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Palace Hotel, Salida (2026)-104A8134Photo: Frank Schulenburg · CC BY-SA 4.0
A
Schools in Salida · Salida School District R-32

Salida’s public schools outscore 89% of Colorado districts

Math proficiency in Salida’s districts is 45%, above the Colorado average (32%). The grade covers the public school district serving Salida, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Colorado, not nationally.

#28of 159 Colorado townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Colorado state tests taken in spring 2022, when 94% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
58%
▲ 13 pts vs CO 45%
2021–22
Math proficiency
45%
▲ 13 pts vs CO 32%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85–89%
▲ 2–6 pts vs CO 83%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$15.5K
▼ 2% vs CO $15.9K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.3
CO 16.3 · smaller classes
Schools in town
7
1,319 students on the public path
In brief

Salida’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 58% and math 45% in spring 2022, against 45% and 32% statewide; 85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $15,537 per student, against $15,889 across Colorado (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then two middle and one high school

Which school depends on the address at the later steps. Enrollment is up 9% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Salida Montessori Charter School is in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Salida’s grade

A Test scoresB− Graduation

A: better than 89% of Colorado school districts, #28 of 159 Colorado towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Colorado average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Colorado school districts we grade (169)Better than 89%
Lower resultsHigher results
Colorado towns with similar household incomes (141)Better than 89%
A−AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 634 test results and a graduating class of 113 could put Salida anywhere from A− to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 94% of Salida’s students in the tested grades sat them (635 in math, 632 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Salida, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–4Longfellow Elementary SchoolSalida School District R-32A
5–82 middle schoolsDepends on your addressB+ to A+
9–12Salida High SchoolSalida School District R-32A−

Salida’s public schools are run by Salida School District R-32, which also serves Poncha Springs. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Salida School District R-32Grades PK–12 · 6 schools · 1,351 students, up 9% since 2020–21 · 13.3 per teacher (CO 16.3)
$15,537CO $15,889 · FY2024
A
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading58%
State average 44.9% · 632 students tested
Math45%
State average 31.8% · 635 students tested

Salida vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Colorado towns that share Salida’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
SalidaASalida School District R-32

Every school in Salida

7 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Colorado’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Salidaby address
Salida Early Childhood Center
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
74 students7:1Rate it →
Longfellow Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–4
A
449 students15:1Rate it →
Salida Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8
B+
327 students13:1Rate it →
Crest Academy
Middle · Grades 5–8
A+
60 students13:1Rate it →
Salida High School
High · Grades 9–12
A−
409 students16:1Rate it →
Other district programsby referral or application
Horizons Exploratory Academy
High · Grades 9–12
A−
Alternative Education
32 students9:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
Salida Montessori Charter School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
B
Charter
186 students13:1Rate it →

Questions about Salida’s schools

Are Salida’s schools good?

By Colorado’s own tests, yes: the public schools Salida children attend outscore 89% of Colorado’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #28 of 159 Colorado towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 89%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Salida in?

Salida School District R-32, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,351 students in 6 schools (2024–25).

Where do Salida kids go to high school?

Salida High School, with 409 students; its own test results earn an A−.

What is Salida’s graduation rate?

85–89% of the class of 2023 in Salida School District R-32 graduated in four years, against 83% across Colorado.

How much does Salida spend per student?

$15,537 in Salida School District R-32 (FY2024), against $15,889 across Colorado. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Salida families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Salida → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Colorado. Stars are from neighbors.