Manzanola is a small rural town located in the southeastern part of Colorado in the Arkansas Valley in Otero County. This area is known for producing much of the fruit and vegetables of the state of Colorado. The elevation of Manzanola is 4255 and the population is between 450 and 500.

Manzanola School District 3J is comprised of Manzanola Elementary School (K-5) and Manzanola Jr-Sr High School (6-12). The current enrollment of each school is about 85 students. Bobcat Pride runs deep throughout this small community.

Manzanola School District offers concurrent credit classes through Otero Junior College in La Junta, where students receive both high school and college credit, in the areas of Math, English, and Speech. Also the district encourages students to take classes at OJC, either in person or online, and will pay tuition for up to 5 classes per semester, which includes concurrent classes.

High School athletic teams offered include 6-man football, girls volleyball, basketball, wrestling and baseball. Arrangements are being made with area schools for interested students to participate in cross-country, golf, softball and track. Junior High athletic teams include football, girls volleyball, baseball, basketball and track.

Clubs and other activities include FFA, Student Council, National Honor Society, Claws for a Cause, Robotics, Art and Drama.

Manzanola School District has been awarded a BEST Grant to build a new addition to the existing Temple Buell Jr/Sr High School building, which is on track to be completed in August 2021. Beginning June 2021, the Temple Buell building will be closed for renovations.