Big Sandy School District No. 100j, CO

Original Research by School Decision on Big Sandy School District No. 100j

Big Sandy School District No. 100J serves a rural area of eastern Elbert County, Colorado, encompassing the communities around Simla and the surrounding plains. The district is small, operating three schools: Simla Elementary, Simla Junior High, and Simla High. It educates students from preschool through twelfth grade.

The student body is predominantly white, with a smaller Hispanic population and a handful of students from other racial backgrounds. Data on the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals, those receiving special education services, and English learners were not available, so a fuller picture of the district’s socioeconomic and support-need profile is not possible from this data alone. Families should inquire directly with the district for that information.

Academically, the district performed above the midpoint among Elbert County’s districts in overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades. On state assessments, about two out of five students in grades three through eight met expectations in math, and nearly half did so in English language arts. Science results varied by grade level: stronger performance in elementary grades, with more than half of fifth graders meeting expectations, while about a third of eighth graders did so. These figures suggest that while the district compares favorably to its county peers, there is room for growth, particularly in middle school science. A parent may want to look into how the district supports students who are not yet at the proficient level.

Chronic absenteeism, a measure of students missing substantial school, was the lowest among the county’s districts, indicating good attendance patterns. Per-pupil spending fell in the upper range of the county’s districts, reflecting a moderate-to-high resource commitment for a rural district. Graduation rate data was not available for this report; parents should check with the high school directly, as the district does serve a high school population and would typically report a rate.

Housing in the district’s coverage area costs below the state average, with a wide range across different zip codes. Some communities, like Simla, offer more modest home prices, while others are higher. The national mortgage rate environment and price-to-income ratio suggest typical affordability challenges for homebuyers, but the district’s area remains more accessible than many parts of Colorado.

The district has not undertaken any major curriculum overhauls, property-tax changes, or referendums in recent years, according to publicly available information. This stability may appeal to families seeking consistency.

For a family considering this district, the picture is of a small, rural school system with attendance patterns that are strong relative to its county, academic performance that leads the county’s pack, and moderate resource levels. The missing data on student economic and special-education populations means families should ask those questions on a school tour. The affordable housing relative to the state may be a draw for those working remotely or commuting to the Colorado Front Range, though the district’s location in the plains means longer drives to larger employment centers. The schools themselves appear to provide a traditional, community-rooted education pathway from preschool through high school, with a scale that allows for close relationships between staff and students.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

328

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 13%

White 84%

Asian 0%

Two+ 3%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 38

41%

57%

Math

Gr 38

39%

42%

Schools in this District

3 schools are officially reported under this district.

Simla Elementary School

Simla High School

Simla Junior High School

Academic Performance

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

Mathematics

1 grade reported

41%

Grades 3-8

English Language Arts

1 grade reported

48%

Grades 3-8

Science

2 grades reported

58%

Grade 5

33%

Grade 8

Social Studies

2 grades reported

19%

Grade 4

22%

Grade 7

Housing & Real Estate

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

Home Values

Typical home value$383,818

Year-over-year change+2.0%

Range across 5 ZIP codes$280K to $477K

vs. state typical0.71x

vs. national typical1.04x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (5 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
80832	Matheson	$440K	+2.5%	34.3%
80835	Simla	$333K	+0.9%	24.3%
80828	Limon	$280K	+3.3%	8.4%
80808	Calhan	$477K	+0.2%	1.9%
80101	Agate	$472K	-5.5%	0.3%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$1,937/mo

Home price / national median income4.6x

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.