Photo: Jguy10218 · CC BY-SA 4.0Highlands Ranch’s public schools outscore 92% of Colorado districts
Math proficiency in Highlands Ranch’s districts is 49%, above the Colorado average (32%). The grade covers the public school district serving Highlands Ranch, 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.
Highlands Ranch’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 75 Colorado towns with household incomes within a quarter of Highlands Ranch’s, its schools beat 63%, 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 ↓
16 elementary schools, then four middle and four high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Platte River Charter Academy, Skyview Academy, Ben Franklin Academy, STEM School Highlands Ranch, Valor Christian High School (private), Cherry Hills Christian (private), Mile High Academy (private) and Espree Child Learning Center (private) 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 Highlands Ranch’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 Highlands Ranch, with each school’s own grade.
Highlands Ranch’s public schools are run by Douglas County School District RE-1, which also serves Castle Pines, Castle Rock, Larkspur and Lone Tree 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
Highlands Ranch vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Colorado towns that share Highlands Ranch’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Highlands Ranch | A | Douglas County School District RE-1 |
| Littleton | A+ | Littleton School District 6 |
| Lone Tree | A | Douglas County School District RE-1 |
| Centennial | A | Cherry Creek School District 5 PK–12 · Littleton School District 6 PK–12 |
Every school in Highlands Ranch
32 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 Highlands Ranch’s schools
Are Highlands Ranch’s schools good?
By Colorado’s own tests, yes: the public schools Highlands Ranch 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 63%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Highlands Ranch in?
Douglas County School District RE-1, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 61,243 students in 88 schools (2024–25).
Where do Highlands Ranch kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: Rock Canyon High School, Mountain Vista High School, Thunderridge High School and Highlands Ranch High School.
What is Highlands Ranch’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 Highlands Ranch 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.
Are there private schools in Highlands Ranch?
Yes: Valor Christian High School (religious, grades 9–12, 1,173 students), Cherry Hills Christian (religious, grades PK–8, 817 students), Mile High Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 252 students) and Espree Child Learning Center (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 110 students). Highlands Ranch also has 4 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Highlands Ranch families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Highlands Ranch → 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.