Satank Bridge · Photo: Jeffrey Beall · CC BY 3.0Carbondale’s public schools outscore 50% of Colorado districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Carbondale, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Reading proficiency in Carbondale’s districts is 36%, below the Colorado average (45%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Colorado, not nationally.
From Colorado state tests taken in spring 2022, when 95% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Carbondale’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 139 Colorado towns with household incomes within a quarter of Carbondale’s, its schools beat 22%, lower than their 50% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 36% of tested students were proficient in reading and 26% in math, against 45% and 32% statewide; 95% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
83% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83% across Colorado. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $18,260 per student, against $15,889 across Colorado (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and one high school
From grade 5 the district’s path is Carbondale Middle School, then Roaring Fork High School. Enrollment is up 10% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Ross Montessori School and Carbondale Community Charter School are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Carbondale’s grade
B−: better than 50% of Colorado school districts, #115 of 159 Colorado towns. Graduation is above the Colorado average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Carbondale, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Carbondale
Crystal River Elementary School
Grades PK–4 · 445 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Carbondale
Crystal River Elementary School
Grades PK–4 · 445 students · 12:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Carbondale
Crystal River Elementary School
Grades PK–4 · 445 students · 12:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Carbondale
Crystal River Elementary School
Grades PK–4 · 445 students · 12:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Carbondale
Crystal River Elementary School
Grades PK–4 · 445 students · 12:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Carbondale
Crystal River Elementary School
Grades PK–4 · 445 students · 12:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Carbondale
Carbondale Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 362 students · 15:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Carbondale
Carbondale Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 362 students · 15:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Carbondale
Carbondale Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 362 students · 15:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Carbondale
Carbondale Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 362 students · 15:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Carbondale
Roaring Fork High School
Grades 9–12 · 472 students · 17:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Carbondale
Roaring Fork High School
Grades 9–12 · 472 students · 17:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Carbondale
Roaring Fork High School
Grades 9–12 · 472 students · 17:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Carbondale
Roaring Fork High School
Grades 9–12 · 472 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Carbondale’s public schools are run by Roaring Fork School District RE-1, which also serves Basalt, Glenwood Springs and Snowmass Village. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Carbondale vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Colorado towns that share Carbondale’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Carbondale | B− | Roaring Fork School District RE-1 |
Every school in Carbondale
6 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Colorado’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Carbondale’s schools
Are Carbondale’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Colorado: the public schools Carbondale children attend outscore 50% of Colorado’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #115 of 159 Colorado towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 22%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Carbondale in?
Roaring Fork School District RE-1, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 5,839 students in 14 schools (2024–25).
Where do Carbondale kids go to high school?
Roaring Fork High School, with 472 students; its own test results earn a B+.
What is Carbondale’s graduation rate?
83% of the class of 2023 in Roaring Fork School District RE-1 graduated in four years, against 83% across Colorado.
How much does Carbondale spend per student?
$18,260 in Roaring Fork School District RE-1 (FY2024), against $15,889 across Colorado. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Carbondale families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Carbondale → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Colorado. Stars are from neighbors.