- Buena Vista High School — Grades 9–12 · 256 students
- Buena Vista Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 211 students
- Avery/Parsons Elementary School — Grades K–5 · 383 students
- Chaffee County High School — Grades 7–12 · 15 students
- The Grove BVSD's Early Learning Program — Grades PK–PK · 60 students
- Rodger Quist Middle Nathrop — Grades 6–8 · 855 students
- Otho E Stuart Middle Nathrop — Grades 6–8 · 794 students
- Prairie View Middle Nathrop — Grades 6–8 · 679 students
- Overland Trail Middle Nathrop — Grades 6–8 · 581 students
- Vikan Middle Nathrop — Grades 6–8 · 528 students
- Prairie View High Nathrop — Grades 9–12 · 1,809 students
- Riverdale Ridge High Nathrop — Grades 9–12 · 1,784 students
- Brighton High Nathrop — Grades 9–12 · 1,733 students
- Eagle Ridge Academy — Grades 9–12 · 593 students
- The STEAD Nathrop — Grades 9–12 · 421 students
- Colorado Connections @ 27J — Grades K–12 · 2,042 students
- Bromley East Charter Nathrop — Grades PK–8 · 1,214 students
- Foundations Academy — Grades K–8 · 763 students
- Landmark Academy at Reunion — Grades K–8 · 758 students
- Discovery Magnet Nathrop — Grades K–8 · 692 students
- Belle Creek Charter Nathrop — Grades K–8 · 519 students
- Northeast Elementary Nathrop — Grades PK–6 · 470 students
- 27J Online Academy — Grades 6–12 · 336 students
- Innovations & Options — Grades 6–12 · 235 students
- Prairie Vista Youth Services Center — Grades 4–12 · 32 students
| Metric | Buena Vista Nathrop District R-31 | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 1,032 | 3,700 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 5 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $11,000/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 6/10 — Average | — | Near average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buena Vista School District R-31 (this district) | 6/10 | 58th | 1,032 |
| School District 27J | 4/10 | 39th | 22,713 |
| School District 49 | 8/10 | 71st | 24,517 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 160 rated districts in CO → 58th percentile → 6/10.
Source: Colorado Dept. of Education CMAS, all grades Met/Exceeded Expectations, 2025. Full methodology →
About Buena Vista School District R-31
Buena Vista School District R-31 is the public school district assigned to zip code 81236 in Nathrop, Colorado. Serving students from K–12, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 81236. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
Public school districts in Colorado spend approximately $11,000 per student per year on average (state-level estimate; district-level figures vary), below the national average (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Below-average funding can mean larger class sizes, fewer elective offerings, and limited extracurricular programs. Families with specialized needs should verify specific program availability directly with the district. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
At 5 schools serving grades K–12, Buena Vista School District R-31 qualifies as a mid-sized district serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 1,032 students in total. Mid-sized districts strike a balance between community-scale relationships and sufficient program breadth. Most offer core academic tracks, basic extracurricular programs, and adequate student support services.
Understanding the 6/10 Rating
With a rating of 6/10 (average), Buena Vista School District R-31 ranks among Colorado’s average-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Colorado’s CMAS assessments (2025 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Colorado is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Buena Vista School District R-31 earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in Colorado. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 81236
Children in zip code 81236 are assigned to Buena Vista School District R-31 for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 81236, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Buena Vista School District R-31 at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Colorado districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Nathrop
For families considering a purchase in the Nathrop area, district assignment matters financially. Because Buena Vista School District R-31 serves zip code 81236, district assignment still factors into home-pricing comparisons between zip code 81236 and neighboring areas. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Colorado, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Buena Vista School District R-31 programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 81236.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Buena Vista School District R-31 before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 81236 data.