The top reported proficiency rate is 19% in Science. The lowest is 6% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Centennial School District No. R-1
Centennial School District No. R-1 serves the full span of grades from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade in Costilla County, Colorado. The district is small, with a total enrollment that reflects the rural and sparsely populated character of the area. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a smaller share of white students and a very small number of Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 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, so a parent would want to ask the district directly about these supports.
State testing results for the 2024-25 school year show that in math, across grades three through eight, about one in five students scored at the proficient or advanced level. In English language arts for the same grade span, the share was slightly lower. Participation rates on these tests were high, above nine in ten students. Science results for eighth grade were similar to the math and English language arts figures, with roughly one in five students reaching proficiency. Science results for fifth grade were suppressed, meaning the data was not reported, likely due to a very small number of test-takers. Social studies data is from the 2014-15 school year, which is too old to be meaningful for current decision-making. These proficiency rates are low, and a parent considering the district would want to understand what academic supports and interventions are in place.
The district operates a single school, Centennial School, which serves all grades from pre-kindergarten through twelve. Because the district has only one school, there is no choice among buildings within the district. The district’s state accreditation rating has been a point of concern. Publicly reported information shows that the rating dropped from Accredited with Improvement Plan in 2022 to Accredited with Turnaround Plan in 2023, 2024, and 2025, placing the district on Year 3 Performance Watch. This means the state has determined that performance has been low for multiple years and requires a turnaround plan. A family evaluating the district would want to understand what that plan entails and what progress is being made.
On the curricular side, the district has invested in an innovation lab to help students build technological skills, with the stated goal of preparing them to be competitive after graduation without leaving the community. This is a concrete program that families interested in career and technology readiness may find appealing.
The district is located in Costilla County, a rural area in southern Colorado near the New Mexico border. Because the district is the only one in the county, there is no basis for comparing its performance against neighboring districts within the same county. Housing values in the area are well below the state average, and the weighted home value across the district’s zip codes has declined in the past year. The most heavily weighted zip code in the district is San Luis, which also saw a notable decline in home values. This context suggests a rural, low-cost housing market.
The district’s single school means that all students in the area attend the same building from kindergarten through twelfth grade, with a pre-kindergarten program as well. For a family, this means a consistent peer group and staff over many years, but also no option to choose a different school within the district. The small enrollment across all grades means class sizes are likely very small, which can allow for individualized attention but also limits the breadth of course offerings and extracurriculars that a larger district could provide. The innovation lab program is a specific investment in technology skills that may appeal to families who want their children to have hands-on experience with modern tools before leaving the community.
The district’s academic performance on state assessments is low, and the state’s accreditation designation reflects that. A family moving to the area or considering this district would want to visit the school, talk to staff about the turnaround plan, and understand what academic supports are available for students who are not yet meeting proficiency benchmarks. The small size and rural setting mean that the school is likely a central part of the community, and the innovation lab shows an effort to build relevant skills despite limited resources.
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