Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 80433

Zip code 80433 in Conifer, Colorado is served by a single elementary school, West Jefferson Elementary School, which enrolls students in grades PK through 5 and is part of Jefferson County School District No. R-1. As the only elementary school in the area, West Jefferson stands out for its strong academic performance, ranking 156th out of 943 Colorado elementary schools for the 2025–2026 school year, placing it in the 83rd percentile. Its state rank has improved steadily over three years, moving from 207th (2023–24) to 200th (2024–25) to its current 156th, reflecting consistent gains relative to schools across the state.

West Jefferson significantly outperforms both district and state averages in all tested subjects. In 2025–2026, English Language Arts proficiency reached 66.7% (compared to 53.7% district and 44.7% state), math reached 58.9% (compared to 44.6% district and 37.3% state), and 5th-grade science reached 60.7% (compared to 46.2% district and 36.1% state). Grade-level data show that 3rd grade is the strongest cohort, with 75% math proficiency and nearly 74% ELA proficiency, while 4th and 5th grade math dips to the low 50s, suggesting a need for targeted math support in upper elementary grades. Year-over-year, ELA improved by 8.3 points and math by 3.8 points, though science declined by 6 points. The school also reports a favorable student-teacher ratio of 14.7, and a free/reduced lunch rate of 22.62%, indicating a comparatively advantaged student population. Chronic absenteeism sits at 20.8%, lower than the district (26.6%) and state (28.4%), but still affects roughly one in five students.

Overall, West Jefferson is a top-performing, improving school that offers a strong educational option for families in Conifer. Its proficiency rates are consistently 20–25 points above state averages, and its rising state rank points to positive momentum. The main areas to watch are the upper-grade math dip, the recent science decline, and chronic absenteeism, which could impact learning despite the low student-teacher ratio. While the school serves a relatively advantaged population, its performance exceeds what might be expected even for similar schools, especially in ELA and science. As the sole elementary school in zip code 80433, West Jefferson remains a highly attractive public school within Jefferson County, with academic outcomes that are well above district and state benchmarks.