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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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.29 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.4Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency59.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74.6%
Math vs. State Avg+23.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+29.7 pts
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected+14.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,848

Cougar Run Elementary School — Students at Cougar Run Elementary School score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

18.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 56.4%
School
State
38.3%
ELA Proficiency 72.2%
School
State
44.9%

Based on 15 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
55%
ELA
65%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
52%
2025
Math
59.5%
ELA
74.7%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Cougar Run Elementary School Compares

See how Cougar Run Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.2/10
89th percentile in CO
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
5.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
18%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
29 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
62 Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (728/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
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
#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 methodology

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