Southwest Open Charter School

Southwest Open Charter School is an alternative high school located in Cortez, Colorado. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has a student body of 134 and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.4:1 with ten full-time equivalent teachers. Southwest Open Charter focuses on providing flexible learning options to support diverse needs and offers an environment where students can thrive outside traditional educational settings.

The school’s academic performance is currently rated at 5.7 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 53rd percentile among Colorado schools. In terms of subject proficiency, Southwest Open Charter has 28% of its students meeting or exceeding state standards in ELA/Reading and 20% in Math. While these scores indicate areas for improvement, they also reflect the school’s commitment to fostering a supportive learning environment that focuses on student development and growth.

Southwest Open Charter School is situated in a remote town setting, offering a close-knit community feel where students can receive personalized attention and support.

With an enrollment of 134 students, Southwest Open 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.

Southwest Open 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.