The top reported proficiency rate is 28% in English language arts. The lowest is 12% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Center Consolidated School District No. 26 Jt. of the Count
Center Consolidated School District No. 26 Jt. serves students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade across the San Luis Valley of Saguache County. The district is small, with a total enrollment that reflects the rural nature of the area it covers. The student body is overwhelmingly Hispanic, making up the vast majority of enrollment, with a much smaller share of white students and very small numbers of American Indian or Alaska Native and Black students. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, receive special education services, or are classified as English learners was not available in the source material.
On the 2024-25 Colorado Measures of Academic Success state assessments, results indicate clear challenges in core academic subjects. For students in grades three through eight, the proficiency rate in math was low. In English language arts, the proficiency rate was higher than in math but still modest. Eighth grade science results showed a similar pattern to math, with a low proficiency rate. Fifth grade science data was suppressed for privacy reasons, so a complete picture at that grade level is unavailable. Across all tested subjects and grades, the district's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile when compared to the other districts in Saguache County. This is the most direct evidence of the academic starting point. A parent considering the district would want to understand how the schools are working to build foundational skills in math and literacy, and what interventions are in place for students who are not yet meeting the state's proficiency benchmarks.
The district operates several schools: Haskin Elementary School, Skoglund Middle School, and Center High School, as well as two alternative or specialized programs — The Academic Recovery Center of San Luis Valley and Center Virtual Academy. The presence of these additional schools suggests the district provides options for credit recovery or alternative pathways for high school students. The district runs from preschool through twelfth grade, meaning families can keep their child in the same system from kindergarten through graduation.
In terms of financial resources, the district's per-pupil current spending sits in the upper half of the middle range among Saguache County's districts. This is a relatively strong position compared to its immediate neighbors in the county. Chronic absenteeism, while present at a moderate level, is actually the best in the county — the district's rate places it in the top quartile among the county's districts, meaning fewer students are missing substantial amounts of school compared to peers in nearby districts. No graduation rate data was available in the source material, so a reader should look into that metric directly with the district or state.
Housing in the district's attendance area is a range depending on which community a family lives in. The weighted average home value across the three main ZIP codes — Center, Del Norte, and Saguache — is below the state average, which is itself slightly below the national benchmark. Home values vary notably within the district: one area saw a modest year-over-year decline while another saw a modest increase, but in absolute terms, all are well below the Colorado statewide typical home value. The estimated monthly mortgage payment based on recent rates is modest compared to state norms, which may make homeownership more attainable for families moving into the area.
The district brief turned up no recent major changes or initiatives. Searched publicly reported information found little of lasting impact, so the narrative here rests on the operational and academic data described above. A parent should reach out directly to the district to learn about any recent curriculum changes, facility plans, or strategic priorities that are not captured in this data set. The district's small size and the limited number of schools means there is less institutional complexity, but also fewer choices within the system. The academic proficiency data is the main area where a family would want to ask detailed questions about instructional approaches, support for students below grade level, and the high school's course offerings, including whether it provides career-technical programs or concurrent enrollment options.
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