Las Animas School District No. Re-1, CO

Original Research by School Decision on Las Animas School District No. Re-1

Las Animas School District No. Re-1 is the sole public school district in Bent County, Colorado, serving the town of Las Animas and the surrounding rural area. With an enrollment that places it among smaller districts in the state, the district runs five schools: an elementary, a junior high, a high school, an early learning center, and an online academy. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial white population and small shares of Black, Native American, Asian, and multiracial students. Data on free or reduced-price meal eligibility, special education, and English learner status was not available, so a full picture of student need cannot be drawn from the numbers alone.

Academically, the district’s state testing results present a mixed picture. On the Colorado Measures of Academic Success, proficiency rates for elementary and middle school grades are low in mathematics and science, while English language arts sits at a moderate level. Participation in these assessments was notably incomplete: roughly three in ten students did not take the math and ELA tests, and for eighth-grade science, only about half of students participated. A parent may want to ask the district why participation rates are low and whether that reflects a broader pattern of test avoidance or other factors. Science results are particularly weak at both fifth and eighth grades. Social studies data is from more than a decade ago and is not useful for current judgment.

The district has no graduation rate reported in the available data, and information on Advanced Placement, dual-credit, or career pathways is absent. Given that the district serves through grade twelve, these are significant gaps for a family considering the high school years.

Housing in the district’s area is very affordable relative to Colorado as a whole. Home values are a fraction of the state median, and the county’s cost of living is low. The housing market has seen a modest decline in the past year, but prices remain accessible.

The district operates without charter or magnet status, and no recent major changes or strategic initiatives were found in public records. It appears to be a stable, traditional rural district.

For a family weighing Las Animas, the district is a straightforward choice within Bent County because there are no other districts to compare it to. The core question is whether the academic outcomes and the limited supporting data meet a family’s expectations. The low testing participation and the absence of information on graduation and advanced coursework are the points most worth investigating directly with the school system.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

956

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 62%

Black 2%

White 34%

Asian 0%

Two+ 1%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 38

40%

42%

Math

Gr 38

24%

29%

Schools in this District

5 schools are officially reported under this district.

Las Animas Elementary School

Las Animas Junior High School

Las Animas High School

Jump Start Learning Center

Academy of Las Animas Online School

Academic Performance

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

Mathematics

1 grade reported

25%

Grades 3-8

English Language Arts

1 grade reported

41%

Grades 3-8

Science

2 grades reported

12%

Grade 5

20%

Grade 8

Social Studies

2 grades reported

13%

Grade 4

11%

Grade 7

Housing & Real Estate

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

Home Values

Typical home value$114,041

Year-over-year change-6.5%

Range across 3 ZIP codes$113K to $150K

vs. state typical0.21x

vs. national typical0.31x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (3 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
81054	Las Animas	$113K	-6.2%	94.9%
81044	Hasty	$126K	-13.8%	3.1%
81050	La Junta	$150K	-9.5%	2.0%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$575/mo

Home price / national median income1.4x

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.