Average
#1057 of 1,815 schools in CO
Southwest Open Charter School
High School · Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1
P O BOX DD, Cortez, CO 81321
Enrollment
134
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
5.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
134
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
5.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Colorado schools
#1,057 of 1,815
In Cortez
#3 of 9
public schools
In district
#3 of 10
Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Southwest Open Charter School?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
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Southwest Open Charter School
High School in Cortez · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Montezuma-cortez High School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Children's Kiva Montessori School
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Southwest Open Charter School
Southwest Open Charter School is a public high school in Cortez, CO, part of Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1. Southwest Open Charter School serves approximately 134 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 13.4:1 student-teacher ratio.
Southwest Open Charter School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,057 of 1,815 schools in CO. Structured state assessment records for Southwest Open Charter School show 16% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).
- This school 5.8 · Average
- District avg 5.7
- CO avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
At 134 students, Southwest Open Charter School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Southwest Open Charter School is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.
76% of students at Southwest Open Charter School 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Southwest Open Charter School — Students at Southwest Open Charter School score 28% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 27 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: 9.1/10.
How Southwest Open Charter School Compares
See how Southwest Open Charter School 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 DD, Cortez, CO 81321
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southwest Open Charter School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Mancos High School (rated 6.3/10, 14.4 miles away, in nearby Mancos), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Montezuma-Cortez High School (rated 5.5/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Dolores High School (rated 3.9/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Dolores), a more accessible option. For more schools in Cortez, see our Cortez schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 20.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Montezuma-Cortez High School Cortez | 0.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Children's Kiva Montessori School Cortez | 1.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Kemper Elementary School Cortez | 1.2 mi | 5.5 |
| LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cortez | 1.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Beech Street Preschool Cortez | 1.6 mi | 3.4 |
| Montezuma-Cortez Middle School Cortez | 2.1 mi | 5.0 |
| CORTEZ ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Cortez | 2.2 mi | — |
| Mesa Elementary School Cortez | 2.4 mi | 3.7 |
| Dolores Elementary School Dolores | 9.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Dolores High School Dolores | 9.1 mi | 3.9 |
| Dolores Middle School Dolores | 9.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Teddy Bear Preschool Dolores | 9.2 mi | 3.7 |
| Lewis-Arriola Elementary School Cortez | 9.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Kwiyagat Community Academy Tawoac | 14.3 mi | 4.0 |
| Mancos Middle School Mancos | 14.4 mi | 3.4 |
| Mancos High School Mancos | 14.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Mancos Elementary School Mancos | 14.5 mi | 3.8 |
| Mancos Early Learning Center Mancos | 14.5 mi | 3.4 |
| Battle Rock Charter School Cortez | 15.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Pleasant View Charter School Pleasant View | 20.0 mi | 3.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 81321 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,737
Median Home Value
$259,500
Median Rent
$1,010/mo
Population
14,278
College Educated
27.6%
Homeownership
71.4%
Poverty Rate
11.9%
Median Age
42.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Eagle Academy Lone Tree, CO | 5.7 |
| Elbert Junior-Senior High School Elbert, CO | 5.7 |
| La Veta Junior-Senior High School La Veta, CO | 5.7 |
| Manzanola Junior-Senior High School Manzanola, CO | 5.7 |
| Boulder Prep Charter High School Boulder, CO | 5.9 |
| Haxtun Jr/Sr High School Haxtun, CO | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southwest Open Charter School
What grades does Southwest Open Charter School serve?
Southwest Open Charter School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Southwest Open Charter School?
Southwest Open Charter School has an enrollment of approximately 134 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwest Open Charter School?
The student-teacher ratio at Southwest Open Charter School is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southwest Open Charter School rank in CO?
Southwest Open Charter School ranks #1,057 of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Southwest Open Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?
Southwest Open Charter School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 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 Southwest Open Charter School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Southwest Open Charter School has 16% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).
Is Southwest Open Charter School a charter school?
Yes, Southwest Open Charter School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Southwest Open Charter School a Title I school?
No, Southwest Open Charter School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southwest Open Charter School?
81.3% of students at Southwest Open Charter 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.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 134
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.3%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Montezuma County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 76.1%
- Phone
- (970) 565-1150
- 4-Year Graduation
- 34.5%
Resources & Links
District
Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1- District Enrollment
- 2,505
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,684
- District Rank
- #3 of 10
How we rate schools
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