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It is well known that many rural communities typically offer better educational facilities than most
larger urban communities for several reasons:
- The lifestyles offered in rural communities are attractive to many teachers because many of
the student related problems associated with the "big city" are not as prevalent in smaller
schools. "Community" is emphasized more, and is more personalized in smaller communities;
hence quality teacher recruitment is an easier task. (Many teachers in the valley have
Master's Degrees and have won State and National Honors. Student achievement often exceeds
State averages in the Colorado Student Assessment Program).
- Classrooms are typically smaller, allowing for a more personalized teacher/student relationship.
- Smaller communities and smaller classrooms allow for a more personalized relationship between
teachers and parents.
- Extra curricular activities involve parents and community more because they are a more integral
part of the lifestyle of the valley.
The Upper Arkansas Valley also has benefit of Colorado Mountain College with a main campus in Leadville
and a Chaffee County campus located in Buena Vista. The college is a tremendous resource for
ongoing adult education and employee training for business development opportunities.
For simplicity, we have divided the pre-college schools of the Upper Arkansas Valley into three sections:
- Lake County School District R-1 which encompasses the entire county
- Chaffee County School District R-31 which encompasses the northern end of Chaffee County (Buena
Vista, Nathrop, etc.)
- Chaffee County School District R-32 which encompasses the southern end of Chaffee County (Salida,
Poncha Springs, etc.)
We have also included private schools, special programs, college and alternative schools in the valley,
and have designated them accordingly.
Lake County School District R-1
The Lake County School District serves 1,200 students and uses CSAP, Gates McGinitie, PLAN, EXPLORE, ACT,
and the Six Trait Writing Assessment to benchmark student achievement.
The Center:
Housed within Margaret J. Pitts Elementary, The Center is a nationally recognized family center, meeting
the needs of Pre-kindergarten, Head Start, and Before/After School children.
Margaret J. Pitts Elementary School:
13 certified teaching staff members serve 200 kindergarten & 1st grade students
West Park Elementary School
18 certified teaching staff members serve 200 students in grades 2-3
Lake County Intermediate School:
35 certified teaching staff members serving 500 students in grades 4-8
Lake County High School:
Serves 300 students in grades 9-12
Colorado Mountain College (Timberline Campus):
13 full time faculty and 30 full time staff members with approximately 10 part-time support staff and 30
adjunct faculty. 388 total students, with 234 in Degree or Certification Programs and 154
undeclared community students.
Chaffee County School District R-31 (northern Chaffee County):
P.O. Box 2027
Buena Vista, Colorado 81211
(719) 395-7000
Busy Bee Pre-School (private):
Providing care for 70-80 children ages 2 to Kindergarten. No day care - preschool only.
Head Start Pre-School:
Special Education Program - Title 1 Program - Gifted & Talented Program
Avery-Parsons Elementary School:
Grades K-5th
McGinnis Middle School:
Grades 6-8
Darren Patterson Christian Academy (private):
K-12
Buena Vista High School:
Grades 9-12
Chaffee County High School (alternative):
Advanced placement - school to career - 6th grade Conservation Camp
Colorado Mountain College (Buena Vista/Chaffee County Campus):
Academic programs leading to
Chaffee County School District R-32 (southern Chaffee County):
East 9th Street
Salida, Colorado 81201
(719) 530-5200
Longfellow Elementary School:
Grades K - 5th
TLC (private):
Ages through 10
Strawberry Door, Inc. (private):
Ages 3-7 - Special needs Preschool
Head Start Program
Pre-School for Eligible ages 3-5 years old
Salida Middle School
Grades 6-8
Salida High School
Grades 9-12
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