Average
#1457 of 1,815 schools in CO
Highland Elementary School
Elementary School · Garfield School District No. Re-2
1500 EAST 7TH STREET, Rifle, CO 81650
Enrollment
418
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
418
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Rifle
#4 of 5
public schools
Colorado elementary schools
#822 of 1,006
In district
#7 of 10
Garfield School District No. Re-2
School environment
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Highland Elementary School
Highland Elementary School in Rifle, Colorado is a regular public school serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 418 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1, the school benefits from a relatively low teacher-to-student ratio, which allows for more personalized attention. The dedicated staff of 31 full-time equivalent teachers work to support each child's educational needs.
Highland Elementary currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks at #1366 out of 1831 schools in Colorado, placing it in the 26th percentile statewide. Academic performance shows that 31% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while only 21% meet proficiency standards in math. The school is focusing on student development and has room for academic growth.
Highland Elementary School is situated in a remote town, offering a close-knit community where teachers and families work together to provide a nurturing environment for young learners.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Highland Elementary School — Students at Highland Elementary School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
48.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from CO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.3/10.
How Highland Elementary School Compares
See how Highland Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 29% (2019) to 21.65% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 29.17% (2025).
Location
1500 EAST 7TH STREET, Rifle, CO 81650
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highland Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Plateau Valley Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 24.4 miles away, in nearby Collbran), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kathryn Senor Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby New Castle), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Two Rivers Community School (rated 6.9/10, 21.3 miles away, in nearby Glenwood Springs), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Rifle, see our Rifle schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 21.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Graham Mesa Elementary School Rifle | 0.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Wamsley Elementary School Rifle | 1.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Rifle Middle School Rifle | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Rifle High School Rifle | 1.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Cactus Valley Elementary School Silt | 5.6 mi | 4.2 |
| Coal Ridge High School New Castle | 8.4 mi | 3.2 |
| LIBERTY CLASSICAL ACADEMY New Castle | 11.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Elk Creek Elementary New Castle | 12.2 mi | 5.5 |
| AMBLESIDE AT SKYLARK New Castle | 12.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Riverside School New Castle | 12.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Kathryn Senor Elementary School New Castle | 12.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Grand Valley Middle School Parachute | 15.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Grand Valley Center for Family Learning Parachute | 16.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Bea Underwood Elementary School Parachute | 16.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Grand Valley High School Parachute | 17.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Grand Mesa High School Collbran | 23.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Plateau Valley Elementary School Collbran | 24.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Plateau Valley High School Collbran | 24.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Plateau Valley Junior High School Collbran | 24.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Two Rivers Community School Glenwood Springs | 21.3 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 81650 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$81,506
Median Home Value
$397,100
Median Rent
$1,236/mo
Population
14,071
College Educated
17.1%
Homeownership
75.9%
Avg Commute
31.8 min
Poverty Rate
7.6%
Median Age
33.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highland Elementary School has a median household income of $81,506. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $397,100, with a median rent of $1,236/month. The local poverty rate of 7.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Aragon Elementary School Fountain, CO | 5.0 |
| Coyote Hills Elementary School Aurora, CO | 5.0 |
| Kemper Elementary School Cortez, CO | 5.0 |
| Marrama Elementary School Denver, CO | 5.0 |
| Martinez Elementary School Greeley, CO | 5.0 |
| Pete Mirich Elementary School Lasalle, CO | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highland Elementary School
What grades does Highland Elementary School serve?
Highland Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Highland Elementary School?
Highland Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 418 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Highland Elementary School is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highland Elementary School rank in CO?
Highland Elementary School is ranked #1457 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Highland Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Highland Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland Elementary School has 20.6% math proficiency and 31.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Highland Elementary School a charter school?
No, Highland Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highland Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Highland Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highland Elementary School?
48.3% of students at Highland 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,310/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Rifle). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 418
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 48.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Garfield County
- Phone
- (970) 665-6800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Garfield School District No. Re-2- District Enrollment
- 4,786
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,874
- District Rank
- #7 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.