- Tavelli Elementary School — 2.6 mi · Grades PK–5 · 519 students
- Rice Elementary School — 3.1 mi · Grades PK–5 · 401 students
- Wellington Middle-High School — 4.5 mi · Grades 6–12 · 1,173 students
- Eyestone Elementary School — 4.6 mi · Grades PK–5 · 619 students
- Lincoln Middle School — 5.2 mi · Grades 6–8 · 552 students
- Laurel Elementary School — 5.2 mi · Grades PK–5 · 412 students
- Centennial High School — 5.3 mi · Grades 9–12 · 118 students
- Putnam Elementary School — 5.4 mi · Grades PK–5 · 258 students
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| Metric | Poudre School District R-1 | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 29,995 | 3,544 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 52 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $15,698/yr | $17,619/yr | ↓ 11% below avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 10/10 — Excellent | — | Above average |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 160 rated districts in CO → 93rd percentile → 10/10.
Source: Colorado Dept. of Education CMAS, all grades Met/Exceeded Expectations, 2025. Full methodology →
About Poudre School District R-1
Poudre School District R-1 is the public school district assigned to zip code 80524 in Fort Collins, Colorado. Serving students from Pre-K – 12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 80524. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Understanding the 10/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Poudre School District R-1 10 out of 10 — top-tier among Colorado public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Colorado’s CMAS assessments (2025 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Colorado is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Poudre School District R-1 ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in Colorado on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 80524 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 80524
Children in zip code 80524 are assigned to Poudre School District R-1 for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 80524, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Poudre School District R-1 at (970)482-7420 or visit www.psdschools.org/. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Colorado districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Fort Collins
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Poudre School District R-1 serves zip code 80524, homes in and around zip code 80524 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Colorado, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Poudre School District R-1 programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 80524.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Poudre School District R-1 before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 80524 data.