Very Good
#394 of 1,815 schools in CO
Top 22% in state
Carlson Elementary School
Elementary School · Clear Creek School District No. Re-1
P O BOX 3339, Idaho Springs, CO 80452
Enrollment
140
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
140
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Colorado elementary schools
#299 of 1,006
In district
#2 of 5
Clear Creek School District No. Re-1
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Carlson Elementary School
Carlson Elementary School in Idaho Springs, Colorado, is a rural public elementary school serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 140 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.7:1, Carlson offers personalized attention and support to each child. The dedicated teaching staff consists of 11 full-time equivalent teachers who are committed to fostering a nurturing learning environment.
While the school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.8 out of 10 and it ranks at #817 among Colorado schools in terms of academic performance, Carlson focuses on student development and offers a supportive community for its students. In recent assessments, 31% of students were proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 26% demonstrated proficiency or better in Math. These scores indicate areas where the school is working to improve academic outcomes.
Located in a rural setting within Clear Creek County, Carlson Elementary School benefits from its peaceful surroundings, providing a serene environment for learning and growth. The community values the close-knit atmosphere that supports both students and families.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 140 students, Carlson Elementary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Carlson Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Carlson Elementary School — Students at Carlson Elementary School score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
33.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 9 test records from CO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 8.4/10.
How Carlson Elementary School Compares
See how Carlson Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 25% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 36.23% (2025).
Location
P O BOX 3339, Idaho Springs, CO 80452
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Carlson Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Nederland Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Nederland), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bergen Valley Intermediate School (rated 8.7/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Evergreen), which scores notably higher. Additionally, King-Murphy Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Evergreen), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Idaho Springs, see our Idaho Springs schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 80452 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$73,906
Median Home Value
$420,500
Median Rent
$1,197/mo
Population
3,160
College Educated
50.9%
Homeownership
79.9%
Poverty Rate
6.9%
Median Age
49.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Carlson Elementary School has a median household income of $73,906. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $420,500, with a median rent of $1,197/month. The local poverty rate of 6.9% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Children's Kiva Montessori School Cortez, CO | 7.6 |
| HAVERN SCHOOL Littleton, CO | 7.6 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF EVERGREEN Evergreen, CO | 7.6 |
| CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Colorado Springs, CO | 7.5 |
| Cardinal Community Academy Charter School Keenesburg, CO | 7.5 |
| MACKINTOSH ACADEMY Littleton, CO | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Carlson Elementary School
What grades does Carlson Elementary School serve?
Carlson Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Carlson Elementary School?
Carlson Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 140 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Carlson Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Carlson Elementary School is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Carlson Elementary School rank in CO?
Carlson Elementary School is ranked #394 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Carlson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Carlson Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Carlson Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carlson Elementary School has 26.0% math proficiency and 31.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Carlson Elementary School a charter school?
No, Carlson Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Carlson Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Carlson Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carlson Elementary School?
33.6% of students at Carlson 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.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 140
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 33.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Clear Creek County
- Phone
- (303) 567-4431
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Clear Creek School District No. Re-1- District Enrollment
- 652
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,865
- District Rank
- #2 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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