Average
#744 of 1,815 schools in CO
Top 41% in state
Sanford Elementary School
Elementary School · Sanford School District No. 6 in the county of Conejos and
PO BOX 39, Sanford, CO 81151
Enrollment
235
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
235
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sanford
#1 of 2
public schools
Colorado elementary schools
#481 of 1,006
In district
#1 of 2
Sanford School District No. 6 in the county of Conejos and
Equity
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Sanford Elementary School
Sanford Elementary School is a small rural public school in Sanford, Colorado, serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 235 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 18.1:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each child thrive. The dedicated team includes 13 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support their students' educational journey.
Sanford Elementary School's academic performance is solid but has room for improvement. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks 673rd among Colorado schools, placing it in the 63rd percentile statewide. In terms of specific subject areas, 47% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 42% meet proficiency standards in Math.
The school is situated in a remote rural setting where close-knit community ties support student growth and development beyond the classroom walls.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Sanford Elementary School 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 metricsView breakdown
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Sanford Elementary School — Students at Sanford Elementary School score 46% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 15 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: 6.7/10.
How Sanford Elementary School Compares
See how Sanford Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 46.79% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 45.87% (2025).
Location
PO BOX 39, Sanford, CO 81151
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sanford Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Manassa Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Manassa), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bill Metz Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 25.9 miles away, in nearby Monte Vista), which scores notably higher. Additionally, La Jara Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby La Jara), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Sanford, see our Sanford schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 25.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sanford Junior/Senior High School Sanford | 0.0 mi | 4.9 |
| North Conejos Alternative Program Lajara | 2.9 mi | 5.4 |
| La Jara Elementary School La Jara | 2.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Centauri Middle School La Jara | 3.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Centauri High School La Jara | 3.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Manassa Elementary School Manassa | 6.1 mi | 8.7 |
| Alamosa Elementary School 3-5 Alamosa | 14.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Guadalupe Elementary School Antonito | 13.6 mi | 3.9 |
| Antonito High School Antonito | 13.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Antonito Middle School Antonito | 13.6 mi | — |
| Alamosa Elementary School K-2 Alamosa | 14.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Alamosa Online Alamosa | 15.0 mi | — |
| Alamosa Alternative Education School Alamosa | 15.0 mi | — |
| Ortega Middle School Alamosa | 15.2 mi | 5.3 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Alamosa | 15.2 mi | — |
| SUNSHINE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Alamosa | 15.4 mi | — |
| Alamosa High School Alamosa | 15.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Monte Vista Middle School Monte Vista | 24.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Marsh Elementary School Monte Vista | 25.6 mi | 4.2 |
| Bill Metz Elementary School Monte Vista | 25.9 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 81151 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$39,542
Median Home Value
$156,900
Median Rent
$764/mo
Population
1,445
College Educated
29%
Homeownership
73%
Avg Commute
27.3 min
Poverty Rate
11%
Median Age
45.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sanford Elementary School has a median household income of $39,542. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $156,900, with a median rent of $764/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.0%. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Bear Creek Elementary School Boulder, CO | 6.8 |
| Canon Exploratory School Canon City, CO | 6.8 |
| Cole Arts and Science Academy Denver, CO | 6.8 |
| Pomona Elementary School Montrose, CO | 6.8 |
| ST JAMES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Denver, CO | 6.8 |
| ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Greeley, CO | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sanford Elementary School
What grades does Sanford Elementary School serve?
Sanford Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Sanford Elementary School?
Sanford Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 235 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sanford Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Sanford Elementary School is 18.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sanford Elementary School rank in CO?
Sanford Elementary School is ranked #744 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Sanford Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Sanford Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Sanford Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sanford Elementary School has 42.1% math proficiency and 46.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sanford Elementary School a charter school?
No, Sanford Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sanford Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Sanford Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sanford Elementary School?
67.7% of students at Sanford 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.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 235
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 67.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Conejos County
- Phone
- (719) 274-5167
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Sanford School District No. 6 in the county of Conejos and- District Enrollment
- 399
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,917
- District Rank
- #1 of 2
Other Schools in This District
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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