Best Public Schools in Zip Code 81132

Zip code 81132 in Del Norte, Colorado is served by two public schools within the Upper Rio Grande School District C-7 — Del Norte Elementary School (grades K–6, 187 students) and Del Norte High Junior/Senior High School (grades 7–12, 173 students) — with no standalone middle school and both campuses reflecting a small, rural community where over half of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Del Norte High Junior/Senior High School is the clear standout. Its statewide rank has improved dramatically from the 25th percentile in 2023–2024 to the 57th percentile in 2025–2026, earning a 3-star rating. The school’s graduation rate (89.3%) exceeds the state average (85.6%), and its CMAS ELA and math proficiency rates (46.6% and 37.9%) essentially match or slightly exceed state averages. Eighth-grade students perform especially well, with ELA proficiency at 57.1% and math at 50%, well above state levels. The school also posts strong PSAT9 and PSAT10 reading scores (78% and 75%), though SAT reading and math lag behind. Interestingly, the high school has a 38.5% chronic absenteeism rate — 10 points above the state — yet still achieves these results, suggesting that while engaged students thrive, a significant segment of the student body is missing class.

Del Norte Elementary School is the area’s lower-performing school, ranking in the 27th percentile with a 1-star rating. All-grade proficiency is well below state averages in ELA (26% vs. 44.7%), math (19% vs. 37.3%), and science (24% vs. 36.1%). Early literacy is a critical concern, with just 13% of 3rd graders proficient in ELA compared to the state’s 40.8%. Chronic absenteeism sits at 16.4%, lower than the high school but still notable. Both schools enjoy low student–teacher ratios (8.9 and 11.8), and the district itself holds a 3-star rating, ranking 44th out of 115 Colorado districts. The contrast is clear: the high school shows strong momentum and recovery in middle grades, but the elementary school’s foundational weaknesses, especially in reading, demand urgent attention to ensure long-term success.