The top reported proficiency rate is 52% in Science. The lowest is 29% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Centauri Middle School
Centauri Middle School is the only public middle school in the North Conejos School District No. Re1J, serving students in sixth through eighth grades in the small rural town of La Jara, Colorado. Located in the San Luis Valley near the New Mexico border, La Jara is a compact community with a historic downtown district, a declining population, and a mix of residential and commercial uses along US Highway 285. The school sits within a district where voters recently approved a mill levy override that provides additional annual property tax revenue for operations, a lasting change that affects both school funding and local property taxes.
The school enrolls a moderate number of students across three grades. The student body is roughly evenly split between Hispanic and white students, and a substantial share of students come from low-income households as measured by free and reduced-price lunch eligibility. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the state reporting, and the school’s own website or public materials do not appear to fill that gap. Parents who rely on that information to gauge support services may want to inquire directly with the school.
On state assessments administered through the Colorado Measures of Academic Success, Centauri Middle School posts a mixed picture. Proficiency in English language arts meets a moderate benchmark, with a little under half of students reaching the proficient or advanced level. Science proficiency, tested only in eighth grade, is somewhat stronger. Math proficiency is lower than both ELA and science, a pattern that families with children who struggle in math may want to explore further by asking about intervention programs and instructional approaches. Compared with other districts in Conejos County, the school’s overall performance across tested subjects and grades places it in the top tier; the county is small, with three districts, so that position reflects a strong showing within a rural peer group.
Because Centauri is a middle school only, there is no graduation rate to report. The school does not offer high school programs such as Advanced Placement or career and technical education pathways; those would be available at Centauri High School, which operates separately within the same district. No data on chronic absenteeism, disciplinary incidents, or staffing ratios was available from the state or federal civil rights collections, so those dimensions of school climate and resource allocation are not possible to characterize here.
Housing in the La Jara area is relatively affordable compared with much of Colorado. Home values sit well below the state median, and the market has shown modest growth recently. The local unemployment rate is typical for the nation, and median household income nationally provides a context in which a mortgage on a typical home in this area would consume a manageable share of income. For families moving to the area, the housing stock in and around La Jara is generally older, single-family homes, and the town’s small footprint means most locations are a short distance from the school. There are no major new developments reported, consistent with the declining population.
Centauri Middle School fits families who are looking for a small, rural school environment in a tight-knit community. Its academic performance is strongest in science and ELA, while math is an area where the school’s approach could be worth a closer look. The student body is economically diverse, and the demographic mix reflects the broader San Luis Valley. The district’s recent mill levy override suggests a community willing to invest additional local resources into its schools. Families seeking detailed information on special education services, English learner support, or school discipline records will need to reach out to the school directly, as that data is not publicly reported for this entity.
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