Chaffee County Schools & Education
Chaffee County, Colorado
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
37/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
82.7%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
82.7%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 83.1%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,720
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,447
School Score
37/100
Higher = better
State avg 36/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#27
of 63 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Chaffee County
School Verdict
Chaffee County faces educational challenges with a school score of 37/100 and a graduation rate of 82.7%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $7,720 per pupil, Chaffee County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Chaffee County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 2% above the Colorado average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 0.4 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 4% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Chaffee County, Colorado
Educational Access in the Heart of the Rockies
Chaffee County provides 12 public schools for 2,487 students, spread across two districts. This mountain community features a balanced mix of 3 elementary, 3 middle, and 4 high schools.
Consistent Performance and Solid Funding
The graduation rate of 82.7% aligns closely with the state average of 83.1%. Per-pupil expenditure is healthy at $7,720, which is higher than the Colorado average of $7,447, resulting in a school score of 51.2.
Salida and Buena Vista District Focus
Salida School District R-32 is the largest with 6 schools and 1,327 students. One charter school exists within the county, providing an alternative to the traditional public school structure.
Town-Based Schools with Community Character
Ten of the county's schools are located in town settings, with an average size of 207 students. Longfellow Elementary is the largest school, creating a central hub for Salida's 455 youngest learners.
Mountain Homes with Reliable Schools
Families moving to Salida or Buena Vista benefit from strong per-pupil investment and steady academic outcomes. Focus your home search near Salida High or Avery/Parsons Elementary for convenient school access.
School Overview
Total Schools
12
in Chaffee County
Total Enrollment
2,487
students
School Districts
2
districts
Charter Schools
1
8% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
2 School Districts in Chaffee County
Salida School District No. R-32
Buena Vista School District No. R-31
12 Public Schools in Chaffee County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Longfellow Elementary School | Salida School District No. R-32 | KG–4 | Primary | 455 |
| Avery/Parsons Elementary School | Buena Vista School District No. R-31 | KG–5 | Primary | 435 |
| Salida High School | Salida School District No. R-32 | 9–12 | High | 394 |
| Salida Middle School | Salida School District No. R-32 | 5–8 | Middle | 315 |
| Buena Vista High School | Buena Vista School District No. R-31 | 9–12 | High | 274 |
| Buena Vista Middle School | Buena Vista School District No. R-31 | 6–8 | Middle | 222 |
| Salida Montessori Charter School | State Charter School Institute | PK–8 | Charter | 128 |
| The Grove BVSD's Early Learning Program | Buena Vista School District No. R-31 | PK | Other | 82 |
| Salida Early Childhood Center | Salida School District No. R-32 | PK | Other | 71 |
| Crest Academy | Salida School District No. R-32 | 5–8 | Middle | 58 |
| Horizons Exploratory Academy | Salida School District No. R-32 | 9–12 | Alternative | 34 |
| Chaffee County High School | Buena Vista School District No. R-31 | 7–12 | Alternative | 19 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,720
State avg $7,447
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Chaffee County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Chaffee County?
How much does Chaffee County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Chaffee County, Colorado — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Chaffee County, Colorado?
Chaffee County provides 12 public schools for 2,487 students, spread across two districts. This mountain community features a balanced mix of 3 elementary, 3 middle, and 4 high schools.
How do schools in Chaffee County perform academically?
The graduation rate of 82.7% aligns closely with the state average of 83.1%. Per-pupil expenditure is healthy at $7,720, which is higher than the Colorado average of $7,447, resulting in a school score of 51.2.
What are the major school districts in Chaffee County, Colorado?
Salida School District R-32 is the largest with 6 schools and 1,327 students. One charter school exists within the county, providing an alternative to the traditional public school structure.
What is the school experience like in Chaffee County?
Ten of the county's schools are located in town settings, with an average size of 207 students. Longfellow Elementary is the largest school, creating a central hub for Salida's 455 youngest learners.
How can I find homes near good schools in Chaffee County, Colorado?
Families moving to Salida or Buena Vista benefit from strong per-pupil investment and steady academic outcomes. Focus your home search near Salida High or Avery/Parsons Elementary for convenient school access.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.