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Excellent

#284 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 16% in state

High Plains School

Elementary School · Thompson School District R-2J

4255 BUFFALO MOUNTAIN DRIVE, Loveland, CO 80538

Enrollment

491

Student-Teacher

18.9:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#284 of 1,815

In Loveland

#2 of 25

public schools

In district

#2 of 31

Thompson School District R-2J

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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High Plains School

8.1/10

Elementary School in Loveland · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Mountain View High School

5.7/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

New Vision Charter School

7.0/10

2.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About High Plains School

High Plains School is a public elementary school in Loveland, CO, part of Thompson School District R-2J. High Plains School serves approximately 491 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 18.9:1 student-teacher ratio. High Plains School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #284 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for High Plains School show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025).

How it compares1.9 pts above district
  • This school 8.1 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.2
  • CO avg 6.3

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.7Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data8
Annual Change+1.1 pts/yr
Data Period2016–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.7Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42.1% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency53.6% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg+6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+8.7 pts
Overall Proficiency48% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)44% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected+3.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile65th
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,678
Chronic Absenteeism27.5%

High Plains School — Students at High Plains School score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

36.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 39.2% (multi-year average, 2016-2025)
School
State
37.4% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 51.1% (multi-year average, 2016-2025)
School
State
45.5% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 27 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2016
Math
37%
ELA
40%
2017
Math
39%
ELA
43%
2018
Math
35%
ELA
45%
2019
Math
35%
ELA
45%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
40%
2025
Math
42.6%
ELA
53.8%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How High Plains School Compares

See how High Plains School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
84th percentile in CO
Academic
7.7/10
Very Good
Growth
9.7/10
Excellent
Environment
4.8/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
36%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
27.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

4255 BUFFALO MOUNTAIN DRIVE, Loveland, CO 80538

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering High Plains School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bamford Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Riverview PK-8 (rated 7.7/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Johnstown), with a comparable rating. Additionally, New Vision Charter School (rated 7.0/10, 2.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Loveland, see our Loveland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Mountain View High School Loveland 0.8 mi 5.7
New Vision Charter School Loveland 2.0 mi 7.0
Winona Elementary School Loveland 2.5 mi 4.7
RESURRECTION CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Loveland 2.5 mi 3.8
Peakview Academy at Conrad Ball Loveland 2.5 mi 3.2
Thompson Integrated Early Childhood Loveland 3.1 mi 5.8
Riverview PK-8 Johnstown 3.3 mi 7.7
Bamford Elementary School Loveland 3.7 mi 9.0
Truscott Elementary School Loveland 3.3 mi 4.3
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Loveland 3.5 mi 5.4
Bill Reed Middle School Loveland 3.5 mi 5.1
Laurene Edmondson Elementary School Loveland 3.7 mi 3.9
Garfield Elementary School Loveland 3.7 mi 6.5
Colorado Early Colleges Windsor Windsor 4.6 mi 6.4
Lincoln Elementary School Loveland 3.7 mi 6.5
Loveland High School Loveland 3.8 mi 7.3
Cottonwood Plains Elementary School Ft. Collins 4.8 mi 5.2
Centennial Elementary School Loveland 4.3 mi 6.5
ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Loveland 4.3 mi 6.8
B F Kitchen Elementary School Loveland 4.7 mi 4.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80538 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$85,057

Median Home Value

$472,200

Median Rent

$1,730/mo

Population

49,183

College Educated

42.5%

Homeownership

69%

Avg Commute

26.7 min

Poverty Rate

8%

Median Age

43.3

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bacon Elementary School Fort Collins, CO 8.1
Douglass Elementary School Boulder, CO 8.1
Eaton Elementary School Eaton, CO 8.1
Grand View Elementary Frederick, CO 8.1
Hopkins Elementary School Centennial, CO 8.1
Odyssey School of Denver Denver, CO 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about High Plains School

What grades does High Plains School serve?

High Plains School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend High Plains School?

High Plains School has an enrollment of approximately 491 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at High Plains School?

The student-teacher ratio at High Plains School is 18.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does High Plains School rank in CO?

High Plains School ranks #284 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is High Plains School's MySchoolScout rating?

High Plains School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 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 High Plains School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, High Plains School has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025).

Is High Plains School a charter school?

No, High Plains School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is High Plains School a Title I school?

No, High Plains School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for High Plains School?

36.3% of students at High Plains 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
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
491
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
36.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Larimer County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
27.5%

District

Thompson School District R-2J
District Enrollment
14,907
Schools in District
32
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,678
District Rank
#2 of 31

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