For the 2026 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 (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 | 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 Public Schools (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