Roaring Fork School District No. Re-1, CO

Original Research by School Decision on Roaring Fork School District No. Re-1

The Roaring Fork School District No. Re-1 serves students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade across a cluster of Colorado mountain communities including Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, and Basalt. With enrollment that is sizeable for a district of this geography, the student body is majority Hispanic and includes a substantial white population as well as smaller shares of students who are Asian, Black, American Indian, or multiracial. Data on the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals, as well as counts of students with disabilities and English learners, was not available in the records reviewed, so a full picture of economic and special-education need is not possible here. A parent may want to ask the district directly about these supports.

Academically, the district’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places it in the upper range among Garfield County’s districts, a notable position given that the comparison includes six districts. State assessment results reveal that in math, roughly one quarter of students in grades three through eight scored at the proficient level, while in English language arts the figure was closer to one third. Science proficiency rates for fifth and eighth graders fell within a similar range. These are modest results in absolute terms, and a family considering the district may wish to ask how the district’s new strategic plan—launched in the 2024-25 school year—aims to improve them. The plan, developed with an external partner, establishes five priorities including rigorous learning for all and operational excellence, and it is accompanied by a data dashboard to track progress.

Chronic absenteeism is an area of concern. The district’s rate is above the midpoint of its county peers, meaning a larger share of students than at many neighboring districts are missing school frequently. This is a soft spot that warrants follow-up, particularly for families who value consistent attendance as a foundation for learning. Per-pupil current spending falls in the middle range but the upper half among Garfield County districts, indicating a funding level that is not out of step with the area.

The communities the district draws from are expensive places to live. Home values in the zip codes served are among the highest in the state, and rents reflect that pressure. The area’s median household income, while above the national figure, is still stretched by the high cost of housing, and the ratio of home price to income is steep. A family moving into the district should anticipate that finding affordable housing will be a significant factor in their decision.

On the program side, the district stands out for its dual language offerings. Two schools, Riverview and Basalt Elementary, are designated dual language schools, and dual language classes are available at Basalt Middle School, with biliteracy programming at Glenwood Springs Elementary. This is a sustained investment that provides a clear bilingual pathway for families who want that for their children. The strategic plan’s emphasis on student-centered partnerships and thriving team culture suggests the district is thinking explicitly about the working conditions of staff and family engagement, though details on specific course access at the high school level—such as Advanced Placement, career and technical education, or concurrent enrollment—were not included in the data provided.

The district operates fourteen schools, ranging from elementary through high school, plus a charter school and an alternative program called Bridges. No graduation rate was available for this district, so readers evaluating high school outcomes cannot rely on that metric here.

In sum, Roaring Fork School District No. Re-1 is a district with a diverse student body situated in a very high-cost housing market. Its academic proficiency, while leading within its county, sits at modest levels, and chronic absenteeism is a notable weakness. The district is actively working on a new strategic plan and offers meaningful dual language programming. Families should look into the specific schools that align with their priorities, especially around attendance patterns and the range of high school course pathways.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

5,841

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 57%

Black 0%

White 40%

Asian 0%

Two+ 2%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 3

20%

46%

Gr 4

20%

51%

Gr 5

18%

50%

Gr 6

21%

44%

Gr 7

26%

55%

Gr 8

20%

48%

Gr 38

21%

49%

Math

Gr 3

18%

42%

Gr 4

20%

45%

Gr 5

10%

38%

Gr 6

15%

33%

Gr 7

32%

Gr 8

15%

38%

Gr 38

14%

38%

Science

Gr 5

16%

49%

Gr 8

14%

35%

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Gr 38

15%

27%

Schools in this District

14 schools are officially reported under this district.

Basalt Middle School

Basalt Elementary School

Basalt High School

Carbondale Middle School

Glenwood Springs Middle School

Glenwood Springs High School

Glenwood Springs Elementary School

Roaring Fork High School

Carbondale Community Charter School

Crystal River Elementary School

Bridges

Sopris Elementary School

Two Rivers Community School

Riverview School

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

1 grade reported

28%

Grades 3-8

English Language Arts

1 grade reported

37%

Grades 3-8

Science

2 grades reported

33%

Grade 5

26%

Grade 8

Social Studies

2 grades reported

15%

Grade 4

14%

Grade 7

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$1.31M

Year-over-year change+5.6%

Range across 10 ZIP codes$651K to $3.4M

vs. state typical2.42x

vs. national typical3.56x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (10 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
81623	Carbondale	$1.4M	+5.6%	29.1%
81601	Glenwood Springs	$870K	+4.3%	26.3%
81621	Basalt	$1.4M	+5.9%	21.7%
81654		$2.8M	+7.6%	9.2%
81642	Meredith	$765K	+7.3%	8.8%
81637	Gypsum	$696K	+0.8%	2.9%
81647	New Castle	$651K	+4.9%	0.9%
81615	Snowmass Village	$2.3M	+13.6%	0.8%
81611	Aspen	$3.4M	+6.5%	0.3%
81631	Eagle	$1.0M	-1.1%	0.0%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$3,979/mo

Year-over-year change-0.2%

Range across 7 ZIP codes$2,542 to $18,041/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (7 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
81623	Carbondale	$4,608	—	29.1%
81601	Glenwood Springs	$2,542	-0.5%	26.3%
81621	Basalt	$4,617	—	21.7%
81647	New Castle	$2,870	—	0.9%
81615	Snowmass Village	$7,750	—	0.8%
81611	Aspen	$18,041	+34.5%	0.3%
81631	Eagle	$3,100	+50.4%	0.0%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$6,621/mo

Home price / national median income15.7x

Annual rent / national median income57.0%

Est. mortgage exceeds rent by$2,643/mo

Comparison

State typical home value$543,271 (-2.4% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.