COColorado rankings

Towns with the best public schools in Colorado

Ranked by how far each town's public schools score above or below the Colorado average in math and reading proficiency, weighted by enrollment. 142 towns with 2,500+ residents.

U.S. Census ACS 2020–2024 5-yearTest scores SY2020–21

1 Cherry Hills Village +32.0 pts Math 69.5% · Reading 72% 2 Evergreen +31.9 pts Math 63.6% · Reading 77.8% 3 Greenwood Village +29.7 pts Math 62.9% · Reading 74%

#Townvs. state averageMathReading

Cherry Hills VillageCherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah +32.0 pts 69.5% 72%

2 EvergreenJefferson County School District No. R-1 +31.9 pts 63.6% 77.8%

3 Greenwood VillageCherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah +29.7 pts 62.9% 74%

SuperiorBoulder Valley School District No. Re2 +27.1 pts 60.3% 71.4%

Steamboat SpringsSteamboat Springs School District No. Re 2 +25.5 pts 54.3% 74.2%

6 BoulderBoulder Valley School District No. Re2 +24.5 pts 55.2% 71.2%

7 LouisvilleBoulder Valley School District No. Re2 +24.1 pts 52.8% 72.9%

8 Highlands RanchDouglas County School District No. Re 1 +23.5 pts 52.9% 71.7%

WoodmoorLewis-Palmer Consolidated School District No. 38 in the co +22.9 pts 53.6% 69.6%

10 Cherry CreekCherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah +22.8 pts 55.7% 67.4%

11 Air Force AcademyAcademy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an +22.3 pts 47.2% 75%

12 NiwotSt. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J +21.4 pts 49.1% 71.2%

13 MonumentLewis-Palmer Consolidated School District No. 38 in the co +20.3 pts 51% 67%

14 CentennialCherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah +19.3 pts 49% 67.2%

15 Castle PinesDouglas County School District No. Re 1 +19.0 pts 52.7% 62.9%

16 BroomfieldAdams 12 Five Star Schools +18.4 pts 47.8% 66.4%

17 StonegateDouglas County School District No. Re 1 +18.0 pts 46% 67.5%

18 LittletonLittleton School District No. 6 in the county of Arapahoe +16.9 pts 42.4% 68.9%

GoldenJefferson County School District No. R-1 +16.5 pts 46.1% 64.4%

20 TimnathPoudre School District R-1 +16.2 pts 49.9% 59.9%

21 FairmountJefferson County School District No. R-1 +16.1 pts 48.8% 60.9%

Ken CarylJefferson County School District No. R-1 +15.1 pts 46.8% 60.9%

23 LafayetteBoulder Valley School District No. Re2 +14.7 pts 45.3% 61.5%

24 Fort CollinsPoudre School District R-1 +14.6 pts 44.8% 61.9%

25 Dakota RidgeJefferson County School District No. R-1 +13.6 pts 44% 60.8%

26 WindsorWeld County Reorganized School District No. Re-4 +13.5 pts 43.1% 61.3%

27 GunbarrelBoulder Valley School District No. Re2 +13.3 pts 49.5% 54.5%

28 SalidaSalida School District No. R-32 +13.3 pts 42.6% 61.6%

29 Lone TreeDouglas County School District No. Re 1 +13.0 pts 49.3% 54.2%

30 MeekerMeeker School District Re1 +13.0 pts 47.4% 56.2%

31 ErieSt. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J +12.7 pts 41.1% 61.8%

32 ColumbineJefferson County School District No. R-1 +12.6 pts 42.5% 60.2%

33 ApplewoodJefferson County School District No. R-1 +12.6 pts 43.1% 59.5%

BerthoudThompson School District R-2J +11.7 pts 43.2% 57.7%

35 DaconoWeld re-8 schools +10.8 pts 52% 47%

36 GleneagleAcademy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an +9.5 pts 34.5% 62%

37 ParkerDouglas County School District No. Re 1 +9.3 pts 39.3% 56.8%

38 The PineryDouglas County School District No. Re 1 +9.2 pts 36.2% 59.7%

39 DurangoDurango School District No. 9-R +8.8 pts 34.2% 60.8%

40 Manitou SpringsManitou Springs School District No. 14 in the county of El +8.8 pts 31.9% 63.1%

41 RedlandsMesa County Valley School District No. 51 +7.1 pts 40.5% 51.2%

42 Roxborough ParkDouglas County School District No. Re 1 +5.8 pts 42% 47%

EatonWeld County School District No. Re-2 +5.8 pts 39% 50.2%

44 Black ForestLewis-Palmer Consolidated School District No. 38 in the co +5.4 pts 41.1% 47.1%

45 MeadSt. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J +5.4 pts 30.3% 57.9%

PalisadeMesa County Valley School District No. 51 +5.2 pts 33.2% 54.8%

Woodland ParkWoodland Park School District No. Re-2 +4.7 pts 31.1% 55.9%

48 ArvadaJefferson County School District No. R-1 +4.2 pts 34.5% 51.3%

49 Castle RockDouglas County School District No. Re 1 +3.7 pts 34.8% 50%

Colorado SpringsAcademy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an +3.0 pts 32.2% 51.3%

BreckenridgeSummit School District No. Re 1 +2.5 pts 32.3% 50.2%

FriscoSummit School District No. Re 1 +2.0 pts 34.5% 47%

53 LongmontSt. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J +1.0 pts 31.1% 48.4%

54 FruitaMesa County Valley School District No. 51 +1.0 pts 32.9% 46.7%

SeveranceWeld County Reorganized School District No. Re-4 +0.8 pts 32.5% 46.6%

56 Acres GreenDouglas County School District No. Re 1 +0.8 pts 32% 47%

VailEagle County School District No. Re 50 −0.3 pts 30% 47%

58 StrasburgStrasburg School District 31J −0.9 pts 27.8% 47.8%

59 LakewoodJefferson County School District No. R-1 −1.3 pts 30.4% 44.6%

60 LovelandThompson School District R-2J −1.3 pts 26.7% 48.1%

61 FirestoneSt. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J −1.5 pts 26% 48.5%

62 Estes ParkEstes Park School District R-3 −1.5 pts 25.8% 48.6%

63 Cañon CityFremont Re-1 −1.7 pts 25.8% 48.4%

64 Orchard MesaMesa County Valley School District No. 51 −1.8 pts 37% 37%

Palmer LakeLewis-Palmer Consolidated School District No. 38 in the co −1.8 pts 27% 47%

66 WellingtonPoudre School District R-1 −2.6 pts 29.8% 42.6%

67 Glenwood SpringsRoaring Fork School District No. Re-1 −2.7 pts 30% 42%

AlamosaAlamosa School District No. Re-11J −3.1 pts 30.4% 40.9%

69 EdwardsEagle County School District No. Re 50 −3.3 pts 23% 48%

70 La SalleWeld County Reorganized School District No. Re-1 −3.3 pts 25.9% 45%

71 BasaltRoaring Fork School District No. Re-1 −4.0 pts 30.3% 39.2%

Buena VistaBuena Vista School District No. R-31 −4.0 pts 24.7% 44.8%

West Pleasant ViewJefferson County School District No. R-1 −4.3 pts 22% 47%

74 Lincoln ParkFremont Re-1 −4.3 pts 27% 42%

EagleEagle County School District No. Re 50 −4.7 pts 21.2% 46.9%

76 Wheat RidgeJefferson County School District No. R-1 −5.0 pts 26% 41.5%

77 WestminsterWestminster Public Schools −5.1 pts 25% 42.3%

FountainFountain School District No. 8 in the county of El Paso an −5.3 pts 22.7% 44.2%

79 ThorntonAdams 12 Five Star Schools −5.4 pts 25.3% 41.4%

DeltaDelta County Joint District No. 50 −5.8 pts 26.1% 39.7%

81 Grand JunctionMesa County Valley School District No. 51 −5.9 pts 24.2% 41.4%

82 SterlingSchool District No. Re-1 Valley −5.9 pts 27.4% 38.3%

83 DenverSchool District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C −6.1 pts 25.5% 39.9%

84 CarbondaleRoaring Fork School District No. Re-1 −6.2 pts 23.9% 41.2%

85 Las AnimasLas Animas School District No. Re-1 −6.3 pts 27.6% 37.4%

86 MontroseMontrose County School District Re-1J −6.4 pts 24.8% 40%

JohnstownWeld County School District No. Re-5J −6.6 pts 22.7% 41.7%

88 BayfieldBayfield School District No. 10Jt-R −6.6 pts 22.7% 41.7%

PenroseFremont Re-2 −6.8 pts 27% 37%

90 Cimarron HillsEl Paso County Colorado School District 49 −6.9 pts 21.7% 42%

91 FlorenceFremont Re-2 −7.1 pts 24.4% 38.9%

92 Pueblo WestPueblo County School District 70 −7.2 pts 19.7% 43.3%

93 Fort CarsonFountain School District No. 8 in the county of El Paso an −7.6 pts 22.3% 39.9%

Security-WidefieldSchool District No. 3 in the county of El Paso and State of −8.2 pts 19.2% 41.9%

95 NorthglennAdams 12 Five Star Schools −9.2 pts 22.3% 36.8%

96 GunnisonGunnison Watershed School District Re1J −9.2 pts 20.8% 38.3%

97 Rocky FordRocky Ford School District No. R2 −9.2 pts 23.1% 35.9%

SiltGarfield School District No. Re-2 −9.3 pts 22% 37%

99 Monte VistaMonte Vista School District No. C-8 −9.7 pts 22.6% 35.5%

100 YumaYuma 1 School District −10.0 pts 27.8% 29.8%

101 EnglewoodEnglewood School District No. 1 in the county of Arapahoe −10.3 pts 21.3% 35.7%

102 FrederickSt. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J −10.3 pts 17.1% 39.8%

103

CortezMontezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1 −10.7 pts 19.8% 36.4%

104 GypsumEagle County School District No. Re 50 −10.9 pts 17.9% 37.8%

105 BrightonSchool District 27J −11.1 pts 19.4% 35.9%

106

AuroraAurora Joint District No. 28 of the counties of Adams and A −11.2 pts 19.9% 35.1%

107 New CastleGarfield School District No. Re-2 −11.8 pts 13.3% 40.7%

108 CraigMoffat County School District RE: No. 1 −11.9 pts 19.1% 34.6%

109 BurlingtonBurlington Public School District No. RE-6J −11.9 pts 19.8% 34%

110 FruitvaleMesa County Valley School District No. 51 −12.2 pts 16.6% 36.6%

111 Holly HillsCherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah −12.8 pts 15% 37%

112 BennettBennett School District No. 29J −13.0 pts 17.1% 34.4%

113

LamarLamar School District No. Re-2 −13.2 pts 17.8% 33.3%

114

GreeleyGreeleySchool District No. 6 in the county of Weld and Sta −14.3 pts 16.1% 32.8%

115

PuebloPueblo School District No. 60 in the county of Pueblo and −15.7 pts 12.8% 33.3%

116 Commerce CitySchool District 27J −16.4 pts 14.5% 30.2%

117 RifleGarfield School District No. Re-2 −17.0 pts 12.9% 30.5%

118 EvansGreeleySchool District No. 6 in the county of Weld and Sta −17.4 pts 13.6% 29.1%

119 PlattevilleWeld County Reorganized School District No. Re-1 −17.5 pts 12% 30.4%

120 CliftonMesa County Valley School District No. 51 −19.2 pts 13.7% 25.3%

121 LochbuieWeld County School District RE-3J −19.3 pts 22% 17%

122

Fort MorganSchool District No. Re-3 Fort Morgan −19.4 pts 12% 26.7%

123 LeadvilleLake County School District No. R-1 −19.4 pts 12.4% 26.4%

124 Battlement MesaGrand Valley School District No. 16 in the county of Garfi −20.7 pts 20% 16%

125

La JuntaEast Otero School District No. R1 −20.8 pts 7.5% 28.4%

126 WalsenburgHuerfano School District Re-1 −21.0 pts 14.7% 20.7%

127 TrinidadTrinidad School District 1 in the county of Las Animas and −22.0 pts 7.1% 26.4%

128 MillikenWeld County School District No. Re-5J −23.0 pts 9.6% 22%

129 Fort LuptonWeld re-8 schools −23.8 pts 10.1% 19.8%

130 Federal HeightsState Charter School Institute −24.4 pts 7.8% 21%

131 SheridanSheridan School District No. 2 −25.1 pts 6.2% 21.1%

132

AvonEagle County School District No. Re 50 −25.3 pts 5% 22%

133 SherrelwoodMapleton School District No. 1 in the county of Adams & St −25.7 pts 8.6% 17.6%

134 MeridianDouglas County School District No. Re 1 −26.5 pts 7.5% 17%

135 Shaw HeightsWestminster Public Schools −26.8 pts 5.8% 18.1%

136 Twin LakesMapleton School District No. 1 in the county of Adams & St −27.6 pts 7.6% 14.7%

137

BerkleyWestminster Public Schools −28.0 pts 7.8% 13.7%

138 WelbyAdams 12 Five Star Schools −30.2 pts 6.9% 10.2%

139

SilverthorneSummit School District No. Re 1 −30.3 pts 5% 12%

140 EdgewaterJefferson County School District No. R-1 −30.4 pts 3.1% 13.6%

141

DerbySchool District N. 14 in the county of Adams & State of Colo −31.3 pts 1.2% 13.7%

142 BrushSchool District No. Re-2 Brush −41.8 pts -3% -3%

How this ranking works

For every public school in a town we take its latest math and reading proficiency and subtract the Colorado average for the same test. The town’s score is the average of those gaps, weighted by each school’s enrollment, so a big high school counts more than a small annex. Private schools aren’t included.

Each state writes its own tests, so these scores compare towns within Colorado only. We don’t rank a town unless at least 150 students in its schools were tested. Test data: EDFacts via Urban Institute Education Data Portal (SY2020-21).

Only towns with at least 2,500 residents are ranked; Census estimates for smaller places are too uncertain. Population and income: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Town photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each town’s page.

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