Best Elementary Schools
in Colorado Springs, Colorado
We ranked all 111 elementary schools in Colorado Springs. The top 25 scored between 7.8 and 9.1 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Colorado education data
Colorado Springs ranks 105 elementary schools, giving families one of the broader school landscapes in Colorado to navigate. Queen Palmer Elementary School leads the field with a 9.1/10 composite score, followed closely by Colorado International Language Academy and Freedom Elementary, both at 8.8/10. Talbott STEAM Innovation School and Woodmen-Roberts Elementary round out the top five. The metro's average composite score sits at 6.4/10, but the distribution tells a more nuanced story — 47 schools, nearly half the ranked pool, score 7 or above. That means meaningful options exist across multiple neighborhoods and school types, not just at the very top. The table below lets you sort by score, school type, and other key metrics so you can quickly identify which schools align with your priorities. Start with the top performers or filter by your zip code to narrow the list.
Queen Palmer Elementary School
Colorado International Language Academy
Freedom Elementary School
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Colorado Springs's Elementary Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%) measures standardized test performance in math and reading. Student Growth (20%) tracks improvement over time. Equity (15%) evaluates how well a school serves all student groups. Environment (15%) considers class size, spending, and attendance. All scores are computed within Colorado so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 25 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Queen Palmer Elementary School Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 9.1 |
| 2 | Colorado International Language Academy Charter State Charter School Institute | 8.8 |
| 3 | Freedom Elementary School Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 8.8 |
| 4 | Talbott STEAM Innovation School School District No. 3 in the county of El Paso and State of | 8.7 |
| 5 | Woodmen-Roberts Elementary School Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 8.6 |
| 6 | Midland Elementary School Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 8.6 |
| 7 | Foothills Elementary School Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 8.5 |
| 8 | Encompass Heights Elementary School Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 8.5 |
| 9 | Buena Vista Elementary School Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 8.5 |
| 10 | Ray E Kilmer Elementary School Lewis-Palmer Consolidated School District No. 38 in the co | 8.5 |
| 11 | Pioneer Elementary School Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 8.4 |
| 12 | King Elementary School Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 8.4 |
| 13 | Pinon Valley Elementary School Cheyenne Mountain School District No. 12 in the county of E | 8.2 |
| 14 | Steele Elementary School Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 8.2 |
| 15 | Chipeta Elementary School Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 8.2 |
| 16 | Monterey Elementary School Harrison School District No. 2 in the county of El Paso an | 8.2 |
| 17 | Coperni 3 Charter State Charter School Institute | 8.1 |
| 18 | The Classical Academy Charter Charter Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 8.1 |
| 19 | Frontier Elementary School Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 8.0 |
| 20 | Martinez Elementary School Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 8.0 |
| 21 | Taylor Elementary School Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 7.9 |
| 22 | Evans Elementary School El Paso County Colorado School District 49 | 7.9 |
| 23 | ST PAUL CATHOLIC SCHOOL | 7.9 |
| 24 | Bristol Elementary School Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 7.8 |
| 25 | Pioneer Technology and Arts Academy Charter El Paso County Colorado School District 49 | 7.8 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Colorado education department. Rankings are relative to all public elementary schools in Colorado. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 Elementary Schools in Colorado Springs
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Colorado Springs's Top 10 Elementary Schools
Queen Palmer Elementary School
Talbott STEAM Innovation School
Woodmen-Roberts Elementary School
Encompass Heights Elementary School
Buena Vista Elementary School
Ray E Kilmer Elementary School
Choosing the Right Elementary School in Colorado Springs
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Colorado Springs's elementary school landscape is one of the most diverse in Colorado, with 111 schools spanning 12 school districts, plus 16 charter schools offering alternative approaches.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best elementary school in Colorado Springs, Colorado?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Queen Palmer Elementary School is the top-rated elementary school in Colorado Springs with a composite score of 9.1/10. The score is based on academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment.
How many elementary schools are in Colorado Springs, Colorado?
Colorado Springs has 111 elementary schools, including 16 charter schools. Of these, 108 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average elementary school rating in Colorado Springs?
The average composite score for Colorado Springs elementary schools is 6.4/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Colorado).
How does MySchoolScout rate elementary schools?
Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and School Environment (15%). All scores are computed within Colorado, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in Colorado, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Colorado Springs elementary school rankings?
Yes. Colorado Springs has 16 charter elementary schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.