Mill City House · Photo: Jeffrey Beall from Colorado, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0Applewood’s public schools outscore 78% of Colorado districts
In Applewood, 38% of tested students are proficient in math, above the Colorado average (32%). The grade covers the public school district serving Applewood, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Colorado, not nationally.
From Colorado state tests taken in spring 2022, when 91% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Applewood’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 108 Colorado towns with household incomes within a quarter of Applewood’s, its schools beat 40%, lower than their 78% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 52% and math 38% in spring 2022, against 45% and 32% statewide; 84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,276 per student, against $15,889 across Colorado (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Two elementary schools, then one middle and 19 high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Applewood’s grade
A−: better than 78% of Colorado school districts, #55 of 159 Colorado towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Colorado average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Applewood, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Applewood · depends on your address
Maple Grove Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 390 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Golden
Welchester Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 293 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Golden
Kindergarten in Applewood · depends on your address
Maple Grove Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 390 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Golden
Welchester Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 293 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Golden
1st grade in Applewood · depends on your address
Maple Grove Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 390 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Golden
Welchester Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 293 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Golden
2nd grade in Applewood · depends on your address
Maple Grove Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 390 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Golden
Welchester Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 293 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Golden
3rd grade in Applewood · depends on your address
Maple Grove Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 390 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Golden
Welchester Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 293 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Golden
4th grade in Applewood · depends on your address
Maple Grove Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 390 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Golden
Welchester Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 293 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Golden
5th grade in Applewood · depends on your address
Maple Grove Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 390 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Golden
Welchester Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 293 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Golden
6th grade in Applewood
Manning Options School
Grades 6–8 · 685 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Lakewood
7th grade in Applewood
Manning Options School
Grades 6–8 · 685 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Lakewood
8th grade in Applewood
Manning Options School
Grades 6–8 · 685 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Lakewood
Applewood’s public schools are run by Jefferson County School District R-1, which also serves Arvada, Bow Mar, Edgewater and Golden and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Applewood vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Colorado towns that share Applewood’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Applewood | A− | Jefferson County School District R-1 |
| Lakewood | A− | Jefferson County School District R-1 |
| Wheat Ridge | A− | Jefferson County School District R-1 |
All 2 neighbors share Jefferson County School District R-1 with Applewood, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Applewood
22 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Colorado’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Applewood’s schools
Are Applewood’s schools good?
By Colorado’s own tests, yes: the public schools Applewood children attend outscore 78% of Colorado’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #55 of 159 Colorado towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 40%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Applewood in?
Jefferson County School District R-1, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 73,532 students in 144 schools (2024–25).
Where do Applewood kids go to high school?
One of 19 high schools, depending on your address: Arvada West High School, Ralston Valley Senior High School, Chatfield High School, Lakewood High School, Columbine High School, Golden High School, Bear Creek High School, Dakota Ridge Senior High School, Pomona Junior/Senior High School, D'Evelyn Junior/Senior High School, Standley Lake High School, Green Mountain High School, Alameda International Junior/Senior High School, Wheat Ridge High School, Evergreen High School, Conifer Senior High School, Arvada High School, Jefferson Junior/Senior High School and Jefferson County Open Secondary.
What is Applewood’s graduation rate?
84% of the class of 2023 in Jefferson County School District R-1 graduated in four years, against 83% across Colorado.
How much does Applewood spend per student?
$15,276 in Jefferson County School District R-1 (FY2024), against $15,889 across Colorado. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Applewood families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Applewood → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Colorado. Stars are from neighbors.