All residents of Pagosa Springs are fortunate to have quality educational opportunities available to them. The public school system, Archuleta School District 50 Joint, operates one elementary school (grade K-4), one middle school (grades 5 – 8), and one high school (grades 9-12). They provide a hot lunch and breakfast program every day. The campuses are “closed” and students must either bring a lunch or purchase a lunch either from the main menu or items from a snack bar. Read about the schools below, or visit the School District website.
Pagosa Springs High School
Pagosa Springs High School moved to its current facility in the fall of 1998 near the sports complex. The high school operates on a block schedule, with each student taking 4 courses a semester and each course meeting 95 minutes a day on Monday through Thursday. On Friday each class meets for 70 minutes and school is dismissed at 1:30 p.m. The teachers then utilize the afternoon for planning purposes. With this intense concentration, a normal year’s course is completed in one semester. The student then takes four new courses the second semester, thus completing eight courses a year.
In addition to the excellent academic offerings for students at the high school, a wide range of extracurricular activities are available as well. Pagosa Springs is a 3A school, and is consistently competitive in a number of team sports including basketball, volleyball, wrestling, football, soccer, cross-country team, baseball, track, and cheerleading. The Future Business Leaders of America organization is always a top finisher in the state competition and multiple Destination Imagination teams have qualified for Global Finals. Students at Pagosa Springs High School also participate and distinguish themselves in drama, band, and choir. The district is committed to educating the whole student.Visit the high school’s website
Online High School Options:
Pagosa Springs also offers 2 online high school programs: Southwest Colorado eSchool and G.O.A.L. Academy. Both programs are free of charge. Southwest Colorado eSchool has both part-time and full-time opportunities and offers a full range of high school courses including AP classes and college courses. Visit Southwest Colorado eSchool website for more information. G.O.A.L. Academy is an online charter school program with a drop-in center in Pagosa Springs. They offer full-time online high school programs and GED. Visit G.O.A.L. Academy website for more information.
Pagosa Springs Middle School
Pagosa Springs Middle School, covering grades 5 – 8, is split into two different buildings downtown. The 5th and 6th grade are in the intermediate school building whereas the 7th and 8th grade students are in a larger building across the playground area from each other. All students share the gym, lunch room, and library. School has many needed features such as larger classrooms, technology and Internet links in each room, complete science labs, and a modern library which contains books and other learning materials specifically selected for the students of this age and ability, a bigger gym, a wrestling room, and a weight room. The well-balanced program includes challenging course work in English, math, science (life and earth), social studies (geography and American History), reading, physical education, and technology education.
The teachers provide meaningful learning and expect quality work from their students. The students can expect helpful and friendly teachers in each classroom who work with parents and students to improve learning. In addition to the required classes, a variety of fine arts classes and science and technology-related electives are offered. The eighth graders must choose two electives and the seventh graders may take one elective.
Many extracurricular activities are open to all students. The philosophy is to provide teams at a level where students can compete successfully and all students participate in every game, provided they are in good standing in school. Visit the Middle School Website
Pagosa Springs Elementary School
The Elementary School sits on prime property overlooking the Town of Pagosa Springs. The view of the San Juan Range from the school is enviable. Pagosa Springs Elementary has 24 classrooms in kindergarten
through fourth grade. Each student enjoys instruction in art, music, and physical education. When appropriate, a student’s educational needs may be met through special education, Title l reading or math, or the Gifted/Talented Program.
Speech and language services and occupational and physical therapy are available to students who qualify. A full-time counselor supports students, parents and staff members. At Pagosa Springs Elementary School, the professional staff and community volunteers work together with students and parents to promote excellence. Visit Elementary School Website.
Back to Main Schools Information Page
Visit the Archuleta School District web site