Summary:
ZIP code 80422 (Black Hawk, CO) is served by two public schools—Gilpin County Undivided High School (grades 6–12) and Gilpin County Elementary School (PK–5)—both part of Gilpin County School District No. Re-1, a small district with no standalone middle school.
The high school is the clear standout, improving dramatically from the 62nd to 76th percentile in state rankings and earning a 4-star rating. It graduates 97.3% of students, well above the state’s 85.6%, and posts exceptional results in 11th-grade SAT Reading/Writing (78% proficient vs. 60% statewide) and 11th-grade CMAS Science (42.1% vs. 24.8%). However, math remains the weak spot: overall CMAS math proficiency is just 27.5%, though 9th-grade PSAT math jumped from 33% to 53% in one year. The elementary school is more average, ranking at the 51st percentile with 3 stars. Its 4th-grade ELA is a strength (52.2% vs. 47.0% statewide), but 5th-grade ELA is a serious concern at 38.1% proficiency vs. 49.9% statewide. The elementary school also faces higher economic disadvantage (47.9% free/reduced lunch) and a higher student-teacher ratio (16.7:1) compared to the high school (11.7:1).
The most pressing district-wide issue is chronic absenteeism, affecting 42.2% of high school students and 31.5% of elementary students—both above the state average of 28.4%. Despite this, the high school’s graduation rate is exceptional, suggesting students miss school but still manage to graduate, which raises questions about long-term learning continuity. While the high school is improving rapidly and shows strong science and literacy outcomes, the elementary school has slipped slightly and struggles with 5th-grade achievement. With both schools sharing a campus but serving different grade spans and economic profiles, parents should note the contrasting trajectories: the high school is on the rise, while the elementary school needs attention in math and upper-grade literacy.
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