Summary:
Zip code 81611 in Aspen, Colorado, is served by three public schools—Aspen Elementary School (PK–4), Aspen Middle School (5–8), and Aspen High School (9–12)—all part of the highly rated Aspen School District No. 1, which ranks 4th out of 115 Colorado districts with a 5-star rating.
Across the district, these schools share a common strength: low student-teacher ratios (12–13:1) and above-average test scores in most subjects. Aspen High School is the clear academic leader, posting a 97.9% graduation rate and strong SAT results—86% proficient in reading/writing and 48% in math, versus 60% and 32% statewide. Aspen Elementary School provides a solid foundation, exceeding state averages in both English language arts (52.7% vs. 44.7%) and math (55.6% vs. 37.3%), and its chronic absenteeism rate of 24.2% is actually below the state average. Aspen Middle School is the relative weak link: it still beats state averages, but its ELA (49.1%) and math (43.9%) proficiency lag the district’s own averages, and its chronic absenteeism rate (37.8%) is higher than the elementary level.
The most striking finding is the chronic absenteeism crisis in the upper grades: nearly half (47.7%) of Aspen High students are chronically absent, and the middle school rate is also far above the state average (28.4%). Yet academic performance remains high, suggesting a split between highly prepared attendees and disengaged students. Math is also a consistent challenge district-wide—only at the elementary level does math proficiency slightly exceed ELA. Overall, families will find a well-resourced, high-performing district with small classes and exceptional high school outcomes, but they should ask school leaders about attendance patterns and math support, especially beginning in middle school.
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