Garfield County Schools & Education
Garfield County, Colorado
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
38/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
86.7%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
86.7%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 83.1%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,244
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,447
School Score
38/100
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
#25
of 63 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Garfield County
School Verdict
Garfield County faces educational challenges with a school score of 38/100 and a graduation rate of 86.7%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $7,244 per pupil, Garfield County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Garfield County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 5% above the Colorado average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 3.6 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 3% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Garfield County, Colorado
Diverse Schooling Across Garfield County
Garfield County operates 28 public schools serving a robust population of 10,273 students. This system spans three districts and includes 14 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, and 7 high schools.
Beating State Averages in Academic Success
The county maintains a strong 86.7% graduation rate, which is well above the state average of 83.1%. Per-pupil expenditure of $7,244 nearly matches the state average, helping the county earn a school score of 52.3.
Garfield Re-2 and Regional Districts
Garfield School District No. Re-2 is the largest provider, educating 4,662 students across 10 schools. Two charter schools operate within the county, representing about 7% of the total available campuses.
Mountain Town and Rural Diversity
With 19 schools located in towns and 9 in rural areas, the average school size is 380 students. Glenwood Springs High School is the largest institution, serving 1,002 students in a high-enrollment town environment.
Education Quality in the Heart of the Rockies
Strong graduation rates and well-sized schools make Garfield County a top choice for families. Home buyers often focus on the Glenwood Springs and Rifle areas to take advantage of these established district resources.
School Overview
Total Schools
28
in Garfield County
Total Enrollment
10,273
students
School Districts
3
districts
Charter Schools
2
7% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
3 School Districts in Garfield County
Garfield School District No. Re-2
Grand Valley School District No. 16 in the county of Garfi
Colorado River BOCES
28 Public Schools in Garfield County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenwood Springs High School | Roaring Fork School District No. Re-1 | 9–12 | High | 1,002 |
| Rifle High School | Garfield School District No. Re-2 | 9–12 | High | 791 |
| Rifle Middle School | Garfield School District No. Re-2 | 6–8 | Middle | 623 |
| Coal Ridge High School | Garfield School District No. Re-2 | 9–12 | High | 527 |
| Riverside School | Garfield School District No. Re-2 | 6–8 | Middle | 468 |
| Cactus Valley Elementary School | Garfield School District No. Re-2 | PK–5 | Primary | 463 |
| Highland Elementary School | Garfield School District No. Re-2 | PK–5 | Primary | 451 |
| Glenwood Springs Elementary School | Roaring Fork School District No. Re-1 | PK–5 | Primary | 437 |
| Roaring Fork High School | Roaring Fork School District No. Re-1 | 9–12 | High | 427 |
| Graham Mesa Elementary School | Garfield School District No. Re-2 | PK–5 | Primary | 425 |
| Crystal River Elementary School | Roaring Fork School District No. Re-1 | PK–4 | Primary | 417 |
| Glenwood Springs Middle School | Roaring Fork School District No. Re-1 | 6–8 | Middle | 408 |
| Wamsley Elementary School | Garfield School District No. Re-2 | PK–5 | Primary | 395 |
| Riverview School | Roaring Fork School District No. Re-1 | PK–8 | Primary | 387 |
| Bea Underwood Elementary School | Grand Valley School District No. 16 in the county of Garfi | 2–5 | Primary | 369 |
| Carbondale Middle School | Roaring Fork School District No. Re-1 | 5–8 | Middle | 345 |
| Sopris Elementary School | Roaring Fork School District No. Re-1 | PK–5 | Primary | 342 |
| Grand Valley High School | Grand Valley School District No. 16 in the county of Garfi | 9–12 | High | 317 |
| Kathryn Senor Elementary School | Garfield School District No. Re-2 | PK–5 | Primary | 273 |
| Ross Montessori School | State Charter School Institute | KG–8 | Charter | 250 |
Grand Valley School District No. 16 in the county of Garfi
Grand Valley School District No. 16 in the county of Garfi
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,244
State avg $7,447
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Garfield County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Garfield County?
How much does Garfield County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Garfield County, Colorado — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Garfield County, Colorado?
Garfield County operates 28 public schools serving a robust population of 10,273 students. This system spans three districts and includes 14 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, and 7 high schools.
How do schools in Garfield County perform academically?
The county maintains a strong 86.7% graduation rate, which is well above the state average of 83.1%. Per-pupil expenditure of $7,244 nearly matches the state average, helping the county earn a school score of 52.3.
What are the major school districts in Garfield County, Colorado?
Garfield School District No. Re-2 is the largest provider, educating 4,662 students across 10 schools. Two charter schools operate within the county, representing about 7% of the total available campuses.
What is the school experience like in Garfield County?
With 19 schools located in towns and 9 in rural areas, the average school size is 380 students. Glenwood Springs High School is the largest institution, serving 1,002 students in a high-enrollment town environment.
How can I find homes near good schools in Garfield County, Colorado?
Strong graduation rates and well-sized schools make Garfield County a top choice for families. Home buyers often focus on the Glenwood Springs and Rifle areas to take advantage of these established district resources.
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.