Best Public Schools in Crested Butte, CO

Crested Butte, Colorado, is served by two schools—Crested Butte Elementary School (grades K–5) and Crested Butte Secondary School (grades 6–12)—both part of the highly ranked Gunnison Watershed School District Re1J, which sits in the top third of Colorado districts. The roughly 703 students across the two schools come from a relatively affluent community, with only about 16% qualifying for free or reduced lunch, and both schools maintain favorable student–teacher ratios near 14–15 students per teacher. There is no standalone middle school or alternative school in the area, so the secondary school serves the full 6–12 grade span on the same Red Lady Avenue campus as the elementary school.

The biggest story is the divergence between the two schools. Crested Butte Elementary School is the clear academic leader, posting 2025–2026 CMAS proficiency rates of 64.4% in English language arts and 57.9% in math—roughly 20 points above district and state averages in each subject. Its statewide ranking has improved three years in a row, placing it in the 86th percentile. In contrast, Crested Butte Secondary School excels in literacy and postsecondary readiness—with 86% proficiency on SAT reading/writing and a 94.3% graduation rate—but struggles sharply in math, where only 31.8% of students are proficient on CMAS and just 40% are proficient on SAT math. The secondary school’s overall state ranking also dropped from the 90th to the 73rd percentile in one year, driven largely by declines in math and science, while the elementary school’s ranking has continued to climb.

Attendance patterns are equally striking: chronic absenteeism at the secondary school is just 12.2%, less than half the state rate, but the elementary school’s rate is 24.2%, near the state average despite similar low poverty levels. This suggests elementary absenteeism may stem from factors like family travel in a mountain resort town rather than economic disadvantage. The secondary school’s very low dropout rate (0.3%) and strong graduation outcomes highlight student persistence. The most important takeaway for parents: this district builds excellent foundational skills in grades K–5, and secondary students read and write exceptionally well, but math proficiency falls off significantly after elementary school—addressing that math gap would make the secondary school a top-tier performer across all subjects.