Horizons Exploratory Academy in Salida, CO

At a glance

Reported students

NCES CCD 2024–25

Teachers (FTE)

3.5

NCES CCD 2024–25

Student–teacher ratio

9.1:1

Calculated; not a class-size measure

Grades served

09–12

NCES preliminary directory 2025–26

Colorado high enrollment

5th percentile

Compared with 437 same-level schools reporting enrollment.

District median enrollment

200.5

Horizons Exploratory Academy: 32 reported students.

State peer staffing position

9th percentile

9.1:1 reported; state peer median 15.9:1. Ratio is not class size.

Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22

These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.

Students: 29
Teachers (FTE): 3.16
Student–teacher ratio: 9.2:1

What the reported data says about Horizons Exploratory Academy

Horizons Exploratory Academy is a public high school serving grades 09–12 in Salida. It is one of 6 current school records connected to Salida School District No. R-32. NCES reports 32 students for 2024–25.

Among 437 high schools in Colorado with comparable records, this school is smaller than the reported median of 336 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 5th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.

The reported student–teacher ratio is 9.1:1, below the Colorado median of 15.9:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.

The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (87.5%) and multiracial (6.3%). Students served under IDEA represent 17.2%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.

The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.

Questions worth asking Horizons Exploratory Academy

1How do the reported 9.1:1 student–teacher ratio and 3.5 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
2Have the reported academic programs changed since the 2021–22 CRDC collection?
3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 0.54 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?

Bring the full school visit checklist →

Enrollment needs

Students with disabilities: 17.2%
Free/reduced-price lunch: 53.1%
Lunch program: Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)

Reported support staff

Counselors (FTE): 0.54
Nurses (FTE): 0
Psychologists (FTE): 0
Social workers (FTE): 0

CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.

Student demographics

Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment

White87.5%
Hispanic3.1%
Black3.1%
Asian0%
American Indian / Alaska Native0%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
Multiracial6.3%

Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.

Programs reported by the school

AP student enrollment

No students enrolled reported

Gifted and talented

Offered

Computer science

Not reported as offered

CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.

Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.

Salida High School

High · Grades 09–12

409 reported students

Crest Academy

Middle · Grades 05–08

60 reported students

Salida Early Childhood Center

Other · Grades PK–PK

74 reported students

Salida Middle School

Middle · Grades 05–08

327 reported students

Longfellow Elementary School

Elementary · Grades KG–04

449 reported students

View all 6 district schools →

Public schools near Horizons Exploratory Academy

Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.

School	Grades	Students	Distance
Salida Middle School Middle · Salida School District No. R-32	05–08	327	0.1 mi
Salida High School High · Salida School District No. R-32	09–12	409	0.2 mi
Salida Early Childhood Center Other · Salida School District No. R-32	PK–PK	74	0.2 mi
Longfellow Elementary School Elementary · Salida School District No. R-32	KG–04	449	0.4 mi
Salida Montessori Charter School Elementary · Charter · State Charter School Institute	PK–08	186	0.4 mi
Crest Academy Middle · Salida School District No. R-32	05–08	60	0.6 mi

Compare all 7 public schools in Salida, CO →

Frequently asked questions about Horizons Exploratory Academy

What grades does Horizons Exploratory Academy serve?

Horizons Exploratory Academy reports grades 09–12 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as a high school (alternative school) in Salida School District No. R-32.

How many students attend Horizons Exploratory Academy?

Horizons Exploratory Academy reported 32 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 5th percentile among 437 Colorado high schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 29 students.

What is the student–teacher ratio at Horizons Exploratory Academy?

The calculated ratio is 9.1:1, based on 32 students and 3.5 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Colorado median for the same school level is 15.9:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.

Is Horizons Exploratory Academy a public, charter, or magnet school?

Horizons Exploratory Academy is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Salida School District No. R-32 attendance boundaries and transfer rules.

What share of Horizons Exploratory Academy students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?

53.1% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. The school participates in community eligibility, which can provide meals to every student and changes how eligibility is reported. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.

Which school district is Horizons Exploratory Academy in?

Horizons Exploratory Academy is part of Salida School District No. R-32, based in Salida, CO, which operates 6 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.

What public schools are near Horizons Exploratory Academy?

The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Salida Middle School (0.1 mi), Salida High School (0.2 mi), Salida Early Childhood Center (0.2 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.