Excellent
#138 of 1,815 schools in CO
Top 8% in state
The Juniper School
Elementary School · Durango School District No. 9-R
PO BOX 655, Durango, CO 81302
Enrollment
169
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
169
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Colorado schools
#138 of 1,815
In Durango
#1 of 14
public schools
In district
#1 of 13
Durango School District No. 9-R
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around The Juniper 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
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
The Juniper School
Elementary School in Durango · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Escalante Middle School
1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Park Elementary School
1.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About The Juniper School
The Juniper School is a public elementary school in Durango, CO, part of Durango School District No. 9-R. The Juniper School serves approximately 169 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio. The Juniper School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #138 of 1,815 schools in CO.
Structured state assessment records for The Juniper School show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025).
- This school 8.6 · Excellent
- District avg 6.5
- CO avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
At 169 students, The Juniper 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.
The Juniper 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.
36% of students at The Juniper 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
The Juniper School — Students at The Juniper School score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
37.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 20 test records from CO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.8/10.
How The Juniper School Compares
See how The Juniper 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
PO BOX 655, Durango, CO 81302
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering The Juniper School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Park Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 1.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Riverview Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 3.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Needham Elementary School (rated 6.2/10, 3.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Durango, see our Durango schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Escalante Middle School Durango | 1.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Park Elementary School Durango | 1.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Southwest Colorado eSchool Durango | 2.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Durango Big Picture High School Durango | 2.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Colorado Connections Academy @ Durango Englewood | 2.3 mi | 6.8 |
| DURANGO MONTESSORI SCHOOL Durango | 2.5 mi | 5.3 |
| CHILDREN'S HOUSE OF DURANGO Durango | 2.8 mi | — |
| ST COLUMBA SCHOOL Durango | 2.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Durango High School Durango | 3.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Needham Elementary School Durango | 3.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Animas High School Durango | 2.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Miller Middle School Durango | 3.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Riverview Elementary School Durango | 3.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Mountain Middle School Durango | 3.9 mi | 8.5 |
| THE LIBERTY SCHOOL Durango | 4.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Florida Mesa Elementary School Durango | 4.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Sunnyside Elementary School Durango | 8.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Animas Valley Elementary School Durango | 11.3 mi | 4.8 |
| COLORADO TIMBERLINE ACADEMY Durango | 14.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School Hesperus | 15.0 mi | 6.0 |
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| North Fork Montessori @ Crawford Crawford, CO | 8.6 |
| Bergen Valley Intermediate School Evergreen, CO | 8.5 |
| Flatirons Elementary School Boulder, CO | 8.5 |
| Galeton Elementary School Galeton, CO | 8.5 |
| RICKS CENTER FOR GIFTED CHILDREN Denver, CO | 8.5 |
| Sangre de Cristo Elementary School Mosca, CO | 8.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about The Juniper School
What grades does The Juniper School serve?
The Juniper School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend The Juniper School?
The Juniper School has an enrollment of approximately 169 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at The Juniper School?
The student-teacher ratio at The Juniper School is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does The Juniper School rank in CO?
The Juniper School ranks #138 of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is The Juniper School's MySchoolScout rating?
The Juniper School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 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 The Juniper School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, The Juniper School has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025).
Is The Juniper School a charter school?
Yes, The Juniper School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is The Juniper School a Title I school?
No, The Juniper School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for The Juniper School?
37.9% of students at The Juniper 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 169
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 37.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- La Plata County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 36.1%
- Phone
- (970) 764-4185
Resources & Links
District
Durango School District No. 9-R- District Enrollment
- 5,146
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,729
- District Rank
- #1 of 13
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.