For the 2026 school year, there are 12 public preschools serving 4,238 students in Garfield County, CO.
The top-ranked public preschools in Garfield County, CO are Sopris Elementary School, Kathryn Senor Elementary School and Elk Creek Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Garfield County, CO public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 22% (versus the Colorado public pre school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 30% (versus the 42% statewide average). Pre schools in Garfield County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Colorado public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 60% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Colorado public preschool average of 52% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Garfield County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Sopris Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1150 Mount Sopris Drive
Glenwood Springs, CO 81602
(970) 384-5400
Glenwood Springs, CO 81602
(970) 384-5400
Gr: PK-5 | 385 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #22.
Kathryn Senor Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
101 Alder Avenue
New Castle, CO 81647
(970) 665-7700
New Castle, CO 81647
(970) 665-7700
Gr: PK-5 | 286 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #33.
Elk Creek Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
804 West Main Street
New Castle, CO 81647
(970) 665-6900
New Castle, CO 81647
(970) 665-6900
Gr: PK-5 | 266 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #44.
Cactus Valley Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
222 Grand Avenue
Silt, CO 81652
(970) 665-7850
Silt, CO 81652
(970) 665-7850
Gr: PK-5 | 493 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #55.
Wamsley Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
225 East 30th Street
Rifle, CO 81650
(970) 665-7950
Rifle, CO 81650
(970) 665-7950
Gr: PK-5 | 402 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Crystal River Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
160 Snowmass Drive
Carbondale, CO 81623
(970) 384-5620
Carbondale, CO 81623
(970) 384-5620
Gr: PK-4 | 447 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Graham Mesa Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1575 Farmstead Parkway
Rifle, CO 81650
(970) 665-7500
Rifle, CO 81650
(970) 665-7500
Gr: PK-5 | 427 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #88.
Riverview School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
228 Flying M Road
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
(970) 510-0252
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
(970) 510-0252
Gr: PK-8 | 395 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #99.
Highland Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1500 East 7th Street
Rifle, CO 81650
(970) 665-6800
Rifle, CO 81650
(970) 665-6800
Gr: PK-5 | 418 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #1010.
Glenwood Springs Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
915 School Street
Glenwood Springs, CO 81602
(970) 384-5450
Glenwood Springs, CO 81602
(970) 384-5450
Gr: PK-5 | 451 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: n/an/a
100 East Second Street
Parachute, CO 81635
(970) 285-5702
Parachute, CO 81635
(970) 285-5702
Gr: PK-1 | 268 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: n/an/a
695 Red Mt Drive
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
(970) 948-3581
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
(970) 948-3581
Gr: PK
Garfield County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
741 Tamarisk Trail
Parachute, CO 81635
(970) 285-5700
Parachute, CO 81635
(970) 285-5700
Gr: PK | 50 students Minority enrollment: 52%
600 South 3rd
Carbondale, CO 81623
(970) 384-5650
Carbondale, CO 81623
(970) 384-5650
Gr: K-5 | 411 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
703 Railroad Ave
Rifle, CO 81650
(970) 625-7895
Rifle, CO 81650
(970) 625-7895
Gr: 6-12 | 308 students Student-teacher ratio: 308:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
460 Stone Quarry Rd
Parachute, CO 81635
(970) 285-5701
Parachute, CO 81635
(970) 285-5701
Gr: 4-5 | 169 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Project Rebound High School (Closed 2014)
Special Education School
695 Red Mountain Dr
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
(970) 945-9546
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
(970) 945-9546
Gr: 8-12 | 14 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Yampah Teen Parent Program High School (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
695 Red Mountain Dr
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
(970) 945-9463
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
(970) 945-9463
Gr: 9-12 | 33 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public preschools in Garfield County, CO?
The top-ranked public preschools in Garfield County, CO include Sopris Elementary School, Kathryn Senor Elementary School and Elk Creek Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Garfieldunty?
12 public preschools are located in Garfieldunty.
What is the racial composition of students in Garfieldunty?
Garfieldunty public preschools minority enrollment is 60% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Colorado public preschools average of 52% (majority Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Garfieldunty are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Garfieldunty include: Kathryn Senor Elementary School vs. Elk Creek Elementary School, Cactus Valley Elementary School vs. Elk Creek Elementary School, Highland Elementary School vs. Graham Mesa Elementary School
Recent Articles
Year-Round Schooling in 2026: Updated Parent Guide
Explore the latest 2026 data, trends, costs, and parent planning tips in the ongoing debate over year-round schooling vs the traditional calendar.
No Child Left Behind: Past, Present, and Future of U.S. School Policy
Explore how No Child Left Behind evolved into ESSA, what it means for 2025‑26 schooling, and what parents need to know about testing, admissions planning, and funding.
Understanding Public School Fees & Optional Costs Guide
Discover what public school fees are required versus optional, with 2026 updates for parents, students, and educators on budgeting and planning.
