Photo: Jeffrey Beall · CC BY 3.0Parker’s public schools outscore 92% of Colorado districts
Math proficiency in Parker’s districts is 49%, above the Colorado average (32%). The grade covers the public school district serving Parker, 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.
Parker’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 104 Colorado towns with household incomes within a quarter of Parker’s, its schools beat 75%, 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 ↓
Eight elementary schools, then two middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Challenge to Excellence Charter School, Global Village Academy - Douglas County, Parker Performing Arts, Leman Classical Academy, Southeast Christian School (private), Little Blessings Preschool (private) and Primrose School of Parker (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 Parker’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 Parker, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Parker · depends on your address
Cimarron Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,052 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Sierra Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 805 students · 16:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Parker · depends on your address
Cimarron Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,052 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Sierra Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 805 students · 16:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Parker
Legend High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,206 students · 23:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Parker
Legend High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,206 students · 23:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Parker
Legend High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,206 students · 23:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Parker
Legend High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,206 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Parker’s public schools are run by Douglas County School District RE-1, which also serves Castle Pines, Castle Rock, Larkspur and Lone Tree. 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
Parker vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Colorado towns that share Parker’s borders.
Every school in Parker
18 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 Parker’s schools
Are Parker’s schools good?
By Colorado’s own tests, yes: the public schools Parker 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 75%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Parker in?
Douglas County School District RE-1, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 61,243 students in 88 schools (2024–25).
Where do Parker kids go to high school?
Legend High School, with 2,206 students; its own test results earn an A.
What is Parker’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 Parker 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 Parker?
Yes: Southeast Christian School (religious, grades PK–8, 587 students), Little Blessings Preschool (religious, grades PK–K, 220 students) and Primrose School of Parker (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 170 students). Parker also has 4 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Parker families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Parker → 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.