For the 2026 school year, there are 14 public schools serving 3,000 students in Otero County, CO (there are 1 private school, serving 29 private students). 99% of all K-12 students in Otero County, CO are educated in public schools (compared to the CO state average of 92%).
The top-ranked public schools in Otero County, CO are Swink Elementary School, Fowler High School and Swink Junior-senior High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Otero County, CO public schools have an average math proficiency score of 20% (versus the Colorado public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 33% (versus the 45% statewide average). Schools in Otero County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Colorado public schools.
Minority enrollment is 56% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Colorado public school average of 51% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Otero County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Swink Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
610 Columbia Street
Swink, CO 81077
(719) 384-8103
Swink, CO 81077
(719) 384-8103
Gr: K-5 | 131 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #22.
Fowler High School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
600 West Grant
Fowler, CO 81039
(719) 263-4279
Fowler, CO 81039
(719) 263-4279
Gr: 9-12 | 101 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #33.
Swink Junior-senior High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
610 Columbia Street
Swink, CO 81077
(719) 384-8103
Swink, CO 81077
(719) 384-8103
Gr: 6-12 | 159 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #44.
Fowler Junior High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
601 West Grant
Fowler, CO 81039
(719) 263-4224
Fowler, CO 81039
(719) 263-4224
Gr: 7-8 | 58 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #55.
Cheraw School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
110 Lakeview Avenue
Cheraw, CO 81030
(719) 853-6655
Cheraw, CO 81030
(719) 853-6655
Gr: PK-12 | 209 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Fowler Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
601 West Grant
Fowler, CO 81093
(719) 263-4364
Fowler, CO 81093
(719) 263-4364
Gr: K-6 | 183 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Rocky Ford Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
901 South 11th Street
Rocky Ford, CO 81067
(719) 254-7669
Rocky Ford, CO 81067
(719) 254-7669
Gr: K-6 | 305 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #88.
Tiger Trades Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1401 East 6th Stree
La Junta, CO 81050
(719) 363-1504
La Junta, CO 81050
(719) 363-1504
Gr: 5-12 | 90 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #99.
Rocky Ford Junior/senior High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
100 West Washington
Rocky Ford, CO 81067
(719) 254-7431
Rocky Ford, CO 81067
(719) 254-7431
Gr: 7-12 | 271 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #1010.
Manzanola Elementary School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
32475 County Road 11.5
Manzanola, CO 80158
(719) 462-5578
Manzanola, CO 80158
(719) 462-5578
Gr: PK-5 | 71 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1111.
Manzanola Junior-senior High School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
32475 County Road 11.5
Manzanola, CO 80158
(719) 462-5528
Manzanola, CO 80158
(719) 462-5528
Gr: 6-12 | 103 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #1212.
La Junta Intermediate School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
901 Smithland Ave.
La Junta, CO 81050
(719) 384-9151
La Junta, CO 81050
(719) 384-9151
Gr: 3-6 | 397 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #1313.
La Junta Jr/sr High School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1817 Smithland Ave
La Junta, CO 81050
(719) 384-4467
La Junta, CO 81050
(719) 384-4467
Gr: 7-12 | 501 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: n/an/a
601 Topeka Avenue
La Junta, CO 81050
(719) 384-2991
La Junta, CO 81050
(719) 384-2991
Gr: K-2 | 296 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Otero County, CO?
The top-ranked public schools in Otero County, CO include Swink Elementary School, Fowler High School and Swink Junior-senior High School.
How many public schools are located in Oterounty?
15 public schools are located in Oterounty.
What percentage of students in Oterounty go to public school?
99% of all K-12 students in Oterounty are educated in public schools (compared to the CO state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Oterounty?
Oterounty public schools minority enrollment is 56% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Colorado public schools average of 51% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Oterounty are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Oterounty include: La Junta Jr/sr High School vs. Rocky Ford Junior/senior High School, Manzanola Junior-senior High School vs. Fowler High School, Fowler High School vs. Manzanola Junior-senior High School
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