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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

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 metrics
Student Progress2.7Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-2.86 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency50.3%
Math vs. State Avg-7.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.4 pts
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)55%
vs. Expected-15.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
College Readiness4.3Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation16.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,701

Crested Butte Secondary School — Students at Crested Butte Secondary School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

13.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 39.8%
School
State
36.1%
ELA Proficiency 61.8%
School
State
44.9%

Based on 7 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
50%
ELA
63%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
43%
2025
Math
29.1%
ELA
50.3%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.8/10
16th percentile in CO
Academic
5.5/10
5.5/10
Growth
2.7/10
Below average
Environment
7.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
14%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Gunnison Watershed School District Re1J
District Enrollment
2,065
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,480
District Rank
#6 of 7

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 methodology

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