Colorado is the #20 largest school system in the United States, serving 864,096 students across the 1,894 public schools for the 2026-27 school year (there are 499 private schools, serving 71,310 students). 92% of all K-12 students in Colorado attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Colorado is 33%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 45%.
The top-ranked public schools in Colorado are Polaris Elementary School, The Vanguard School (High), and Dennison Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 51%, with the majority being Hispanic and the student-teacher ratio is 16:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in Colorado (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Polaris Elementary School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 92% (Top 1%)
Reading: 95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 1-5
410 Park Avenue West
Denver, CO 80205
(720) 424-7860
Denver, CO 80205
(720) 424-7860
Rank: #22.
The Vanguard School (High)
Charter School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1832 South Wahsatch
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 471-1999
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 471-1999
Rank: #33.
Dennison Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 88% (Top 1%)
Reading: 92% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-6
401 Independence Street
Denver, CO 80226
(303) 982-6382
Denver, CO 80226
(303) 982-6382
Rank: #44.
Summit Middle Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 88% (Top 1%)
Reading: 91% (Top 1%)
Grades: 6-8
4655 Hanover Avenue
Boulder, CO 80305
(720) 561-3900
Boulder, CO 80305
(720) 561-3900
Rank: #55.
Aurora Quest K-8
(Math: 86% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 86% (Top 1%)
Reading: 88% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-8
472 South Wheeling St
Aurora, CO 80011
(303) 343-3664
Aurora, CO 80011
(303) 343-3664
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Challenge School
Magnet School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85% (Top 1%)
Reading: 88% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-8
9659 East Mississippi Avenue
Denver, CO 80231
(720) 747-2100
Denver, CO 80231
(720) 747-2100
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Parker Core Knowledge
Charter School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 83% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-8
11661 North Pine Drive
Parker, CO 80138
(303) 840-7070
Parker, CO 80138
(303) 840-7070
Rank: #88.
High Peaks Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
3995 East Aurora Avenue
Boulder, CO 80303
(720) 561-6500
Boulder, CO 80303
(720) 561-6500
Rank: #99.
Slavens K-8 School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 84% (Top 1%)
Reading: 86% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-8
3000 South Clayton Street
Denver, CO 80210
(720) 424-4150
Denver, CO 80210
(720) 424-4150
Rank: #1010.
Zach Elementary School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 86% (Top 1%)
Reading: 84% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-5
3715 Kechter Road
Fort Collins, CO 80528
(970) 488-5100
Fort Collins, CO 80528
(970) 488-5100
Overview
This State (CO)
US
# Schools
1,894 Schools
100,274 Schools
# Students
864,096 Students
49,273,234 Students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Gender %
# Teachers
52,573 Teachers
3,176,846 Teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (CO)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
33%
41%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
46%
47%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
31%
43%
Graduation Rate
82.7%
87%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Free Lunch
39%
50%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.63
0.71
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# American Indian Students
5,015 Students
465,607 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
1%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Asian Students
29,211 Students
2,805,284 Students
% Asian Students
3%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Hispanic Students
318,566 Students
14,933,108 Students
% Hispanic Students
37%
30%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Black Students
40,245 Students
7,261,526 Students
% Black Students
5%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# White Students
420,699 Students
20,989,144 Students
% White Students
49%
43%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Hawaiian Students
3,007 Students
196,826 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
46,925 Students
2,585,770 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (CO)
Statewide Total Revenue
$15,748 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Statewide Total Spending
$16,147 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$18,225
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$18,686
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Colorado Public Schools by County (2026-27)
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Colorado?
The top-ranked public schools in Colorado include Polaris Elementary School, The Vanguard School (High), and Dennison Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Colorado?
1,894 public schools are located in Colorado.
What percentage of students in Colorado go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in Colorado attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Colorado?
Minority enrollment in Colorado is 51%, with the majority being Hispanic.
Which public schools in Colorado are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Colorado include: Stars Early Learning Center vs. Victory Preparatory Academy High State Charter School, Leo William Butler Elementary School vs. Twombly Elementary School, Severance High School vs. Windsor High School
Recent Articles
When a Public School Cancels a Course Your Child Needs
Learn what parents can do when public schools cancel essential courses, including protecting graduation credits, finding approved alternatives, requesting substitutions, and preventing disruptions to college or career plans before deadlines.
Verify School Assignment Before Buying a House
Before buying a house, learn how to verify your child's assigned public school, check conflicting property listings, confirm enrollment eligibility, and avoid costly school assignment surprises before closing on a property.
School Bus Commute Times: What Parents Should Know
Discover how long school bus commutes really take, why routes vary, and what parents should ask about pickup times, student fatigue, transportation reliability, and daily schedules before choosing schools.
