Summary:
Zip code 80741 in Merino, Colorado, is served by two small schools within the School District No. Re-4 Buffalo, together covering kindergarten through 12th grade with about 314 students on a shared campus.
Merino Elementary School stands out for its excellent attendance and efficiency. Chronic absenteeism is just 12.3%—less than half the district and state rates of about 28%—and its student-teacher ratio is a comfortable 14.4:1. With a moderate free/reduced lunch rate of 26.4%, the elementary school appears stable and supportive. By contrast, Merino Junior Senior High School shows a more mixed picture. On one hand, its graduation rate is strong at 92.0% versus the state's 85.6%, and its dropout rate is very low. Reading and writing are clear strengths, especially on PSAT exams where 9th and 10th graders beat state averages by 7–11 points. However, chronic absenteeism at the high school is a serious concern at 44.6%, more than three times the elementary school's rate and far above the state average of 28.4%.
Math performance at the high school is inconsistent and raises red flags, particularly for 11th graders. In 2025–2026, 9th and 10th graders scored well above the state in math (58% and 57% proficient vs. 40% and 39%), but 11th graders plummeted to just 15% proficient on the SAT math, compared to 32% statewide. This pattern repeated the previous year, suggesting math skills are not sustained into upper high school. Interestingly, the district itself earns a 4-star rating and ranks 20th in Colorado, likely boosted by the elementary school's performance, while the high school's own ranking sits at the 64th percentile. For parents, the takeaway is that Merino offers a strong elementary foundation and excellent literacy and graduation outcomes at the secondary level, but high school attendance and upper-level math remain significant challenges.
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