Photo: Lee Coursey · CC BY 2.0Boulder’s public schools outscore 93% of Colorado districts
In Boulder, 50% of tested students are proficient in math, above the Colorado average (32%). The grade covers the public school district serving Boulder, 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 89% 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.
Boulder’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 63% and math 50% in spring 2022, against 45% and 32% statewide; 91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $17,771 per student, against $15,889 across Colorado (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
13 elementary schools, then four middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Summit Middle Charter School, Boulder Prep Charter High School, Horizons K-8 School, Boulder Country Day School (private), Shining MTN Waldorf High School (private), Sacred Heart of Jesus School (private), Shining Mountain Waldorf School (private), Jarrow Montessori School (private), Friends School (private), Bixby School (private), Watershed School (private), Boulder Montessori School (private), Jay & Rose Phillips Early Childhood Center (private), Mapleton Montessori School (private) and Tara Performing Arts High School (private) are in town. Williamsburg Academy of Colorado and Boulder Universal, online schools, are based here too; they aren’t counted as local schools. Every school ↓
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 Boulder’s grade
A: better than 93% of Colorado school districts, #6 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 Boulder, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Boulder · depends on your address
Boulder High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,939 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Fairview High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,863 students · 23:1 students per teacher
New Vista High School
Grades 9–12 · 327 students · 18:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Boulder · depends on your address
Boulder High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,939 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Fairview High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,863 students · 23:1 students per teacher
New Vista High School
Grades 9–12 · 327 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Boulder’s public schools are run by Boulder Valley School District RE-2, which also serves Broomfield, Jamestown, Lafayette and Louisville and others. Parts of Boulder (2% of its land) are served by St. Vrain Valley School District RE 1J instead. 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
Boulder vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Colorado towns that share Boulder’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder | A | Boulder Valley School District RE-2 |
Every school in Boulder
39 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 Boulder’s schools
Are Boulder’s schools good?
By Colorado’s own tests, yes: the public schools Boulder children attend outscore 93% of Colorado’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #6 of 159 Colorado towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 93%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Boulder in?
Boulder Valley School District RE-2, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 27,988 students in 56 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Boulder are served by St. Vrain Valley School District RE 1J.
Where do Boulder kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Boulder High School, Fairview High School and New Vista High School.
What is Boulder’s graduation rate?
91% of the class of 2023 in Boulder Valley School District RE-2 graduated in four years, against 83% across Colorado.
How much does Boulder spend per student?
$17,771 in Boulder Valley School District RE-2 (FY2024), against $15,889 across Colorado. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Boulder?
Yes: Boulder Country Day School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 361 students), Shining MTN Waldorf High School (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 208 students), Sacred Heart of Jesus School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 190 students), Shining Mountain Waldorf School (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 183 students), Jarrow Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 171 students), Friends School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 162 students), Bixby School (nonsectarian, grades PK–5, 126 students), Watershed School (nonsectarian, grades 6–12, 114 students), Boulder Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 71 students), Jay & Rose Phillips Early Childhood Center (religious, grades PK–K, 50 students), Mapleton Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades , 48 students) and Tara Performing Arts High School (nonsectarian, grades 9–12, 39 students). Boulder also has 3 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Boulder families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Boulder → 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.