Castle Pines’s public schools outscore 92% of Colorado districts
In Castle Pines, 49% of tested students are proficient in math, above the Colorado average (32%). The grade covers the public school district serving Castle Pines, 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 86% 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.
Castle Pines’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 46 Colorado towns with household incomes within a quarter of Castle Pines’s, its schools beat 50%, lower than their 92% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 62% and math 49% in spring 2022, against 45% and 32% statewide; 90% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,658 per student, against $15,889 across Colorado (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Two elementary schools, then nine middle and ten high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
DC Montessori Charter School and American Academy are in town. 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 Castle Pines’s grade
A: better than 92% of Colorado school districts, #13 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 Castle Pines, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Castle Pines · depends on your address
Buffalo Ridge Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 524 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Castle Rock
Timber Trail Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 380 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Castle Rock
Kindergarten in Castle Pines · depends on your address
Buffalo Ridge Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 524 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Castle Rock
Timber Trail Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 380 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Castle Rock
1st grade in Castle Pines · depends on your address
Buffalo Ridge Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 524 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Castle Rock
Timber Trail Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 380 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Castle Rock
2nd grade in Castle Pines · depends on your address
Buffalo Ridge Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 524 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Castle Rock
Timber Trail Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 380 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Castle Rock
3rd grade in Castle Pines · depends on your address
Buffalo Ridge Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 524 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Castle Rock
Timber Trail Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 380 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Castle Rock
4th grade in Castle Pines · depends on your address
Buffalo Ridge Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 524 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Castle Rock
Timber Trail Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 380 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Castle Rock
5th grade in Castle Pines · depends on your address
Buffalo Ridge Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 524 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Castle Rock
Timber Trail Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 380 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Castle Rock
Castle Pines’s public schools are run by Douglas County School District RE-1, which also serves Castle Rock, Larkspur, Lone Tree and Parker. 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
Castle Pines vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Colorado towns that share Castle Pines’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Castle Pines | A | Douglas County School District RE-1 |
| Castle Rock | A | Douglas County School District RE-1 |
Every school in Castle Pines
23 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 Castle Pines’s schools
Are Castle Pines’s schools good?
By Colorado’s own tests, yes: the public schools Castle Pines children attend outscore 92% of Colorado’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #13 of 159 Colorado towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 50%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Castle Pines in?
Douglas County School District RE-1, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 61,243 students in 88 schools (2024–25).
Where do Castle Pines kids go to high school?
One of 10 high schools, depending on your address: Rock Canyon High School, Legend High School, Mountain Vista High School, Chaparral High School, Castle View High School, Thunderridge High School, Douglas County High School, Ponderosa High School, Highlands Ranch High School and Venture Academy of Leadership and Entrepreneurship.
What is Castle Pines’s graduation rate?
90% of the class of 2023 in Douglas County School District RE-1 graduated in four years, against 83% across Colorado.
How much does Castle Pines spend per student?
$14,658 in Douglas County School District RE-1 (FY2024), against $15,889 across Colorado. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Castle Pines families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Castle Pines → 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.