By Daniel Kovacs | Summit County Real Estate
Families considering a move to Summit County often have questions about educational options. The good news: Summit County offers excellent schools with small class sizes, dedicated teachers, and unique mountain-focused programs that you will not find in suburban school districts along the Front Range. If you are weighing the full picture of living costs in Summit County, education quality is one of the strongest arguments in favor of the move.
Summit School District RE-1 Overview
The Summit School District RE-1 is the sole public school district serving all of Summit County. It enrolls approximately 3,500 students across six schools and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio well below the state average. Key facts about the district:
- Graduation rate: Approximately 90%, consistently above the Colorado state average of 82%
- Class sizes: Average 18 to 22 students per classroom, compared to 25 to 30 in many Front Range districts
- Teacher retention: Higher than state average, with many educators choosing to stay for the mountain lifestyle
- Per-pupil spending: Above state average due to local funding and smaller school sizes
- Outdoor education integration: Field trips to national forest land, ski days, and environmental science built into the curriculum at every level
The district operates on a traditional school calendar (August through May) with a spring break that typically aligns with one of the slower ski weeks, allowing families to hit the slopes without peak-season crowds.
Elementary Schools
Breckenridge Elementary
Serving grades K-5, Breckenridge Elementary sits in the heart of town and draws students from Breckenridge and Blue River. The school enrolls around 350 students and maintains a strong PTA that organizes fundraising events, reading programs, and seasonal activities. The school has received consistently positive ratings from the Colorado Department of Education.
Dillon Valley Elementary
Located in Dillon, this school serves families in Dillon, Silverthorne, and the surrounding unincorporated areas including Wildernest and Summit Cove. Enrollment is roughly 400 students. The school offers a bilingual program to serve the county's growing Spanish-speaking population.
Frisco Elementary
A well-regarded school with approximately 300 students, strong parent involvement, and outdoor learning opportunities. Its location in Frisco places it near the Frisco Peninsula, which teachers regularly use as an outdoor classroom for science and nature studies.
Summit Cove Elementary
This smaller school near Keystone enrolls about 250 students and has earned some of the highest ratings in the district. Parents often cite the tight-knit community feel, individualized attention, and strong reading scores. Summit Cove consistently performs well on Colorado's standardized assessments, making it a draw for families looking at properties in the Keystone and Summit Cove area.
Middle and High Schools
Summit Middle School
Grades 6 through 8, located in Frisco. The school serves the entire county, enrolling approximately 600 students. Programs include:
- STEM electives with hands-on lab work and technology projects
- Competitive athletics: soccer, basketball, volleyball, cross-country, and wrestling
- Performing arts: band, choir, and drama productions
- Advisory period: small-group mentoring sessions that help students transition to secondary education
Summit High School
The county's single high school (grades 9 through 12) enrolls approximately 850 students and is located in Breckenridge. Summit High has built a reputation for strong academics alongside elite winter sports programs.
- Academics: 15+ Advanced Placement courses offered. AP participation rate around 40%, with average scores above state and national medians.
- College prep: Roughly 70% of graduates attend four-year colleges or universities. The school has dedicated college counselors.
- Ski and snowboard team: One of the top-ranked high school ski teams in Colorado. Students train at Breckenridge and Keystone during the season.
- Athlete-friendly scheduling: Block scheduling and independent study options accommodate students who compete at regional and national levels.
- Dual enrollment: Juniors and seniors can take Colorado Mountain College courses for both high school and college credit at no additional cost.
Before and After School Programs
Working parents have several options for extended care. The district partners with local organizations to provide before-school programs starting at 7:00 AM and after-school programs running until 6:00 PM. The Summit County Library system also offers free homework help and supervised activities at branches in Frisco, Silverthorne, and Breckenridge. Fees for structured after-school programs typically range from $200 to $400 per month, with financial assistance available through the Summit Foundation.
Bus Routes and Transportation
The district operates a bus system that covers the entire county, including remote neighborhoods and mountain subdivisions. Most students ride 20 to 40 minutes each way due to the geography. Bus routes serve all major residential areas from Breckenridge south to Keystone and Copper Mountain in the west. The district publishes route maps each August, and new families can request stop adjustments through the transportation office. For a neighborhood-level look at which areas work best for families, see our Breckenridge neighborhoods guide.
Unique Programs
- Ski PE: Students at Summit Middle School and Summit High School can earn PE credit through skiing and snowboarding at Breckenridge or Keystone. A season pass is required.
- Outdoor Education: Regular field trips, wilderness camping, and environmental learning. The district partners with organizations like the Keystone Science School for multi-day programs.
- Summit Innovation Lab: Project-based learning space with 3D printers, robotics equipment, and design software
- World languages: Spanish instruction begins in elementary school, with French available at the high school level
Alternative and Private Options
- Keystone Science School: Residential and day programs focused on environmental education and outdoor leadership. Not a full-time school, but supplements traditional education with semester and summer programs.
- Homeschool co-ops: An active homeschool community with organized group activities, field trips, and shared instruction. Approximately 150 to 200 families in the county homeschool.
- Online and charter options: Colorado's open enrollment policy allows students to attend charter schools in other districts. Several families use online schools (Colorado Connections Academy, HOPE Online) supplemented with local activities.
Preschool and Early Childhood
Childcare and preschool spots are among the most competitive resources in Summit County. Waitlists of 6 to 12 months are common at popular centers. Monthly tuition ranges from $1,200 to $2,000 for full-time care. The county has invested in expanding early childhood capacity through the Summit County Preschool Program, which offers tuition assistance for qualifying families. Register as early as possible, ideally before your child turns 2.
Higher Education
Colorado Mountain College has a campus in Breckenridge offering associate degrees, certificates, and transfer programs. Popular programs include outdoor recreation leadership, sustainability studies, and business administration. CMC's tuition for in-district residents is among the lowest in Colorado at approximately $80 per credit hour. The campus also hosts continuing education, GED preparation, and English language learning classes for adults in the community. (Source: Real Estate - Wikipedia).