Summary:
Zip code 80421, located in the mountain community of Bailey, Colorado, is served by a single middle school, Fitzsimmons Middle School, which enrolls 138 students in grades 6–8 as part of Platte Canyon School District No. 1. As the only middle school in the area, it represents the sole educational option for local families, and its strong performance places it in the top 20% of Colorado middle schools, ranking 93rd out of 469 schools statewide for 2024–2025.
Fitzsimmons stands out for its consistently high English Language Arts achievement, with 68.8% of students proficient across all grades—24 percentage points above the state average of 44.8%. This strength is uniform across 6th, 7th, and 8th grades, each exceeding state rates by roughly 22–24 points. The school also excels in 7th-grade math, where 72.2% of students are proficient compared to only 31.8% statewide, a remarkable 40.4-point gap. However, math performance is uneven: 6th-grade math proficiency is 38.9% and 8th-grade is 35.8%, close to state averages. Science proficiency on the 8th-grade assessment is also above average at 47.2% versus 36.4% statewide. With a low student-teacher ratio of 9.1:1 and a free/reduced lunch rate of 35.5%, the school offers a small, supportive learning environment.
Beyond academics, Fitzsimmons reports a chronic absenteeism rate of 19.7%, well below the state’s 28.4% and nearly matching the district's 19.8%, a positive sign for consistent attendance and engagement. Its state ranking has fluctuated in recent years—from 119th in 2022–2023, up to 71st in 2023–2024, then easing to 93rd in 2024–2025—but it remains firmly in the top quartile. The primary area to watch is 6th- and 8th-grade math, which lags far behind the school’s exceptional 7th-grade results. Overall, Fitzsimmons Middle School delivers a strong, above-average education, especially in literacy and early middle-school math, making it a solid choice for families in the Bailey area.
Thank you for your feedback!