The top reported proficiency rate is 49% in English language arts. The lowest is 33% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Animas Valley Elementary School
Animas Valley Elementary School is a regular public elementary school in Durango, Colorado, serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of the Durango School District 9-R system.
The school has a modest enrollment. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals. The student body is predominantly white, with a sizeable Hispanic representation and a noticeable American Indian or Alaska Native presence; smaller groups identify as two or more races or Asian. The school serves a broad cross-section of the community.
On the Colorado Measures of Academic Success assessments, math proficiency was below half, English language arts proficiency was near half, and science proficiency, which is tested only in fifth grade, was roughly a third. This is a school where a majority of students meet state benchmarks in reading, while math and science are areas where more growth is needed. Compared to other elementary schools in La Plata County, overall proficiency placed Animas Valley in the top quartile, meaning it ranks among the stronger performers in the region for the subjects and grades tested. Parents looking at these results may want to ask the school how it supports students who are not yet at the proficient level in math and science, and whether enrichment opportunities exist for those who exceed the standards.
The school is located in Durango, a town that functions as the economic hub of southwestern Colorado and the Four Corners region. Its historic downtown along Main Avenue, home to galleries, restaurants, and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad depot, gives the community a lively pedestrian core. Fort Lewis College sits on a mesa overlooking the city, and tourism tied to nearby Mesa Verde National Park and Purgatory Resort is a major economic force. The top local employers include the Southern Ute Indian Reservation, the city government, the school district itself, Mercy Medical Center, and Fort Lewis College, reflecting an economy shaped by government, healthcare, education, and hospitality.
Housing in the area is expensive relative to state and national benchmarks, and rents are also elevated, which means families looking to move into the attendance zone should plan for a significant housing cost. The district is in the middle of a major capital improvement cycle funded by a 2024 bond. A new Three Springs Elementary School campus has broken ground, and a workforce housing program has reached near full occupancy, initiatives that aim to update school facilities and support teacher retention by addressing local housing affordability.
This is a small elementary school with a mix of students from diverse backgrounds, situated in a town that offers both outdoor recreation and a historic downtown. Its academic results show a solid base in reading, while math and science are areas where the school is working to improve. For parents, the key questions involve how well the school targets support to the students who need it and what enrichment is available for those who are on track. The district's broader investment in new facilities and staff housing suggests a long-term commitment to the community.
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