Excellent
#199 of 1,815 schools in CO
Top 11% in state
Cougar Run Elementary School
Elementary School · Douglas County School District No. Re 1
8780 VENNEFORD RANCH ROAD, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126
Enrollment
360
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
360
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Highlands Ranch
#9 of 26
public schools
Colorado elementary schools
#159 of 1,006
In district
#20 of 88
Douglas County School District No. Re 1
Equity
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Cougar Run Elementary School
Cougar Run Elementary School is a public elementary school in Highlands Ranch, CO, part of the Douglas County School District No. Re 1. The school serves approximately 360 students in grades Kindergarten – 6th with a student-teacher ratio of 16.4:1.
It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 89.1th percentile among CO schools — an above average rating overall. Students demonstrate 56% proficiency in math, 18 points above the state average and 72% in reading/language arts, 27 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.6/10).
Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $166,501, where 70% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Cougar Run Elementary School — Students at Cougar Run Elementary School score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
18.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 15 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: 8.6/10.
How Cougar Run Elementary School Compares
See how Cougar Run Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 55% (2019) to 59.79% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 65% (2019) to 74.61% (2025).
Location
8780 VENNEFORD RANCH ROAD, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cougar Run Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Heritage Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Redstone Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Ford Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Centennial), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Highlands Ranch, see our Highlands Ranch schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PRIMROSE SCHOOL AT SHADOW CANYON Littleton | 0.4 mi | — |
| Platte River Charter Academy Highlands Ranch | 0.4 mi | 8.2 |
| VALOR CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Highlands Ranch | 1.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Highlands Ranch High School Highlands Ranch | 1.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Cresthill Middle School Highlands Ranch | 1.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Sand Creek Elementary School Highlands Ranch | 1.0 mi | 7.9 |
| MILE HIGH ACADEMY Highlands Ranch | 1.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Heritage Elementary School Highlands Ranch | 1.7 mi | 8.9 |
| ESPREE CHILD LEARNING CENTER Highlands Ranch | 1.5 mi | — |
| Summit View Elementary School Highlands Ranch | 1.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Arapahoe High School Centennial | 2.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Arrowwood Elementary School Highlands Ranch | 2.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Skyview Academy Highlands Ranch | 1.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Ford Elementary Centennial | 2.1 mi | 8.6 |
| John Wesley Powell Middle School Littleton | 2.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Northridge Elementary School Highlands Ranch | 1.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Redstone Elementary School Highlands Ranch | 2.1 mi | 8.8 |
| Sandburg Elementary School Centennial | 2.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Fox Creek Elementary School Highlands Ranch | 2.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Mountain Ridge Middle School Highlands Ranch | 2.5 mi | 8.1 |
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 Cougar Run 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 |
|---|---|
| Chipeta Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO | 8.2 |
| Columbine Elementary School Denver, CO | 8.2 |
| Foothill Elementary School Boulder, CO | 8.2 |
| Highlands Elementary School Erie, CO | 8.2 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Denver, CO | 8.2 |
| Monterey Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cougar Run Elementary School
What grades does Cougar Run Elementary School serve?
Cougar Run Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Cougar Run Elementary School?
Cougar Run Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 360 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cougar Run Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Cougar Run Elementary School is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cougar Run Elementary School rank in CO?
Cougar Run Elementary School is ranked #199 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Cougar Run Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cougar Run Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Cougar Run Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cougar Run Elementary School has 56.4% math proficiency and 72.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cougar Run Elementary School a charter school?
No, Cougar Run Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cougar Run Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Cougar Run Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cougar Run Elementary School?
18.1% of students at Cougar Run 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
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 360
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 18.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Douglas County
- Phone
- (303) 387-6675
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Douglas County School District No. Re 1- District Enrollment
- 61,409
- Schools in District
- 89
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,942
- District Rank
- #20 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 methodologyRelated reading
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