Summary:
Zip code 81422 (Naturita, Colorado) contains just one school, Nucla Elementary School, a public elementary school serving grades PK through 6 with 161 students within West End School District No. Re-2. This small, rural school serves a predominantly low-income population, with 55.9% of students eligible for free/reduced lunch, and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.1:1. There are no middle schools, high schools, or alternative schools in this zip code.
Academically, Nucla Elementary presents a mixed picture. The school consistently outperforms its district in math, posting 33.9% proficiency in 2025-2026 compared to the district's 30.2%, and 27.0% in 2024-2025 versus the district's 24.5%. However, math results still trail state averages of 37.3% and 35.9%, respectively. English Language Arts is a clear weakness, with the school at 31.1% proficiency in 2024-2025 compared to the district's 34.9% and the state's 44.8% — a nearly 14-point gap. Science proficiency in 5th grade dropped sharply from 35.3% in 2024-2025 to 20.0% in 2025-2026, well below the state's 36.1%.
The school has held a consistent 2-star state rating for three consecutive years, ranking in the 35th to 38th percentile among Colorado elementary schools. Chronic absenteeism is a notable concern at 36.1%, nearly 8 points above the state rate of 28.4%, though better than the district's high rate of 43.7%. The most encouraging trend is the substantial 6.9-point improvement in math proficiency from one year to the next, suggesting targeted instructional strategies may be working. With only about 20-25 students per grade, proficiency percentages can swing dramatically year to year, so families should interpret these changes with some caution. Overall, Nucla Elementary shows promise in math while facing ongoing challenges in reading, science, and attendance.
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