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Average

#89 of 188 private schools in CO

Top 47% of private schools

Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork

Elementary School

16543 HWY 82, Carbondale, CO 81623

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on CO statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

159

Student-Teacher

6.2:1

Score

6.6

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Carbondale

#2 of 2

public schools

Colorado elementary schools

#44 of 104

About Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork

Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork serves 159 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Carbondale, Colorado. This regular public elementary school maintains an exceptionally small student-teacher ratio of 6.2 to 1 with 26 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and close relationships between educators and students. The school earns a solid MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10, though it ranks #128 out of 188 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 32nd percentile among Colorado schools.

This suggests the school is working to strengthen its academic programs while providing individualized support to its students. Located at 16543 Highway 82, the school serves a well-educated and affluent community where half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $98,549. The area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 10 percent, with median home values of $733,900 reflecting the desirable Colorado mountain location.

The school's rural setting near Carbondale provides students with access to the natural beauty of the Roaring Fork Valley, offering unique opportunities for outdoor learning and environmental education in one of Colorado's most scenic regions.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 159 students, Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 6.2:1, Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork compares to the 6 public schools in Carbondale, CO

Student-Teacher Ratio
6.2:1
This School
vs
15.2:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
159
This School
vs
281
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.6
This School
vs
5.7
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 90.6% vs 0%
Hispanic 7.5% vs 0%
Asian 1.9% vs 0%
Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork Carbondale Public Avg

All Schools in Carbondale

School Rating
Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork (this school) 6.6
Crystal River Elementary School 6.1
Roaring Fork High School 5.8
Carbondale Middle School 6.9
Bridges 5.6
Ross Montessori School 5.7
Carbondale Community Charter School 4.2

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CO.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 8.8 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 6.2:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.0 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,169
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C+ 3.9 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 17%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.4 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 159
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in CO

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 90.6%
Hispanic 7.5%
Asian 1.9%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

16543 HWY 82, Carbondale, CO 81623

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sopris Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Glenwood Springs), which scores notably higher. Another option is Glenwood Springs Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 13.9 miles away, in nearby Glenwood Springs), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Two Rivers Community School (rated 6.9/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Glenwood Springs), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Carbondale, see our Carbondale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Crystal River Elementary School Carbondale 3.6 mi 6.1
Roaring Fork High School Carbondale 3.6 mi 5.8
Carbondale Middle School Carbondale 3.7 mi 6.9
CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Basalt 3.9 mi 7.5
Bridges Carbondale 3.9 mi 5.6
Ross Montessori School Carbondale 3.9 mi 5.7
Carbondale Community Charter School Carbondale 4.6 mi 4.2
COLORADO ROCKY MOUNTAIN SCHOOL Carbondale 4.7 mi 7.3
Basalt High School Basalt 6.4 mi 8.4
Basalt Elementary School Basalt 6.3 mi 5.2
Basalt Middle School Basalt 6.5 mi 5.0
Riverview School Glenwood Springs 10.1 mi 5.5
Sopris Elementary School Glenwood Springs 11.8 mi 7.9
ST STEPHEN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Glenwood Springs 13.2 mi 6.6
Glenwood Springs High School Glenwood Springs 13.5 mi 7.5
Glenwood Springs Elementary School Glenwood Springs 13.9 mi 7.5
Yampah Mountain School Glenwood Springs 14.3 mi 5.8
Glenwood Springs Middle School Glenwood Springs 16.0 mi 6.4
Two Rivers Community School Glenwood Springs 16.4 mi 6.9
Gypsum Creek Middle School Gypsum 17.9 mi 3.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 81623 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$98,549

Median Home Value

$835,000

Median Rent

$2,094/mo

Population

16,349

College Educated

50.4%

Homeownership

68.1%

Avg Commute

28.8 min

Poverty Rate

11.3%

Median Age

40.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork has a median household income of $98,549. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $835,000, with a median rent of $2,094/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.3%. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Mancos Elementary School Mancos, CO 6.6
ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Denver, CO 6.6
ST STEPHEN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Glenwood Springs, CO 6.6
ST THERESE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Aurora, CO 6.6
Fleming Elementary School Fleming, CO 6.5
Simla Elementary School Simla, CO 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork

What grades does Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork serve?

Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork?

Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork has an enrollment of approximately 159 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork?

The student-teacher ratio at Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork is 6.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork rank in CO?

Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork is ranked #89 out of 188 private schools in CO.

What is Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork's MySchoolScout rating?

Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork has a composite rating of 6.6 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.

Is Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork a private school?

Yes, Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork a religious school?

No, Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (780/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Carbondale). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
159
Gender Split
54% M / 46% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
167 days
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
GARFIELD
Data Year
2022–2023

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 methodology

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