The top reported proficiency rate is 86% in Science. The lowest is 63% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Ridgway Elementary School
Ridgway Elementary School is a regular public school serving preschool through fifth grade in the town of Ridgway, situated in the northern San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado. The school operates within the Ridgway School District R-2, a small district that also includes a middle and high school. Because it serves only early and elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and standardized testing covers grades three through five.
On the Colorado Measures of Academic Success, the school’s students posted proficiency rates that place it in the top quartile relative to districts in Ouray County. Proficiency in math and English language arts is solid, and science performance stands out as particularly strong. The small number of tested students means a few individual results can sway the overall picture, but the pattern is one of consistent academic performance well above the county median. The school’s participation rate on assessments was high, so the results reflect nearly all enrolled students.
The student body is small. Racially and ethnically, the school is predominantly white, with a modest share of Hispanic students and a very small number of Asian and multiracial students. About a quarter of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, a share well below the national average and indicative of the area’s overall higher-income demographic. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported in the available records, a gap that parents may wish to discuss with the school directly.
The town of Ridgway is a compact mountain community with a walkable downtown core, a state-certified creative district, and a history rooted in railroad and ranching. It sits at the intersection of two highways and serves as a gateway for tourism and recreation, including Ridgway State Park. Housing values in the area are notably high, well above both the state and national benchmarks, which reflects the desirability of the region but also presents a significant affordability challenge for local families. The town has seen steady growth since the 1990s and continues to develop as a recreational and creative hub.
The school district has adopted a multi-year strategic plan centered on academic excellence, social-emotional learning, and facility improvements. In early 2025, the school board approved a resolution to place a bond question on the November ballot that would fund a new gymnasium, security upgrades, and classroom expansions. If approved, the bond would raise property taxes modestly. A previous decision not to pursue a bond in 2024 indicates the district is moving deliberately to address facility needs.
For a family considering this school, the academic picture is encouraging: test results are strong within the local context, and the school’s size means students are known individually. The community is small, outdoor-oriented, and expensive to live in, which shapes the peer environment and the resources available to families. The district appears stable and forward-looking in its planning. The absence of certain data points, such as chronic absenteeism and special education counts, is worth noting, but for a school of this grade range and size it may simply reflect limited reporting rather than a concern. Parents looking for a high-performing elementary in a tight-knit mountain town will find a good match here.
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