Below Average
#1363 of 1,815 schools in CO
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
4.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
140
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Colorado schools
#1,363 of 1,815
In district
#4 of 5
Clear Creek School District No. Re-1
School environment
9.6 / 10
Excellent
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Carlson Elementary School
Elementary School in Idaho Springs · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Gilpin County Elementary School
6.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Gilpin County Undivided High School
6.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Carlson Elementary School
Carlson Elementary School is a public elementary school in Idaho Springs, CO, part of Clear Creek School District No. Re-1. Carlson Elementary School serves approximately 140 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio.
Carlson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,363 of 1,815 schools in CO. Structured state assessment records for Carlson Elementary School show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.9 · Below Average
- District avg 5.8
- CO avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
At 140 students, Carlson Elementary School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Carlson Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
31% of students at Carlson Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 31 test records from CO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.2/10.
How Carlson Elementary School Compares
See how Carlson Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Ralston Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Golden), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bergen Valley Intermediate School (rated 8.5/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Evergreen), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Wilmot Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Evergreen), which scores notably 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alice Terry Elementary School Englewood, CO | 5.0 |
| Merino Elementary School Merino, CO | 5.0 |
| Miami/Yoder Elementary School Rush, CO | 5.0 |
| Springfield Elementary School Springfield, CO | 5.0 |
| Animas Valley Elementary School Durango, CO | 4.8 |
| Carbondale Community Charter School Carbondale, CO | 4.8 |
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 ranks #1,363 of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Carlson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Carlson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Carlson Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Carlson Elementary School has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.4%
- Phone
- (303) 567-4431
Resources & Links
District
Clear Creek School District No. Re-1- District Enrollment
- 652
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,865
- District Rank
- #4 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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