Buena Vista School District No. R-31, CO

Original Research by School Decision on Buena Vista School District No. R-31

Buena Vista School District No. R-31 is a modest-sized district serving children from early childhood through high school in Chaffee County, Colorado. The district operates five schools: an elementary school, a middle school, a high school, an alternative high school, and an early learning program. Its enrollment is spread fairly evenly across the grades, with a slight dip in the junior year. The student body is predominantly white, with a substantial Hispanic minority and very small numbers of other racial groups. Information about the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, as well as the proportion of students with disabilities or English learners, was not reported in the available data, so a family looking for that context would need to ask the district directly.

On state assessments, the district’s performance shows a clear pattern. In English language arts, more than two in five students in grades three through eight scored at the proficient or advanced level. In math, that figure drops to slightly more than one in four. Science results are available only for grades five and eight; the fifth-grade proficiency rate is similar to the ELA figure, while the eighth-grade rate is higher, with over half of students meeting the standard. Participation rates were strong across all tested subjects, above nine in ten, which adds confidence to the results. These numbers place the district in a moderate range relative to Colorado’s statewide averages, though the lack of a county-level comparison group makes it difficult to say how it stacks up against its nearest neighbors. High school testing data was not included in the available information, nor was the district’s graduation rate, so a parent considering the upper grades may want to inquire directly about those outcomes.

The housing market in the area the district covers is notably expensive. Home values are above the state median, and rents are also elevated. The cost of buying versus renting favors renting, as the estimated monthly mortgage payment for a typical home is significantly higher than the average rent. The unemployment rate in the national context is moderate, and median household income nationally is around the high seventy-thousands, but the district’s own local income data was not provided. This suggests that the area may be a destination for those with stronger financial resources, and families moving to the district should be prepared for a high cost of housing relative to what they might find elsewhere in Colorado.

The district’s brief, which searched for recent changes or initiatives, turned up little of lasting impact. This suggests a stable, perhaps quiet, administrative environment. No major bond issues, curriculum overhauls, or leadership transitions were reported. For a parent, this could be reassuring or unremarkable depending on preference. The district does not appear to have experienced significant disruption or reform in the recent past.

What is missing from this picture is sizable. No information on discipline, chronic absenteeism, staffing ratios, course access, or program offerings such as Advanced Placement, career and technical education, or dual enrollment was available. The absence of that data means a family cannot assess the breadth of academic pathways or the school climate from this source. The district’s website or a direct conversation with the school leadership would be necessary to fill those gaps.

In sum, Buena Vista School District No. R-31 is a moderate-sized, predominantly white, stable district in a high-cost mountain community. Its academic performance is mixed, with stronger results in English language arts and science than in math. The lack of key data on student support populations, high school outcomes, and program offerings means that families will need to do additional legwork to determine whether this district fits their child’s needs.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

985

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 15%

Black 1%

White 80%

Asian 1%

Two+ 3%

Am. Indian / AK Native 1%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 3

—

50%

Gr 4

24%

53%

Gr 5

20%

—

Gr 7

36%

51%

Gr 8

41%

49%

Gr 38

30%

50%

Math

Gr 4

24%

35%

Gr 7

11%

27%

Gr 8

18%

39%

Gr 38

16%

33%

Science

Gr 5

32%

56%

Gr 8

47%

59%

Schools in this District

5 schools are officially reported under this district.

Buena Vista High School

Buena Vista Middle School

Avery/Parsons Elementary School

Chaffee County High School

The Grove BVSD's Early Learning Program

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

1 grade reported

28%

Grades 3-8

English Language Arts

1 grade reported

43%

Grades 3-8

Science

2 grades reported

47%

Grade 5

55%

Grade 8

Social Studies

2 grades reported

15%

Grade 4

12%

Grade 7

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$677,486

Year-over-year change+2.0%

Range across 4 ZIP codes$398K to $715K

vs. state typical1.25x

vs. national typical1.84x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (4 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
81211	Buena Vista	$680K	+1.4%	71.1%
81236	Nathrop	$685K	+4.1%	23.4%
81201	Salida	$715K	+0.3%	2.9%
80449	Hartsel	$398K	+0.3%	1.7%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$2,353/mo

Range across 2 ZIP codes$2,255 to $2,357/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (2 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
81211	Buena Vista	$2,357	—	71.1%
81201	Salida	$2,255	—	2.9%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$3,419/mo

Home price / national median income8.1x

Annual rent / national median income33.7%

Est. mortgage exceeds rent by$1,066/mo

Comparison

State typical home value$543,271 (-2.4% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.