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Below Average

#1562 of 1,815 schools in CO

Sunnyside Elementary School

Elementary School · Durango School District No. 9-R

75 CR 218, Durango, CO 81303

Enrollment

108

Student-Teacher

10.8:1

Score

4.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,562 of 1,815

In Durango

#14 of 14

public schools

In district

#13 of 13

Durango School District No. 9-R

School environment

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Sunnyside Elementary School

4.2/10

Elementary School in Durango · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Escalante Middle School

6.5/10

7.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

The Juniper School

8.6/10

8.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Sunnyside Elementary School

Sunnyside Elementary School is a public elementary school in Durango, CO, part of Durango School District No. 9-R. Sunnyside Elementary School serves approximately 108 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 10.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Sunnyside Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,562 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Sunnyside Elementary School show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.3 pts below district
  • This school 4.2 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.5
  • CO avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

At 108 students, Sunnyside Elementary 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.

Sunnyside Elementary School 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.0Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-5.33 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21.1% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency31.6% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg-15.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-13.3 pts
Overall Proficiency26% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected-13.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
Resources & Environment9.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,729
Chronic Absenteeism26.9%

Sunnyside Elementary School — Students at Sunnyside Elementary School score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 46.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
36.1% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 62.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
44.9% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 29 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
97.5%
ELA
97.5%
2010
Math
97.5%
ELA
97.5%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
24.5%
2025
Math
21.1%
ELA
31.6%

* 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: 2.0/10.

How Sunnyside Elementary School Compares

See how Sunnyside Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
14th percentile in CO
Academic
4.3/10
Below Average
Growth
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.3/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
26.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

75 CR 218, Durango, CO 81303

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sunnyside Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. The Juniper School (rated 8.6/10, 8.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Park Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 10.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Riverview Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 11.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Durango, see our Durango schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Escalante Middle School Durango 7.2 mi 6.5
The Juniper School Durango 8.3 mi 8.6
Florida Mesa Elementary School Durango 8.1 mi 6.2
Park Elementary School Durango 10.0 mi 8.4
Southwest Colorado eSchool Durango 10.4 mi 7.5
Durango Big Picture High School Durango 10.5 mi 7.4
Colorado Connections Academy @ Durango Englewood 10.5 mi 6.8
Animas High School Durango 10.5 mi 7.2
DURANGO MONTESSORI SCHOOL Durango 10.7 mi 5.3
CHILDREN'S HOUSE OF DURANGO Durango 11.1 mi
ST COLUMBA SCHOOL Durango 11.1 mi 5.8
Durango High School Durango 11.5 mi 7.8
Needham Elementary School Durango 11.6 mi 6.2
Riverview Elementary School Durango 11.9 mi 7.6
Miller Middle School Durango 11.9 mi 6.4
Mountain Middle School Durango 12.2 mi 8.5
THE LIBERTY SCHOOL Durango 12.4 mi 5.9
Ignacio Middle School Ignacio 12.3 mi 6.9
Ignacio Elementary School Ignacio 12.4 mi 5.1
Ignacio High School Ignacio 12.5 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 81303 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$94,565

Median Home Value

$535,800

Median Rent

$1,424/mo

Population

9,696

College Educated

34.8%

Homeownership

71.9%

Avg Commute

21.8 min

Poverty Rate

11.2%

Median Age

39.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
James Madison Charter Academy School Colorado Springs, CO 4.2
LORD OF LIFE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Thornton, CO 4.3
Cheyenne Wells Elementary School Cheyenne Wells, CO 4.1
La Veta Elementary School La Veta, CO 4.1
Prairie Heights Elementary School Fountain, CO 4.1
Manzanola Elementary School Manzanola, CO 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sunnyside Elementary School

What grades does Sunnyside Elementary School serve?

Sunnyside Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Sunnyside Elementary School?

Sunnyside Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 108 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sunnyside Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sunnyside Elementary School is 10.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sunnyside Elementary School rank in CO?

Sunnyside Elementary School ranks #1,562 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Sunnyside Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sunnyside Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 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 Sunnyside Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sunnyside Elementary School has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Sunnyside Elementary School a charter school?

No, Sunnyside Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Sunnyside Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Sunnyside Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sunnyside Elementary School?

45.4% of students at Sunnyside 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
108
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
45.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
La Plata County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
26.9%

District

Durango School District No. 9-R
District Enrollment
5,146
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,729
District Rank
#13 of 13

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