Hoehne Schools

Hoehne Schools is a small, rural, alternative public school in Trinidad, Colorado, serving approximately 271 students in Pre-K through 12th grade as part of the Hoehne Reorganized School District No. 3. Because no other schools lie within 20 miles, this summary compares Hoehne to Colorado state averages to give parents a clearer picture of what makes this school unique.

Hoehne’s most notable strengths are in keeping students engaged and on track to graduate. Recent graduation rates have met or exceeded the state average, including a perfect 100% rate in both 2020–21 and 2021–22, while dropout rates have stayed far below state levels—often near zero. Chronic absenteeism has also improved sharply, falling from 22.2% to 15.2% in the latest year, roughly half the statewide rate. Academically, Hoehne students perform above Colorado averages on PSAT 9 and 10 reading and writing, and the school has outpaced the state in 8th-grade science for two consecutive years. These bright spots suggest that younger high school students build solid literacy and science skills.

However, math proficiency is a consistent weakness across nearly every grade, with CMAS math scores around 20% versus the state’s 37%, and SAT math at just 17% compared to 32% statewide. The biggest puzzle is a sharp drop in reading between 10th and 11th grade: PSAT reading scores are well above average, yet the 11th-grade SAT reading score falls far below the state—28% versus 60%. This may stem from a very small cohort or limited SAT-specific preparation, and it is worth investigating. Given the school’s tiny enrollment, year-to-year swings can be dramatic; a few students can shift percentages significantly. Overall, Hoehne prioritizes persistence and graduation, but parents should be aware that academic proficiency—especially in math—remains below statewide levels.