Best Public Schools in Zip Code 81030

Zip code 81030 is served by a single school, Cheraw School, a Pre-K through 12th grade campus in Cheraw, Colorado, operating as Cheraw School District No. 31. Because this is a one-school district, the school’s performance defines the entire educational experience for the community. Cheraw School is designated as an alternative school, but it serves a full PK–12 population and is the only campus in the district, so this label likely reflects rural operational structure rather than a specialized curriculum. With 209 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.4, it offers a small, close-knit learning environment.

The standout achievement at Cheraw School is its 8th grade performance on CMAS tests. In math, 75% of 8th graders met or exceeded state standards, compared to 37.8% statewide, and in science 62.5% did so versus 35.4% statewide. Even in English language arts, 8th graders beat the state by nearly 8 points. The school also posted a perfect 100% graduation rate and a 0% dropout rate in 2021–2022. However, all-grade proficiency tells a more mixed story. In 2025–2026, Cheraw trailed the state in both ELA (32.1% vs. 44.7%) and math (33.3% vs. 37.3%), though the prior year the school’s math score of 40.3% actually exceeded the state’s 35.9%. On PSAT 9 and PSAT 10, Cheraw students also scored below state averages in math and reading/writing.

The most concerning metric is chronic absenteeism: 36.3% of students were chronically absent in 2024–2025, well above the state’s 28.4%. This creates a striking tension with the school’s perfect graduation rate—it suggests students who attend may be very well supported, but many are missing significant instructional time. About 46% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating moderate economic need. For families considering this area, Cheraw School offers a remarkable 8th grade program and strong completion rates, but also shows uneven achievement across grade levels and an attendance challenge that families should watch closely. As the sole school in the district, its strengths and struggles directly shape every student’s experience in zip code 81030.