Best Public Schools in Zip Code 80610

Zip code 80610 serves the small community of Ault, Colorado, and contains two public schools: Highland High School (grades 9–12, 299 students) and Highland Middle School (grades 6–8, 234 students), both part of Weld County School District No. Re-9, a lower-performing district ranked in the 13th percentile statewide.

Comparing the two schools, Highland High School is the stronger performer overall, especially in reading and attendance. Its SAT Reading/Writing proficiency sits at 51%, just 9 points below the state average, while its math proficiency is a concerning 15% (state: 32%). The high school also has a lower chronic absenteeism rate (21.3%) than the district (28.0%) and state (28.4%), along with a favorable 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio. However, its graduation rate of 77.3% trails the state by 8.3 points, and its dropout rate is slightly above average. Highland Middle School struggles more broadly, with ELA proficiency at 19.7% versus 44.7% statewide and math at 25.9% versus 37.3%. Its chronic absenteeism is alarmingly high at 32.0%—higher than both the high school and the state—which likely contributes to weaker academic outcomes. The one bright spot in the middle school is its 7th grade cohort: 31.3% proficient in ELA and 33.3% in math, far exceeding its own 6th and 8th graders and nearly matching the state math average.

For parents, the key takeaways are clear. Math intervention is critically needed at both schools, while literacy is a relative strength at the high school. The middle school would benefit from investigating what is working in 7th grade and replicating it, as well as tackling the chronic absenteeism that sets it back. With only two schools in the district, their scores largely mirror district averages, and neither school is consistently improving—both currently hold 1-star ratings. Despite these challenges, there are identifiable pockets of success that provide a foundation for targeted growth, making this a district with clear opportunities rather than one without hope.