Best Public Schools in Zip Code 80134

ZIP code 80134 in Parker, Colorado, is served by Douglas County School District No. Re 1, a top-ranked district (6th in the state, 5-star rating), and includes 17 schools: 13 elementary-level schools, one middle school, and three high schools, enrolling about 12,064 students. Interestingly, several schools labeled "elementary" actually serve K–8 students, including Leman Classical Academy, North Star Academy, Parker Performing Arts, and Challenge to Excellence Charter School, while Mountain View Elementary School serves only PK–2. Enrollment ranges from just 88 students at Venture Academy of Leadership and Entrepreneurship to 2,007 at Chaparral High School.

The highest-performing schools combine low poverty and strong attendance. Gold Rush Elementary ranks #22 in Colorado (98th percentile) with 80.9% math and 75.5% ELA proficiency, while Challenge to Excellence Charter School ranks #30 and leads the area in math at 81.5%. North Star Academy ranks #50 with the highest ELA proficiency at 84.2%, and Prairie Crossing Elementary School is the most improved, jumping from #119 to #41. At the high school level, Chaparral High School leads with a 96.9% graduation rate and 78% SAT reading/writing proficiency, while Ponderosa High School also exceeds district averages. However, math is the area's clear weakness — even Chaparral posts just 48% SAT math proficiency, and Venture Academy of Leadership and Entrepreneurship has only 13% despite 77% in reading/writing.

Chronic absenteeism and economic disadvantage strongly track with outcomes. Top schools like Gold Rush, Challenge to Excellence, North Star, and Prairie Crossing all have absenteeism between 9.9% and 12.6%, while Sagewood Middle School (26.3%), Cherokee Trail Elementary School (24.4%), and Venture Academy (23.7%) struggle more academically. Science proficiency varies widely, from 83.3% at Challenge to Excellence to 30.0% at Legacy Point Elementary School. Several schools are trending upward — including Prairie Crossing and Parker Performing Arts — while Global Village Academy - Douglas County and Northeast Elementary School have declined. Families in 80134 have genuine school choice, but outcomes vary greatly depending on the school selected.