For the 2026 school year, there are 14 public schools serving 4,820 students in Durango, CO (there are 7 private schools, serving 518 private students). 92% of all K-12 students in Durango, CO are educated in public schools (compared to the CO state average of 92%).
The top-ranked public schools in Durango, CO are Mountain Middle School, Park Elementary School and Durango High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Durango, CO public schools have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the Colorado public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 45% statewide average). Schools in Durango have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Colorado public schools.
Minority enrollment is 32% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Colorado public school average of 51% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Durango, CO (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Mountain Middle School
Charter School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
108 West 31st Street
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 828-5600
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 828-5600
Gr: 4-8 | 302 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #22.
Park Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
510 E. 6th Ave.
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-3718
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-3718
Gr: PK-5 | 452 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #33.
Durango High School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2390 Main Avenue
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 259-1630
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 259-1630
Gr: 9-12 | 1,352 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #44.
Southwest Colorado Eschool
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
701 Camino Del Rio Suite 220
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 403-0946
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 403-0946
Gr: 6-12 | 48 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #55.
Animas High School
Charter School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
22 Osprey Way
Durango, CO 81302
(970) 247-2474
Durango, CO 81302
(970) 247-2474
Gr: 9-12 | 249 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #66.
The Juniper School
Charter School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
225 Sawyer Dr
Durango, CO 81302
(970) 764-4185
Durango, CO 81302
(970) 764-4185
Gr: K-8 | 171 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #77.
Needham Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2425 West Third Avenue
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-4791
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-4791
Gr: PK-5 | 367 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #88.
Riverview Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2900 Mesa Avenue
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-3862
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-3862
Gr: PK-5 | 374 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #99.
Miller Middle School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2608 Junction Street
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-1418
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-1418
Gr: 6-8 | 360 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Animas Valley Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
373 Hermosa Meadows Road
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-0124
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-0124
Gr: PK-5 | 185 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Florida Mesa Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
216 Highway 172
Durango, CO 81303
(970) 247-4250
Durango, CO 81303
(970) 247-4250
Gr: PK-5 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1212.
Escalante Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
141 Baker Lane
Durango, CO 81303
(970) 247-9491
Durango, CO 81303
(970) 247-9491
Gr: 6-8 | 461 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #1313.
Durango Big Picture High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
150 Tech Center Dr
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 259-0203
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 259-0203
Gr: 9-12 | 99 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1414.
Sunnyside Elementary School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
75 Cr 218
Durango, CO 81303
(970) 259-5249
Durango, CO 81303
(970) 259-5249
Gr: PK-5 | 107 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Durango, CO?
The top-ranked public schools in Durango, CO include Mountain Middle School, Park Elementary School and Durango High School.
How many public schools are located in Durango?
14 public schools are located in Durango.
What percentage of students in Durango go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in Durango are educated in public schools (compared to the CO state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Durango?
Durango public schools minority enrollment is 32% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Colorado public schools average of 51% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Durango are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Durango include: Animas High School vs. Durango High School, Escalante Middle School vs. Miller Middle School, Durango Big Picture High School vs. Durango High School
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