Durango is home to Fort Lewis College, an independent four-year public liberal arts institution of about 4,500 students, which offers 24 degree programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences, Education, and Business Administration. In addition to its educational mission, Fort Lewis College offers a wealth of service programs for the region, from Continuing Education Classes to business consultation to support for the arts and other organizations... Because of its commitment to the state and region, the college has established itself as an integral, vital part of the Durango community. The campus sits on 362 acres overlooking Durango. 1000 Rim Drive, Durango, CO 81301 (970) 247-7010
Southwest Colorado Community College (SCCC) is a fully-accredited two-year college that provides open door admission. The philosophy of the college is that all who feel they have the ability to benefit and the motivation to succeed should have access to higher education. This access is further enhanced through affordable tuition and fees. Pueblo Community College Southwest Center provides educational programs and services to the citizens of La Plata, Archuleta, Montezuma, Dolores, and San Juan Counties. Area high schools partner with the Southwest Center sites to offer courses to students and community members at the high school facilities. 701 Camino del Rio, Suite 100, Durango, CO 81301 (970) 247-2929
The Durango Education Center is a non-profit educational organization that has dedicated 26 years to providing excellent and affordable educational services to youth, adults and families in Durango and the surrounding community. Our programs include GED, ESOL, Community Education and Family Literacy. Every year we serve around 800 students! We also provide affordable childcare for children up to 36 months. 701 Camino Del Rio STE 301 Durango, CO 81301 (970) 385-4354
Durango School District 9-R serves over 4,300 students through 11 schools, including one comprehensive high school, two middle schools, seven elementary schools, and alternative options for grades 9-12. The mission of Durango School District 9-R, an innovative educational system committed to excellence, is to ensure each student develops the skills and attributes for lifelong learning. Through leading instructional models, globally minded learning programs and engaging teaching and learning methods, the district aims to instill in each student the ability to compete and contribute in the global community. By integrating International Baccalaureate and Expeditionary Learning into the school’s curriculum, 9-R challenges students to broaden their horizons and find new ways of learning. Furthermore, the district encourages supportive and safe school environments, guaranteeing equitable educational opportunities for each and every student. Examples of these opportunities include small learning communities, school-based health centers, environmental education and sustainability practices, school greenhouses and gardens and much more. 201 E. 12th St., Durango, CO 81301 (970) 247-5411, ext. 1400
Animas High School is a public, free charter school that will celebrate its first graduating senior class in Spring 2013! With grades 9 through 12, Animas High offers a rigorous, personalized college preparatory curriculum that is extraordinarily engaging and meaningful. AHS’ innovative and highly effective learning curriculum is delivered through projects gleaned from real-world experiences, a passionate cadre of salaried teachers and counselors, and the enhanced potential of post-secondary success. Via a peer-oriented culture that challenges yet supports, AHS students become critical thinkers and engaged, service-oriented citizens that will meet the challenges of the 21st century. Animas High was named a John Irwin School of Excellence in 2011, its first year of eligibility, being among the top 8% of all Colorado public schools and one of only 4 high schools honored on the Western Slope. Animas High is modeled after California’s wildly successful High Tech High. 271 Twin Buttes Avenue, Durango, CO 81301 (970) 247-2474
Mountain Middle School is a free, public, state chartered school located in Durango, Colorado, providing education to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in a small school environment. The MMS mission is to integrate technology and project-based learning into a rigorous liberal arts curriculum that prepares students to succeed in the 21st Century as self-motivated, innovative thinkers who seek to resolve challenges collaboratively - all within a supportive and safe culture. MMS successes include academic growth scores that are the highest of all secondary schools in southwest Colorado and receiving the highest accreditation rating “Performance of Distinction” given only to schools performing in the top echelon of all schools in Colorado. 108 West 31st Street, Durango, CO 81301. (970) 828-5600
The Juniper School, located in Durango, CO is a free, public, charter elementary school. TJS provides a Montessori education with an authentic, diverse, and active learning environment for the children in our community. Juniper was founded in 2017 by local educators and parents eager to create an academic experience that grows with each individual students’ goals and needs. All students are welcome -- all backgrounds and learning styles, celebrating any ability as a strength to be discovered and focused. As pioneers driven to reform the landscape of public education, their goal is to empower each student with the social-emotional tools and confidence necessary to communicate effectively, solve problems, and flourish into creative, caring citizens. 225 Sawyer Drive, Durango, CO 81303 (970) 764-4185
Durango Montessori Elementary School was established in 2005 and is located in the Smiley Building near downtown Durango. As a nonprofit educational organization our goal is to provide quality education based on the Montessori philosophy for children ages 6 - 11. Durango Montessori houses two separate classrooms, the lower elementary (1st-3rd grade), and an upper elementary classroom (4th-5th grade). There are 20-25 students in each classroom with two or more teachers in each. At Durango Montessori, both state and common core standards are adhered to while teaching the Montessori curriculum. Contact the Director, Michelle Herringer, any time through email: Michelle Herringer or by the school phone, (970) 769-3590.
Liberty School 870 Plymouth Dr, Durango, CO 81301 (970) 385-4834
Bayfield School District 10-JTR consists of one high school, one middle school, one elementary school and one primary school with approximately 1,186 students. 24 S. Clover, Bayfield, CO 81122 (970) 884-2496
Ignacio School District 11-JT consists of one high school, one junior high, one intermediate, and one elementary school with approximately 1,054 students. 315 Ignacio St., Ignacio, CO 81137 (970) 563-9434
Pine River Community Learning Center 535 Condelaria Dr., Ignacio, CO 81137 (970) 563-0681 The Pine River Community Learning Center (PRCLC) is a nonprofit educational organization, serving adults and families in eastern La Plata County for more than 30 years.
