Very Good
#419 of 1,815 schools in CO
Top 23% 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
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
491
Student-Teacher
18.9:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Loveland
#7 of 25
public schools
Colorado elementary schools
#314 of 1,006
In district
#8 of 31
Thompson School District R-2J
Academic growth
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About High Plains School
High Plains School is a regular public elementary school located in Loveland, Colorado. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, making it unique with its extended grade range. With an enrollment of 491 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18.9:1, High Plains School offers personalized attention to each student's needs.
The school boasts 26 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing a quality education. Academically, High Plains School is ranked #499 out of 1831 schools in Colorado, placing it around the 73rd percentile. The ELA/reading proficiency rate stands at 53%, while math proficiency is at 41%.
These scores indicate areas where the school can focus on improving student performance. High Plains School's setting within a small city provides a close-knit community feel, fostering strong relationships between students, teachers, and families.
Score Breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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High Plains School — Students at High Plains School score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 19 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: 8.7/10.
How High Plains School Compares
See how High Plains School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 35% (2019) to 42.12% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 45% (2019) to 53.58% (2025).
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 8.5/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Winona Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 2.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Garfield Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 3.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 | 5.2 |
| New Vision Charter School Loveland | 2.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Winona Elementary School Loveland | 2.5 mi | 7.8 |
| RESURRECTION CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Loveland | 2.5 mi | 3.8 |
| Peakview Academy at Conrad Ball Loveland | 2.5 mi | 3.7 |
| Thompson Integrated Early Childhood Loveland | 3.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Riverview PK-8 Johnstown | 3.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Bamford Elementary School Loveland | 3.7 mi | 8.5 |
| Truscott Elementary School Loveland | 3.3 mi | 4.7 |
| IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Loveland | 3.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Bill Reed Middle School Loveland | 3.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Laurene Edmondson Elementary School Loveland | 3.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Garfield Elementary School Loveland | 3.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Colorado Early Colleges Windsor Windsor | 4.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Loveland | 3.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Loveland High School Loveland | 3.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Cottonwood Plains Elementary School Ft. Collins | 4.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Centennial Elementary School Loveland | 4.3 mi | 6.0 |
| ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Loveland | 4.3 mi | 6.7 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding High Plains School has a median household income of $85,057. It is a well-educated community where 43% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $472,200, with a median rent of $1,730/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Coyote Creek Elementary School Highlands Ranch, CO | 7.6 |
| Eagle Valley Elementary School Eagle, CO | 7.6 |
| Edgewater Elementary School Edgewater, CO | 7.6 |
| Edith Wolford Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO | 7.6 |
| Foster Dual Language PK-8 Arvada, CO | 7.6 |
| Inspiration View Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO | 7.6 |
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 is ranked #419 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is High Plains School's MySchoolScout rating?
High Plains 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 High Plains School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, High Plains School has 40.5% math proficiency and 53.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Loveland). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (970) 679-9800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Thompson School District R-2J- District Enrollment
- 14,907
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,678
- District Rank
- #8 of 31
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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