Best Schools in Lakewood, Colorado

Lakewood's public school system spans 43 ranked schools, giving parents a genuinely wide field to work with. The city average sits at 5.7 out of 10 — a middle-of-the-road baseline that masks real spread at both ends. Twenty-six percent of schools, 11 in total, score 7 or higher, meaning strong options exist but require deliberate searching. The remaining three-quarters of schools cluster below that threshold, so neighborhood assignment alone does not guarantee a high-performing placement.

Elementary schools dominate the top of the rankings. Hutchinson Elementary leads the city with an 8.8 out of 10, the highest score among all 43 ranked schools. Rooney Ranch Elementary follows at 8.6, and Stober Elementary rounds out the top three at 8.5. Dennison Elementary (8.1) and South Lakewood Elementary (8.0) extend the strong-elementary tier, giving families across different parts of the city at least a handful of competitive options within reach. The concentration of high performers at the elementary level is a pattern worth noting: parents with school-age children in K–5 have more top-tier choices available than those seeking similarly rated middle or high school options.

The 5.7 city average tells parents that Lakewood is neither an elite school market nor a struggling one. Roughly one in four schools clears the 7-point mark — a meaningful but not abundant share. Families who land in a high-performing zone without open enrollment options are well-positioned; families in the lower-rated half of the district should treat school research as a higher-priority step before committing to a neighborhood.

Practically speaking, parents researching Lakewood should start by mapping the 11 schools scoring 7 or above against their target neighborhoods and commute range. Elementary placement offers the most upside — four of the city's five top-ranked schools are elementary campuses, and Hutchinson's 8.8 sets a genuinely high bar. Use open enrollment windows to access schools outside your attendance zone if your assigned school falls below the city average. Scores reflect ranked public schools only; charter and private options in the broader Jefferson County area can expand the picture further.