Summary:
Zip code 81645 is home to a single high school: Vail Ski and Snowboard Academy (VSSA), which serves grades 5–12 with 278 students and is part of the Eagle County School District No. Re 50. As the only high school in the area, VSSA embodies a unique educational model that combines rigorous academics with ski and snowboard training, making it a standout option for families seeking a specialized school environment.
VSSA has consistently ranked among the top Colorado high schools, placing 56th out of 338 schools (83rd percentile, 4 stars) for 2025–2026, after ranking 29th in 2024–2025 and 25th in 2023–2024. Academically, the school far outperforms district and state averages across nearly every subject. For example, SAT Reading/Writing proficiency reached 95%, compared to 57% for the district and 60% statewide, while SAT Math proficiency hit 76% versus 27% and 32%, respectively. The school also boasts a 96.8% graduation rate and a 0.0% dropout rate, both well above district and state benchmarks. However, science proficiency at 29% is a relative weakness, though it still edges out the district's 22.5% and state's 24.8%.
The most striking finding is VSSA's chronic absenteeism rate of 68%, more than double the district's 31.1% and state's 28.4%. Despite this, students achieve exceptional academic results, likely due to the academy's unique structure, where student-athletes balance demanding training schedules with a highly individualized academic environment. Free/reduced lunch data is not reported, which limits a full understanding of the school's socioeconomic profile. For parents, VSSA offers a distinctive combination of top-tier academic performance and a specialized athletic focus, making it one of the strongest and most unique high school options in Colorado.
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