Best Public Schools in Zip Code 81224

Zip code 81224 (Crested Butte, Colorado) is served by two schools—Crested Butte Elementary School and Crested Butte Secondary School—which together provide a seamless K–12 pathway for over 700 students within the Gunnison Watershed School District Re1J, a district ranked in the top third of Colorado (73rd percentile, 4 stars). Both schools share the same campus on Red Lady Avenue and benefit from moderate class sizes and low poverty rates, with only about 16% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

Crested Butte Elementary School is the clear academic powerhouse: it ranks in the 86th percentile statewide and posts proficiency rates roughly 20 points above state averages in both ELA (64.4% vs. 44.7%) and math (57.9% vs. 37.3%). In contrast, Crested Butte Secondary School excels in postsecondary readiness and stability, with a 94.3% graduation rate, a dropout rate near zero, and outstanding SAT/PSAT reading and writing scores (86–88% proficient vs. 60–65% statewide). However, the secondary school’s math proficiency on CMAS (31.8%) falls below both district and state averages, suggesting a noticeable math achievement slide after elementary, even though the secondary school still earns 4 stars and ranks in the 73rd percentile.

Literacy is the district’s greatest strength—both schools dramatically outpace Colorado in reading and writing at every grade level. The secondary school’s ranking is volatile (5 stars in 2024–25, 4 stars in 2025–26), likely due to small cohort sizes, while the elementary school has steadily improved its state rank over three years. One anomaly worth noting: despite low poverty and strong test scores, Crested Butte Elementary School has a 24.2% chronic absenteeism rate, nearly matching the state average—possibly influenced by family travel or winter weather. Overall, this area offers high-performing schools with exceptional literacy outcomes and strong graduation metrics, making the elementary school the top choice for academic proficiency and the secondary school a reliable path to college readiness.