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Very Good

#313 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 17% in state

Salida Montessori Charter School

Elementary School · State Charter School Institute

1040 I STREET, Salida, CO 81201

Charter

Enrollment

151

Student-Teacher

11.6:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Salida

#4 of 7

public schools

Colorado elementary schools

#245 of 1,006

In district

#3 of 39

State Charter School Institute

Academic growth

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Salida Montessori Charter School

Salida Montessori Charter School is a charter school located in the charming town of Salida, Colorado. With an enrollment of 151 students from pre-K through eighth grade, the school offers a unique Montessori education approach tailored to each child's individual needs. The student-teacher ratio of 11.6:1 ensures that students receive personalized attention and support.

Salida Montessori Charter School places a strong emphasis on community engagement and hands-on learning experiences. Despite its small size, the school boasts a dedicated team of 13 full-time equivalent teachers who are committed to fostering a nurturing environment for every student. The school’s MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 reflects its solid academic performance, particularly in English Language Arts (ELA) where 61% of students meet or exceed proficiency standards.

In math, the school is focusing on areas with room for improvement, as only 28% of students are proficient. Salida Montessori Charter School is situated in a remote town surrounded by natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. This setting provides a rich backdrop for experiential learning activities that complement traditional classroom instruction.

The school’s commitment to holistic education makes it a welcoming place for families seeking a supportive community environment.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 151 students, Salida Montessori Charter School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Salida Montessori Charter School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.29 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.0Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency33.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.8%
Math vs. State Avg-2.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15.9 pts
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)62%
vs. Expected-15.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,869

Salida Montessori Charter School — Students at Salida Montessori Charter School score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 27.7%
School
State
38.3%
ELA Proficiency 61.4%
School
State
45.8%

Based on 15 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
24.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
69.5%
2022
Math
22%
2025
Math
32.9%
ELA
61.1%

* 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: 8.7/10.

How Salida Montessori Charter School Compares

See how Salida Montessori Charter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
83th percentile in CO
Academic
6.0/10
6.0/10
Growth
8.7/10
Above average
Environment
8.1/10
Above average

Location

1040 I STREET, Salida, CO 81201

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Salida Montessori Charter School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Longfellow Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Avery/Parsons Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 22.7 miles away, in nearby Buena Vista), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Cotopaxi Elementary School (rated 6.1/10, 20.0 miles away, in nearby Cotopaxi), a more accessible option. For more schools in Salida, see our Salida schools guide .

Nearby Schools

17 within 30.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Longfellow Elementary School Salida 0.2 mi 8.5
Horizons Exploratory Academy Salida 0.4 mi 8.3
Salida High School Salida 0.5 mi 5.5
Salida Middle School Salida 0.5 mi 8.4
Salida Early Childhood Center Salida 0.6 mi 7.3
Crest Academy Salida 1.1 mi 7.8
Buena Vista High School Buena Vista 22.2 mi 5.2
Buena Vista Middle School Buena Vista 22.2 mi 7.3
DARREN PATTERSON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Buena Vista 22.2 mi 5.6
Chaffee County High School Buena Vista 22.6 mi
Avery/Parsons Elementary School Buena Vista 22.7 mi 6.9
The Grove BVSD's Early Learning Program Buena Vista 22.7 mi 5.0
Cotopaxi Elementary School Cotopaxi 20.0 mi 6.1
Cotopaxi Junior-Senior High School Cotopaxi 20.0 mi 5.2
THE LINK SCHOOL Buena Vista 27.2 mi
Mountain Valley School Saguache 31.6 mi 7.8
Guffey Charter School Guffey 30.2 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 81201 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,850

Median Home Value

$631,700

Median Rent

$1,614/mo

Population

9,561

College Educated

52.1%

Homeownership

68.6%

Avg Commute

18.5 min

Poverty Rate

13.3%

Median Age

46.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Salida Montessori Charter School has a median household income of $70,850. It is a well-educated community where 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $631,700, with a median rent of $1,614/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
Gilcrest Elementary School Gilcrest, CO 7.8
Larkspur Elementary School Larkspur, CO 7.8
ST THERESE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Pueblo, CO 7.8
Sherrelwood Elementary School Denver, CO 7.8
Steamboat Montessori Steamboat Springs, CO 7.8
Wm E Bishop Elementary School Englewood, CO 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Salida Montessori Charter School

What grades does Salida Montessori Charter School serve?

Salida Montessori Charter School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Salida Montessori Charter School?

Salida Montessori Charter School has an enrollment of approximately 151 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Salida Montessori Charter School?

The student-teacher ratio at Salida Montessori Charter School is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Salida Montessori Charter School rank in CO?

Salida Montessori Charter School is ranked #313 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Salida Montessori Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?

Salida Montessori Charter School has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Salida Montessori Charter School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Salida Montessori Charter School has 27.7% math proficiency and 61.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Salida Montessori Charter School a charter school?

Yes, Salida Montessori Charter School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Salida Montessori Charter School a Title I school?

No, Salida Montessori Charter School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
48 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
85 Very Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (804/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
151
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Chaffee County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

State Charter School Institute
District Enrollment
19,593
Schools in District
44
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,197
District Rank
#3 of 39

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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