Olathe Elementary School Olathe | 27.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Centennial Middle School Montrose | 30.6 mi | 6.0 |
| REDEEMER LUTHERAN SCHOOL & TINY TREASURES Delta | 26.2 mi | — |
| Grand Mesa Choice Academy Delta | 26.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Delta High School Delta | 26.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Peak Virtual Academy Montrose | 30.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Northside Elementary School Montrose | 30.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Columbine Middle School Montrose | 31.2 mi | 5.2 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Broadway Elementary School Grand Junction, CO | 7.6 |
| Fort Collins Montessori School Fort Collins, CO | 7.6 |
| La Junta Primary School La Junta, CO | 7.6 |
| Lincoln School of Science and Technology Canon City, CO | 7.6 |
| Normandy Elementary School Littleton, CO | 7.6 |
| Palmer Lake Elementary School Palmer Lake, CO | 7.6 |
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 ranks #451 of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Paonia K-8's MySchoolScout rating?
Paonia K-8 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 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 Paonia K-8?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Paonia K-8 has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 34.1%
- Phone
- (970) 527-3639
Resources & Links
District
Delta County Joint District No. 50- District Enrollment
- 4,489
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,843
- District Rank
- #3 of 16
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.