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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.07 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.7Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency36.2%
Math vs. State Avg-11.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.7 pts
Overall Proficiency31%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-14.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,688

Carlson Elementary School — Students at Carlson Elementary School score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

33.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 26.0%
School
State
38.6%
ELA Proficiency 31.1%
School
State
46.7%

Based on 9 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
27%
2025
Math
28.1%
ELA
33.7%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.6/10
78th percentile in CO
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
Growth
8.4/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
34%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
Gilpin County Elementary School Black Hawk 6.3 mi 5.2
Gilpin County Undivided High School Black Hawk 6.3 mi 6.6
Clear Creek High School Evergreen 6.4 mi 7.5
Clear Creek Middle School Evergreen 6.4 mi 4.9
King-Murphy Elementary School Evergreen 8.5 mi 8.6
VERTICAL SKILLS ACADEMY Evergreen 9.3 mi
Bergen Meadow Primary School Evergreen 9.4 mi 5.7
Evergreen Middle School Evergreen 9.5 mi 7.2
Bergen Valley Intermediate School Evergreen 9.6 mi 8.7
Rocky Mountain Academy of Evergreen Evergreen 10.3 mi 8.5
Georgetown Community School Georgetown 9.8 mi 5.7
EVERGREEN COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Evergreen 10.7 mi 7.7
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF EVERGREEN Evergreen 11.7 mi 6.1
Nederland Middle-Senior High School Nederland 14.5 mi 6.7
Wilmot Elementary School Evergreen 12.8 mi 8.2
Evergreen High School Evergreen 13.0 mi 7.2
Nederland Elementary School Nederland 15.7 mi 8.9
Ralston Elementary School Golden 12.2 mi 7.5
Coal Creek Canyon K-8 Elementary School Golden 14.1 mi 7.1
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF EVERGREEN Evergreen 15.2 mi 7.6

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
57 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,099/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Idaho Springs). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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

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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