Sierra Grande K-12 School

Sierra Grande K-12 School is an alternative public school located in Blanca, Colorado, serving grades PK-12 with a total enrollment of 302 students. The school has faced fluctuations in its graduation and dropout rates in recent years, and it also has a high rate of chronic absenteeism.

Academically, Sierra Grande K-12 School consistently underperforms the state average in proficiency rates across various CMAS assessments, including English Language Arts, Math, and Science. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, the school's proficiency rates in CMAS English Language Arts (24.4%) and Math (15.4%) were significantly lower than the state averages of 44.8% and 35.9%, respectively. The school's performance on SAT and PSAT assessments also lags behind the state averages. Additionally, the school has a very high percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 76.83% to 81.79%, suggesting a predominantly low-income student population. The student-teacher ratio at the school is relatively high, ranging from 14 to 15.7 students per teacher, which may impact the level of individual attention and support that students receive.

Interestingly, the nearby Centennial School, also an alternative public school, has a similar academic performance profile, with lower CMAS proficiency rates compared to state averages. However, Centennial School has a slightly higher student-teacher ratio (16.5) than Sierra Grande K-12 School, which may contribute to its relatively lower academic performance. The high rates of chronic absenteeism, the high percentage of low-income students, and the relatively high student-teacher ratio at Sierra Grande K-12 School may be significant factors contributing to the school's academic challenges.