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GoldenCO WashingtonStreet 01Oct2017Photo: Yassie · CC BY-SA 4.0
A−
Schools in Golden · Jefferson County School District R-1

Golden’s public schools outscore 78% of Colorado districts

38% of students in Golden’s public schools are proficient in math, above the Colorado average (32%). The grade covers the public school district serving Golden, 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.

#55of 159 Colorado townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
52%
▲ 7 pts vs CO 45%
2021–22
Math proficiency
38%
▲ 6 pts vs CO 32%
2021–22
Graduate on time
84%
▲ 1 pts vs CO 83%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$15.3K
▼ 4% vs CO $15.9K
FY2024
Students per teacher
16.9
CO 16.3 · larger classes
Schools in town
5
3,115 students on the public path
In brief

Golden’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 151 Colorado towns with household incomes within a quarter of Golden’s, its schools beat 66%, 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 one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Bell Middle School, then Golden High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Golden View Classical Academy is 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Golden’s grade

A Test scoresC+ Graduation

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.

Colorado school districts we grade (169)Better than 78%
Lower resultsHigher results
Colorado towns with similar household incomes (151)Better than 66%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 35,226 test results and a graduating class of 6,154 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 91% of Golden’s students in the tested grades sat them (35,276 in math, 35,177 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Golden, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–52 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressA− to A
6–8Bell Middle SchoolJefferson County School District R-1B
9–12Golden High SchoolJefferson County School District R-1A

Golden’s public schools are run by Jefferson County School District R-1, which also serves Arvada, Bow Mar, Edgewater and Lakeside 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.

Jefferson County School District R-1Grades PK–12 · 144 schools · 73,532 students · 16.9 per teacher (CO 16.3)
$15,276CO $15,889 · FY2024
A−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading52%
State average 44.9% · 35177 students tested
Math38%
State average 31.8% · 35276 students tested

Golden vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Colorado towns that share Golden’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
GoldenA−Jefferson County School District R-1
LakewoodA−Jefferson County School District R-1

Every school in Golden

5 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).

District schools in Goldenby address
Shelton Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A−
394 students14:1Rate it →
Mitchell Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–5
A
478 students20:1Rate it →
Bell Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
B
774 students19:1Rate it →
Golden High School
High · Grades 9–12
A
1,469 students21:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
Golden View Classical Academy
Grades K–12
A−
Charter
737 students17:1Rate it →

Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Lookout Mountain and Connections Learning Center on the Earle Johnson Campus).

Questions about Golden’s schools

Are Golden’s schools good?

By Colorado’s own tests, yes: the public schools Golden 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 66%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Golden in?

Jefferson County School District R-1, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 73,532 students in 144 schools (2024–25).

Where do Golden kids go to high school?

Golden High School, with 1,469 students; its own test results earn an A.

What is Golden’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 Golden 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 Golden families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Golden → 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.