Summary:
Zip code 81435 covers the Telluride, Colorado area and contains 4 schools serving grades PK–12, all part of the highly rated Telluride School District No. R-1, which ranks 11th out of 115 districts in Colorado. The district includes Telluride Elementary School (PK–2), Telluride Intermediate School (3–6), Telluride Middle School (7–8), and Telluride High School (9–12), totaling 799 students.
Telluride High School is the clear academic standout, ranking 32nd of 338 Colorado high schools with a 97.9% graduation rate and SAT math proficiency exactly double the state average (64% vs 32%). Telluride Middle School is also strong, particularly in English Language Arts, where 74.1% of students are proficient compared to 44.7% statewide. Telluride Elementary School has no test data but stands out for its exceptionally low 7.6:1 student–teacher ratio, offering small classes during critical early learning years. The weak link is Telluride Intermediate School, which has fallen to 424th place among Colorado elementary schools—a significant drop from 261st the prior year—with sharp declines in ELA, math, and especially 5th grade science proficiency (27.9% vs 36.1% statewide).
One notable paradox is that Telluride Middle and High Schools post excellent academics yet have chronic absenteeism rates above the state average (37.6% and 32.9% vs 28.4%). All four schools share a nearly identical economic profile, with free/reduced lunch eligibility around 30%, making comparisons between them fair. The district is clearly carried by its older students, and families considering the area should be aware that Telluride Intermediate School is the priority area for improvement in an otherwise high-performing district.
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