- Crested Butte Secondary School — Grades 6–12 · 400 students
- Gunnison High School — Grades 9–12 · 410 students
- Marble Charter School — Grades K–10 · 34 students
- Gunnison Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 314 students
- Lake Preschool — Grades PK–PK · 74 students
- Gunnison Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 560 students
- Crested Butte Elementary School — Grades K–5 · 303 students
- Rodger Quist Middle Crested Butte — Grades 6–8 · 855 students
- Otho E Stuart Middle Crested Butte — Grades 6–8 · 794 students
- Prairie View Middle Crested Butte — Grades 6–8 · 679 students
- Overland Trail Middle Crested Butte — Grades 6–8 · 581 students
- Vikan Middle Crested Butte — Grades 6–8 · 528 students
- Prairie View High Crested Butte — Grades 9–12 · 1,809 students
- Riverdale Ridge High Crested Butte — Grades 9–12 · 1,784 students
- Brighton High Crested Butte — Grades 9–12 · 1,733 students
- Eagle Ridge Academy — Grades 9–12 · 593 students
- The STEAD Crested Butte — Grades 9–12 · 421 students
- Colorado Connections @ 27J — Grades K–12 · 2,042 students
- Bromley East Charter Crested Butte — Grades PK–8 · 1,214 students
- Foundations Academy — Grades K–8 · 763 students
- Landmark Academy at Reunion — Grades K–8 · 758 students
- Discovery Magnet Crested Butte — Grades K–8 · 692 students
- Belle Creek Charter Crested Butte — Grades K–8 · 519 students
- Northeast Elementary Crested Butte — Grades PK–6 · 470 students
- 27J Online Academy — Grades 6–12 · 336 students
- Innovations & Options — Grades 6–12 · 235 students
- Prairie Vista Youth Services Center — Grades 4–12 · 32 students
| Metric | Gunnison Watershed Crested Butte District RE-1J | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | — | 3,700 | Data not available |
| Number of Schools | 29 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $11,000/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Supervisory Union | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 8/10 — Good | — | Near average |
About Gunnison Watershed School District RE-1J
Gunnison Watershed School District RE-1J is the public school district assigned to zip code 81224 in Crested Butte, Colorado. Serving students from K–12, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 81224. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
According to NCES 2024–2025, Gunnison Watershed School District RE-1J spends approximately $11,000 per student per year, placing it near the Colorado state average of approximately $11,000 and below the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Below-average funding can mean larger class sizes, fewer elective offerings, and limited extracurricular programs. Families with specialized needs should verify specific program availability directly with the district. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
At 7 schools serving grades K–12, Gunnison Watershed School District RE-1J qualifies as a mid-sized district serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 2,061 students in total. Mid-sized districts strike a balance between community-scale relationships and sufficient program breadth. Most offer core academic tracks, basic extracurricular programs, and adequate student support services.
Understanding the 8/10 Rating
With a rating of 8/10 (above average), Gunnison Watershed School District RE-1J ranks among Colorado’s above average-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection. 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.
Gunnison Watershed School District RE-1J earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in Colorado. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 81224
Children in zip code 81224 are assigned to Gunnison Watershed School District RE-1J for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 81224, 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 Gunnison Watershed School District RE-1J at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. 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 Crested Butte
For families considering a purchase in the Crested Butte area, district assignment matters financially. Because Gunnison Watershed School District RE-1J serves zip code 81224, homes in and around zip code 81224 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 Gunnison Watershed School District RE-1J 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 81224.
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, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Gunnison Watershed School District RE-1J before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 81224 data.