Best Public Schools in Zip Code 80542

Zip code 80542 in Mead, CO is served by two schools — Mead Elementary School (PK–5) and Mead Middle School (6–8) — both part of the highly rated St. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J, with no high school or alternative options within the zip code. Together they enroll about 1,450 students, and both schools earn 4-star ratings while significantly outperforming state averages in every subject.

Mead Middle School is the clear academic standout, ranking in the 87th percentile statewide. Its 8th grade math proficiency of 68.6% towers over the district (48.5%) and state (37.8%), while 8th grade science proficiency reaches 57.9% versus 40.8% district and 35.4% statewide. The school also improved math and science scores year over year. Mead Elementary, by contrast, shines through its attendance culture, with a chronic absenteeism rate of just 7.8% compared to 23.1% for the district and 28.4% for the state. The elementary school shows steady academic growth from 3rd to 5th grade in both ELA and math, and while it ranks slightly lower than the middle school statewide (77th vs. 87th percentile), it still sits far above district and state proficiency averages—especially in math, where it leads the state by nearly 20 points.

One striking difference between the two schools is attendance: chronic absenteeism jumps from 7.8% at the elementary level to 21.8% at the middle school, indicating a transition challenge even though both figures remain better than district and state norms. Both schools serve a similar middle-income population, with about 27% of students eligible for free/reduced lunch, yet their academic emphasis differs—Mead Elementary excels in reading, while Mead Middle School posts remarkable 8th-grade math and science gains. The middle school's math spike from 53.2% in 7th grade to 68.6% in 8th grade is particularly noteworthy. Although Mead Elementary's ranking slipped slightly this year due to modest declines in ELA and science, both schools benefit from a top-20% district that creates a strong PK–8 pathway. Families should be aware that high school options require travel beyond the immediate zip code, but the middle school's strong performance positions students well for whatever comes next.