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#1406 of 1,815 schools in CO

Bear Canyon Elementary School

Elementary School · Douglas County School District No. Re 1

9660 SALFORD LANE, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126

Enrollment

362

Student-Teacher

16.5:1

Score

5.1

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Highlands Ranch

#24 of 26

public schools

Colorado elementary schools

#801 of 1,006

In district

#80 of 88

Douglas County School District No. Re 1

Equity

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Bear Canyon Elementary School

Bear Canyon Elementary School serves 362 students in prekindergarten through sixth grade in the affluent Highlands Ranch community of Douglas County. With 22 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a comfortable student-teacher ratio of 16.5:1, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.6 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #168 out of 1,831 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 91st percentile.

Bear Canyon's academic score of 9.0 out of 10 reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence, with 55% of students achieving proficiency or above in mathematics across all grade levels. Located at 9660 Salford Lane in the 80126 ZIP code, Bear Canyon Elementary sits within one of Colorado's most prosperous communities. The surrounding neighborhood boasts a median household income of $157,892 and a median home value of $666,800, with an exceptionally low poverty rate of just 1.7%.

The area's educational culture is evident in its demographics, with 68% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Bear Canyon Elementary operates as a regular public school within this thriving suburban environment, where families prioritize education and community engagement in the heart of Douglas County.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.2Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency55%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Overall Proficiency59%
Expected (poverty-adj.)55%
vs. Expected+3.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile75th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,848

Bear Canyon Elementary School — Students at Bear Canyon Elementary School score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

14.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 52.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 66.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
54%
ELA
71%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
55%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.2/10.

How Bear Canyon Elementary School Compares

See how Bear Canyon Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.1/10
23th percentile in CO
Academic
8.3/10
8.3/10
Growth
3.2/10
Below average
Environment
5.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
15%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

9660 SALFORD LANE, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bear Canyon Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Heritage Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Trailblazer Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Eldorado Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Highlands Ranch, see our Highlands Ranch schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Northridge Elementary School Highlands Ranch 0.8 mi 7.9
ARMA DEI ACADEMY Highlands Ranch 0.9 mi 5.6
Saddle Ranch Elementary School Highlands Ranch 1.0 mi 7.3
Eldorado Elementary School Highlands Ranch 1.1 mi 8.8
Summit View Elementary School Highlands Ranch 1.2 mi 8.2
STEM School Highlands Ranch Highlands Ranch 1.4 mi 5.3
Mountain Vista High School Highlands Ranch 1.5 mi 6.7
Sand Creek Elementary School Highlands Ranch 1.6 mi 7.9
MILE HIGH ACADEMY Highlands Ranch 1.7 mi 6.9
Mountain Ridge Middle School Highlands Ranch 1.6 mi 8.1
Stone Mountain Elementary Highlands Ranch 1.6 mi 8.6
Ranch View Middle School Highlands Ranch 1.5 mi 7.1
Thunderridge High School Highlands Ranch 1.6 mi 6.5
Heritage Elementary School Highlands Ranch 1.8 mi 8.9
John Wesley Powell Middle School Littleton 2.3 mi 5.8
Cougar Run Elementary School Highlands Ranch 2.1 mi 8.2
VALOR CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Highlands Ranch 2.0 mi 4.5
Littleton Academy Littleton 2.5 mi 8.3
Ben Franklin Academy Highlands Ranch 2.3 mi 4.2
Trailblazer Elementary School Highlands Ranch 2.1 mi 8.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80126 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$166,501

Median Home Value

$713,500

Median Rent

$2,379/mo

Population

44,482

College Educated

69.5%

Homeownership

83.9%

Avg Commute

25.3 min

Poverty Rate

2%

Median Age

41.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bear Canyon Elementary School has a median household income of $166,501. It is a well-educated community where 70% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $713,500, with a median rent of $2,379/month. The local poverty rate of 2.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Beattie Elementary School Fort Collins, CO 5.1
Canyon Creek Elementary School Aurora, CO 5.1
Graham Mesa Elementary School Rifle, CO 5.1
Lowry Elementary School Denver, CO 5.1
McElwain Elementary School Thornton, CO 5.1
Peyton Elementary School Peyton, CO 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bear Canyon Elementary School

What grades does Bear Canyon Elementary School serve?

Bear Canyon Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Bear Canyon Elementary School?

Bear Canyon Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 362 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bear Canyon Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Bear Canyon Elementary School is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bear Canyon Elementary School rank in CO?

Bear Canyon Elementary School is ranked #1406 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Bear Canyon Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bear Canyon Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bear Canyon Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bear Canyon Elementary School has 52.0% math proficiency and 66.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bear Canyon Elementary School a charter school?

No, Bear Canyon Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bear Canyon Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Bear Canyon Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bear Canyon Elementary School?

14.6% of students at Bear Canyon Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Elevated (728/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
362
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
14.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Douglas County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Douglas County School District No. Re 1
District Enrollment
61,409
Schools in District
89
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,942
District Rank
#80 of 88

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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