For the 2025-26 school year, there are 8 public middle schools serving 2,020 students in La Plata County, CO.
The top ranked public middle schools in La Plata County, CO are Mountain Middle School, Southwest Colorado Eschool and The Juniper School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
La Plata County, CO public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 29% (versus the Colorado public middle school average of 30%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 43% statewide average). Middle schools in La Plata County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Colorado public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 30% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Colorado public middle school average of 50% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in La Plata County (2025-26)
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 | 301 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #22.
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 | 45 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #33.
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 | 169 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #44.
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 | 398 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #55.
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 | 511 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #66.
Bayfield Middle School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
615 E. Oak
Bayfield, CO 81122
(970) 884-9592
Bayfield, CO 81122
(970) 884-9592
Gr: 6-8 | 285 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #77.
Ignacio Middle School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
315 Ignacio Street
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0600
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0600
Gr: 6-8 | 155 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: n/an/a
201 East 12th Street
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-5411
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-5411
Gr: K-12 | 156 students Student-teacher ratio: 156:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
La Plata County 51³Ô¹ÏÍøºÚÁÏ (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Durango Second Chance (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
301 East 12th Street
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 385-4354
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 385-4354
Gr: 6-12 | 88 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
The Excel Charter School (Closed 2008)
Charter School
215 East 12th Street
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 259-0203
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 259-0203
Gr: 6-12 | 111 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Ignacio Academy (Closed 2012)
Alternative School
315 Ignacio St
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0515
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0515
Gr: 9-12 | 36 students Student-teacher ratio: 36:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Pine River Valley High School (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
535 Candelaria Street
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0681
Ignacio, CO 81137
(970) 563-0681
Gr: 9-12 | 67 students Student-teacher ratio: 34:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Robert Denier Youth Services Center (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
720 Turner Drive
Durango, CO 81303
(970) 375-2781
Durango, CO 81303
(970) 375-2781
Gr: 5-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public middle schools in La Plata County, CO?
The top ranked public middle schools in La Plata County, CO include Mountain Middle School, Southwest Colorado Eschool and The Juniper School.
How many public middle schools are located in La Plataunty?
8 public middle schools are located in La Plataunty.
What is the racial composition of students in La Plataunty?
La Plataunty public middle schools minority enrollment is 30% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Colorado public middle schools average of 50% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in La Plataunty are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in La Plataunty include: Escalante Middle School vs. Miller Middle School, Miller Middle School vs. Escalante Middle School, Mountain Middle School vs. Miller Middle School
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