Below Average
#1528 of 1,815 schools in CO
Crested Butte Secondary School
High School · Gunnison Watershed School District Re1J
P O BOX 339, Crested Butte, CO 81224
Enrollment
403
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
4.8
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
403
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
4.8
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Crested Butte
#2 of 2
public schools
Colorado high schools
#340 of 403
In district
#6 of 7
Gunnison Watershed School District Re1J
School environment
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Crested Butte Secondary School
Crested Butte Secondary School serves 403 students in grades 6 through 12 in the heart of Colorado's Rocky Mountains. This public school maintains a favorable 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio with 28 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention in a close-knit educational environment. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #329 out of 1,831 Colorado schools, placing it in the 82nd percentile statewide.
With an academic score of 7.8 out of 10, students show steady achievement across grade levels, including 43% proficiency or above in mathematics. The school draws from a highly educated community where 71% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating a supportive environment for learning. The surrounding area reflects economic stability with a median household income of $84,769 and a notably low poverty rate of just 4.1%.
However, the median home value of $853,400 indicates the challenges of an expensive mountain resort community. Located in remote rural Colorado, Crested Butte Secondary School offers students the unique opportunity to learn in one of the state's most spectacular natural settings, where the intimate mountain community atmosphere enhances the educational experience.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Crested Butte Secondary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Crested Butte Secondary School — Students at Crested Butte Secondary School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
13.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 7 test records from CO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.7/10.
How Crested Butte Secondary School Compares
See how Crested Butte Secondary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 50% (2019) to 29.05% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 63% (2019) to 50.34% (2025).
Location
P O BOX 339, Crested Butte, CO 81224
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Crested Butte Secondary School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Basalt High School (rated 8.4/10, 34.1 miles away, in nearby Basalt), which scores notably higher. Another option is Aspen High School (rated 7.1/10, 23.4 miles away, in nearby Aspen), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Gunnison High School (rated 3.8/10, 22.0 miles away, in nearby Gunnison), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Crested Butte, see our Crested Butte schools guide .
Nearby Schools
13 within 34.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Crested Butte Elementary School Crested Butte | 0.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Marble Charter School Marble | 18.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Gunnison Middle School Gunnison | 21.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Gunnison Elementary School Gunnison | 21.6 mi | 8.0 |
| Lake Preschool Gunnison | 21.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Gunnison High School Gunnison | 22.0 mi | 3.8 |
| ASPEN COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Aspen | 22.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Aspen High School Aspen | 23.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Aspen Preschool Aspen | 23.5 mi | — |
| Aspen Middle School Aspen | 23.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Aspen Elementary School Aspen | 23.6 mi | 8.0 |
| Aspen Community Charter School Woody Creek | 29.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Basalt High School Basalt | 34.1 mi | 8.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 81224 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$97,535
Median Home Value
$862,100
Median Rent
$1,408/mo
Population
3,439
College Educated
72.5%
Homeownership
73.6%
Poverty Rate
4.1%
Median Age
42.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Crested Butte Secondary School has a median household income of $97,535. It is a well-educated community where 73% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $862,100, with a median rent of $1,408/month. The local poverty rate of 4.1% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Excel Academy Denver, CO | 4.8 |
| Highland High School Ault, CO | 4.8 |
| Pathways Future Center Thornton, CO | 4.8 |
| Poudre Community Academy Fort Collins, CO | 4.8 |
| 27J Online Academy Brighton, CO | 4.7 |
| Centauri High School La Jara, CO | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Crested Butte Secondary School
What grades does Crested Butte Secondary School serve?
Crested Butte Secondary School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Crested Butte Secondary School?
Crested Butte Secondary School has an enrollment of approximately 403 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Crested Butte Secondary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Crested Butte Secondary School is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Crested Butte Secondary School rank in CO?
Crested Butte Secondary School is ranked #1528 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Crested Butte Secondary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Crested Butte Secondary School has a composite rating of 4.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Crested Butte Secondary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Crested Butte Secondary School has 39.8% math proficiency and 61.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Crested Butte Secondary School a charter school?
No, Crested Butte Secondary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Crested Butte Secondary School a Title I school?
No, Crested Butte Secondary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Crested Butte Secondary School?
13.9% of students at Crested Butte Secondary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Average (663/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Crested Butte). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 403
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 13.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Gunnison County
- Phone
- (970) 641-7720
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Gunnison Watershed School District Re1J- District Enrollment
- 2,065
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,480
- District Rank
- #6 of 7
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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