- Durango High School — Grades 9–12 · 1352 students
- Florida Mesa Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 293 students
- Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 116 students
- Miller Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 360 students
- Needham Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 367 students
- Park Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 452 students
- Riverview Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 374 students
- Escalante Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 461 students
- Sunnyside Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 107 students
- Animas Valley Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 185 students
- Durango Big Picture High School — Grades 9–12 · 99 students
- Colorado Connections Academy @ Durango — Grades · 0 students
- The Juniper School — Grades K–8 · 171 students
- Rodger Quist Middle Durango — Grades 6–8 · 855 students
- Otho E Stuart Middle Durango — Grades 6–8 · 794 students
- Prairie View Middle Durango — Grades 6–8 · 679 students
- Overland Trail Middle Durango — Grades 6–8 · 581 students
- Vikan Middle Durango — Grades 6–8 · 528 students
- Prairie View High Durango — Grades 9–12 · 1,809 students
- Riverdale Ridge High Durango — Grades 9–12 · 1,784 students
- Brighton High Durango — Grades 9–12 · 1,733 students
- Eagle Ridge Academy — Grades 9–12 · 593 students
- The STEAD Durango — Grades 9–12 · 421 students
- Colorado Connections @ 27J — Grades K–12 · 2,042 students
- Bromley East Charter Durango — Grades PK–8 · 1,214 students
- Foundations Academy — Grades K–8 · 763 students
- Landmark Academy at Reunion — Grades K–8 · 758 students
- Discovery Magnet Durango — Grades K–8 · 692 students
- Belle Creek Charter Durango — Grades K–8 · 519 students
- Northeast Elementary Durango — Grades PK–6 · 470 students
- 27J Online Academy — Grades 6–12 · 336 students
- Innovations & Options — Grades 6–12 · 235 students
- Prairie Vista Youth Services Center — Grades 4–12 · 32 students
| Metric | Durango Durango District 9-R | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | — | 3,700 | Data not available |
| Number of Schools | 29 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $11,000/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Supervisory Union | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 8/10 — Good | — | Near average |
About Durango School District 9-R
Durango School District 9-R serves zip code 81303, covering Durango, Colorado with grades K–12. Whether you’re researching a move, evaluating a home purchase, or preparing to enroll a child, the sections below give you a complete picture of this district’s resources, size, and what its rating means for your family.
Funding and Resources
Durango School District 9-R reports per-pupil expenditure of approximately $11,000 per year, placing it near the Colorado state average of approximately $11,000 and below the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Below-average funding can mean larger class sizes, fewer elective offerings, and limited extracurricular programs. Families with specialized needs should verify specific program availability directly with the district. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
With 13 schools, Durango School District 9-R operates as a large district serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 5,452 students in total. Large districts typically provide broad program variety: multiple course tracks at the high school level, dedicated arts and athletic programs, specialized learning pathways, and a wider range of student support services. Individual school quality within a large district can vary considerably — always research your specific assigned school, not just district-level averages.
Understanding the 8/10 Rating
Durango School District 9-R has earned an overall SchoolDistrictFinder rating of 8/10, placing it in the above average tier. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection. We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Colorado is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Durango School District 9-R earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in Colorado. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 81303
Children in zip code 81303 are assigned to Durango School District 9-R for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 81303, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Durango School District 9-R at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of residency (lease or deed plus a utility bill), your child’s birth certificate, current immunization records, and prior school records. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Colorado districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Durango
School district quality is one of the most consistent factors in residential home pricing. Because Durango School District 9-R serves zip code 81303, homes in and around zip code 81303 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Colorado, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Durango School District 9-R programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 81303.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Durango School District 9-R before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 81303 data.