Rio Grande County Schools & Education
Rio Grande County, Colorado
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
7/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
77.5%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
77.5%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 83.1%
Per-Pupil Spending
$5,643
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,447
School Score
7/100
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
#59
of 63 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Rio Grande County
School Verdict
Rio Grande County faces educational challenges with a school score of 7/100 and a graduation rate of 77.5%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $5,643 per pupil, Rio Grande County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Rio Grande County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 80% below the Colorado average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 5.6 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 24% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Rio Grande County, Colorado
Valley Schools Serving Three Local Districts
Rio Grande County operates 11 public schools across three districts, educating 1,741 students. The landscape is split between four elementary schools, four high schools, and two middle schools, providing full coverage for the San Luis Valley area.
Growth Opportunities in Local Academic Scores
The county's graduation rate currently stands at 77.5%, trailing the state average. Spending is also lower than state benchmarks, with a per-pupil expenditure of $5,643 used to support the local student body.
Focusing on the Monte Vista Community
Monte Vista School District No. C-8 is the primary provider, managing six schools and 1,033 students. No charter schools exist in the county, meaning traditional districts are the central pillar of the local education system.
Small-Town Feel and Rural Roots
Learning here takes place in 6 rural and 5 town-based schools, where the average enrollment is a modest 158 students. Bill Metz Elementary is the largest school with 269 students, ensuring most children learn in very small cohorts.
Connect with Local San Luis Valley Schools
Homes in Monte Vista and Del Norte offer direct access to these intimate, community-focused schools. Families looking for small class sizes and a rural lifestyle will find plenty of options in Rio Grande County.
School Overview
Total Schools
11
in Rio Grande County
Total Enrollment
1,741
students
School Districts
3
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
3 School Districts in Rio Grande County
Monte Vista School District No. C-8
Upper Rio Grande School District C-7
Sargent School District No. Re-33J
11 Public Schools in Rio Grande County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Metz Elementary School | Monte Vista School District No. C-8 | 2–5 | Primary | 269 |
| Monte Vista Senior High School | Monte Vista School District No. C-8 | 9–12 | High | 250 |
| Monte Vista Middle School | Monte Vista School District No. C-8 | 6–8 | Middle | 210 |
| Del Norte Elementary School | Upper Rio Grande School District C-7 | KG–6 | Primary | 198 |
| Del Norte High Jr./Sr. High School | Upper Rio Grande School District C-7 | 7–12 | High | 188 |
| Sargent Elementary School | Sargent School District No. Re-33J | KG–6 | Primary | 180 |
| Marsh Elementary School | Monte Vista School District No. C-8 | PK–1 | Primary | 166 |
| Sargent Senior High School | Sargent School District No. Re-33J | 9–12 | High | 86 |
| Monte Vista On-Line Academy | Monte Vista School District No. C-8 | 4–12 | Alternative | 85 |
| Sargent Junior High School | Sargent School District No. Re-33J | 7–8 | Middle | 56 |
| Byron Syring Delta Center | Monte Vista School District No. C-8 | 9–12 | Alternative | 53 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$5,643
State avg $7,447
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Rio Grande County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Rio Grande County?
How much does Rio Grande County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Rio Grande County, Colorado — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Rio Grande County, Colorado?
Rio Grande County operates 11 public schools across three districts, educating 1,741 students. The landscape is split between four elementary schools, four high schools, and two middle schools, providing full coverage for the San Luis Valley area.
How do schools in Rio Grande County perform academically?
The county's graduation rate currently stands at 77.5%, trailing the state average. Spending is also lower than state benchmarks, with a per-pupil expenditure of $5,643 used to support the local student body.
What are the major school districts in Rio Grande County, Colorado?
Monte Vista School District No. C-8 is the primary provider, managing six schools and 1,033 students. No charter schools exist in the county, meaning traditional districts are the central pillar of the local education system.
What is the school experience like in Rio Grande County?
Learning here takes place in 6 rural and 5 town-based schools, where the average enrollment is a modest 158 students. Bill Metz Elementary is the largest school with 269 students, ensuring most children learn in very small cohorts.
How can I find homes near good schools in Rio Grande County, Colorado?
Homes in Monte Vista and Del Norte offer direct access to these intimate, community-focused schools. Families looking for small class sizes and a rural lifestyle will find plenty of options in Rio Grande County.
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.