Colorado is the #20 largest school system in the United States, serving 865,055 students across the 1,898 public schools for the 2026 school year (there are 514 private schools, serving 72,390 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)
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
1,898 Schools
100,525 Schools
# Students
865,055 Students
49,339,277 Students
Gender %
# Teachers
52,637 Teachers
3,180,552 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
15:1
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (CO)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
33%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
46%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
31%
43%
Graduation Rate
82%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
39%
50%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.63
0.71
# American Indian Students
5,017 Students
466,525 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
1%
# Asian Students
29,233 Students
2,807,520 Students
% Asian Students
3%
6%
# Hispanic Students
318,936 Students
14,955,622 Students
% Hispanic Students
37%
30%
# Black Students
40,302 Students
7,274,090 Students
% Black Students
5%
15%
# White Students
421,087 Students
21,014,271 Students
% White Students
49%
43%
# Hawaiian Students
3,010 Students
196,971 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
47,041 Students
2,588,398 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (CO)
Total Revenue (24-25)
$13,426 MM
Spending (24-25)
$13,702 MM
Revenue / Student (24-25)
$15,520
Spending / Student (24-25)
$15,839
Best Colorado Public Schools by County (2026)
Popular neighborhoods: Northeast (40 schools), West (25 schools), Southeast Colorado Springs (20 schools), East (19 schools), Briargate (18 schools).
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?
1,898 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: West Grand High School vs. Middle Park High School, Widefield High School vs. Mesa Ridge High School, Centauri High School vs. Alamosa High School
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