The top reported proficiency rate is 55% in English language arts. The lowest is 12% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Las Animas Elementary School
Las Animas Elementary School serves kindergarten through sixth grade in the Las Animas Re-1 district, the only public school system in Bent County. The building sits just west of its predecessor on the same compact town grid, a replacement constructed after the old elementary was demolished due to asbestos issues. It is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet.
The student body is small for an elementary encompassing seven grades. A substantial majority of enrolled students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, reflecting the economic realities of the surrounding agricultural community. Racially and ethnically, the school is predominantly white, with a significant Hispanic population and small numbers of Black, multiracial, and Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander students. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported in the available figures, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those supports.
On the Colorado Measures of Academic Success, the school's overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades was above the midpoint when compared with the other district in Bent County. In English language arts, roughly half of students in grades three through eight met or exceeded the state standard. Math proficiency was notably lower, with a smaller share reaching that benchmark. Science is tested only in fifth grade, and the proportion of students scoring proficient or above was quite low — a parent with a child approaching that grade may wish to discuss science instruction and intervention options with the school. Participation rates on all three tests were very high, so the results reflect nearly the entire student body.
Because the school ends at sixth grade, there is no graduation rate to report, and the available data contained no chronic absenteeism, discipline, or staffing metrics. Families looking into those areas will need to contact the school or district for current information.
Las Animas itself is a small, rural town — the only incorporated city in Bent County and the county seat. Its economy rests on agriculture, and water access has become a central constraint, with rights being sold to Front Range cities. The population has been declining over recent decades, and no major housing developments were mentioned in public records. The town is compact, with U.S. Highway 50 running through it as the main artery. Daily errands likely require a vehicle. Civic life revolves around events such as the annual Santa Fe Trail Day, which the high school student council helps organize. Nearby historic sites include Bent's Old Fort and Boggsville. William F. Howland Park offers a swimming pool and skate area, and John Martin Reservoir State Park is close for camping and water sports. Public transit is available via Bustang's Outrider line connecting Lamar, Pueblo, and Colorado Springs.
Housing in the area is affordable relative to both Colorado and the nation. Home values in the zip code are well below state- and national-level benchmarks, and the estimated monthly mortgage payment on a median-priced home is modest. Rents, however, have been rising in recent years, as seen in national rental-cost indexes. A family considering a move to the area will find a low-cost housing market in a town that is stable but not growing.
Las Animas Elementary offers a traditional elementary pathway in a rural, low-cost setting. The school's reading results are a relative bright spot, while math and especially elementary science achievement fall short of what many families would hope for. Given the high poverty rate and the town's economic challenges, those test scores reflect a population with significant needs. A parent weighing this school should look into what academic interventions and enrichment are available, as well as the transition to the district's middle and high school, which are not covered in this profile.
See more original research from School Decision →