schoolsbycounty

Pitkin County Schools & Education

School Score

95/100

Percentile-style score

Score Band

Higher Signal

Graduation Rate

97.0%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

97.0%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 83.1%

Per-Pupil Spending

$11,236

National avg $13,239

State avg $7,447

School Score

95/100

Percentile-style score

State avg 36/100

State Score Position

#3

of 63 counties by score

Education Data Brief: Pitkin County

Measured School Summary

Pitkin County has a higher measured school signal with a school score of 95/100 and a graduation rate of 97.0%, based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-score inputs.

Funding Context

Pitkin County spends $11,236 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 163% above the Colorado average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 13.9 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 51% higher than the state norm.

School Data Brief

How to read Pitkin County before comparing districts

County-level education data is best used as a screening layer. It summarizes the local school environment, then points you toward the district and school records that matter for local review.

Local context that changes the interpretation

7 public schools and 2 districts are represented below. Use those school and district records to confirm whether the county-level context fits the neighborhoods you are actually considering.

Overall screen

95/100

Higher measured signal. Ranks #3 of 63 Colorado counties with school score data.

Completion

97.0%

13.9 pts above the state average

Funding context

$11,236

$3,789 above the state average

School coverage

7

2 districts represented in the county school list.

Start with measured county context

This county screens well on the combined school metrics available here. Compare the score, graduation rate, and spending together rather than treating any single metric as final.

Check the local school mix

Pitkin County has 7 public schools across 2 districts, so school-level fit can vary inside the county.

Verify local rules

Use this page as county-level context, then confirm attendance zones, transportation, special programs, and current school boundaries with local districts.

Parent decision brief

What Pitkin County school data means before you move

County averages are useful for screening, but parents choose addresses, grade pathways, and district rules. This brief turns the public data into the checks that matter before you sign a lease or mortgage.

Small-system county

Pitkin County has a compact public-school footprint. A single school change, boundary rule, or district update can move the lived experience more than the county score suggests.

State position

#3

of 63 Colorado counties with school score data. The county score is 59 points above the state average.

Data confidence

Usable

3 of 5 county signals are present, and 100% of listed schools report enrollment. Compare schools, then verify missing fields locally.

K-12 continuity check

These are the largest visible district slices in the county data. They show whether elementary, middle, and high school records appear together or whether a family needs to investigate transition points.

Aspen School District No. 1 in the county of Pitkin and Sta

Elementary to high school visible

1,572 students

Elementary 2Middle 1High 1Other 1

5 listed schools in this county slice.

Roaring Fork School District No. Re-1

Middle and high visible

867 students

Elementary 0Middle 1High 1Other 0

2 listed schools in this county slice.

District reality check

Roaring Fork School District No. Re-1 is the largest listed district slice, with 13 schools. County pages do not prove address assignment, so verify boundaries with local district tools.

What the data cannot tell you

NCES records do not confirm current attendance zones, private-school options, transfer approvals, program capacity, transportation, or whether a listed school is available to a specific address.

Questions to ask before choosing an address

Which district actually serves the addresses we are considering in Pitkin County?

Do the neighborhoods we like fall inside the same district, or are we comparing different Pitkin County district systems?

What changes at the elementary-to-middle and middle-to-high transitions in the district pathway we would likely use?

Which charter, magnet, or virtual options require a lottery, application window, separate transportation plan, or address eligibility check?

Are the largest listed schools the ones our address can actually attend, or are they only county-level context?

Education Overview

About Schools in Pitkin County, Colorado

This context is screened for neutral school-data wording and should be read alongside the current metrics on this page. It is not school advice.

A Small and Focused Academic Infrastructure

Pitkin County operates a streamlined education system consisting of seven total public schools across two districts. This compact network serves 2,439 students with a balanced distribution of two elementary, two middle, and two high schools.

Elite Graduation Rates and Strategic Funding

The county boasts an exceptional 97.0% graduation rate, significantly outpacing the Colorado average of 83.1% and the national mark of 87.0%. While the $11,236 per-pupil expenditure is below the national average, it remains well above the state average of $7,447.

The Roaring Fork and Aspen District Powerhouses

The Roaring Fork School District No. Re-1 is the region's largest provider, though the Aspen School District specifically serves 1,572 students within its five local schools. One charter school operates here, representing approximately 14.3% of the county's educational options.

Town-Centered Learning in the High Rockies

Most students attend one of the five town-based schools, where the average school size is a manageable 348 students. Aspen High School is the largest campus with 529 students, offering a personal but robust academic environment.

School Overview

Total Schools

7

in Pitkin County

Reported Enrollment

2,439

7 schools reporting

School Districts

2

districts

Charter Schools

1

14% of total

School Level Breakdown

Elementary2
Middle2
High2
Other1

2 School Districts in Pitkin County

Roaring Fork School District No. Re-1

Guide
13 schools
5,382 students
Open district guide

Aspen School District No. 1 in the county of Pitkin and Sta

5 schools
1,572 students

7 Public Schools in Pitkin County

Sorted by reported enrollment. Every NCES public school remains listed here; no school-level profile pages are included in the current generated coverage for this county.

NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance data

Level

Showing 7 of 7 matching schools

Aspen High School

Aspen School District No. 1 in the county of Pitkin and Sta

ASPEN, 81611 / Town: Remote

Record9–12High529 students

Basalt High School

Roaring Fork School District No. Re-1

BASALT, 81621 / Rural: Fringe

Record9–12High455 students

Aspen Middle School

Aspen School District No. 1 in the county of Pitkin and Sta

ASPEN, 81611 / Town: Remote

Record5–8Middle443 students

Aspen Elementary School

Aspen School District No. 1 in the county of Pitkin and Sta

ASPEN, 81611 / Town: Remote

RecordPK–4Primary440 students

Basalt Middle School

Roaring Fork School District No. Re-1

BASALT, 81621 / Town: Remote

Record5–8Middle412 students

Aspen Community Charter School

Aspen School District No. 1 in the county of Pitkin and Sta

WOODY CREEK, 81656 / Rural: Distant

RecordPK–8Charter137 students

Aspen Preschool

Aspen School District No. 1 in the county of Pitkin and Sta

ASPEN, 81611 / Town: Remote

RecordPKOther23 students

Education Funding Detail

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$11,236

State avg $7,447

Compare Nearby Counties

Review Pitkin County against other counties using the same NCES-backed metrics.

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Browse Public Schools

See school-level enrollment, grade ranges, school type, and district affiliation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which Colorado counties have the highest graduation rates?
Pitkin County (97.0%), Rio Blanco County (93.2%), and Routt County (93.2%) currently lead Colorado among counties with available NCES four-year adjusted cohort graduation-rate data. This answer is generated from the same dataset used in the county table and can change when federal data refreshes.
What is per-pupil spending like in Colorado?
Across Colorado counties with available NCES district-finance data, average per-pupil spending is $7,447. The highest current county values are Mineral County ($13,728), San Juan County ($13,639), and Hinsdale County ($13,446). Compare counties in the table before treating the statewide average as representative of a local district.
How should I read the school score in Pitkin County?
Pitkin County has a school score of 95/100, which is a higher measured signal in this county-level index. This score is calculated from available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance data, with school-level records shown separately below.
What is the graduation rate in Pitkin County?
The high school graduation rate in Pitkin County is 97.0%, which is above the national average of 87.5%. This figure is based on NCES district-level data for public high schools in the county.
How much does Pitkin County spend per student?
Pitkin County spends $11,236 per pupil annually on public education, based on NCES district finance data. Current operating spending per fall enrollment, including instruction, support services, administration, transportation, and operations. It excludes capital outlays and debt service in the SchoolsByCounty methodology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in Pitkin County, Colorado — FAQ

What does the school system look like in Pitkin County, Colorado?

Pitkin County operates a streamlined education system consisting of seven total public schools across two districts. This compact network serves 2,439 students with a balanced distribution of two elementary, two middle, and two high schools.

How do schools in Pitkin County perform academically?

The county boasts an exceptional 97.0% graduation rate, significantly outpacing the Colorado average of 83.1% and the national mark of 87.0%. While the $11,236 per-pupil expenditure is below the national average, it remains well above the state average of $7,447.

What are the major school districts in Pitkin County, Colorado?

The Roaring Fork School District No. Re-1 is the region's largest provider, though the Aspen School District specifically serves 1,572 students within its five local schools. One charter school operates here, representing approximately 14.3% of the county's educational options.

What is the school experience like in Pitkin County?

Most students attend one of the five town-based schools, where the average school size is a manageable 348 students. Aspen High School is the largest campus with 529 students, offering a personal but robust academic environment.

Counties with Similar School Profile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Sources

Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data and School District Finance Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance signals.

Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.