Below Average
#1421 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
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
418
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Colorado schools
#1,421 of 1,815
In Rifle
#2 of 5
public schools
In district
#5 of 10
Garfield School District No. Re-2
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Highland Elementary School
Elementary School in Rifle · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Graham Mesa Elementary School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Wamsley Elementary School
1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Highland Elementary School
Highland Elementary School is a public elementary school in Rifle, CO, part of Garfield School District No. Re-2. Highland Elementary School serves approximately 418 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio.
Highland Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,421 of 1,815 schools in CO. Structured state assessment records for Highland Elementary School show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.8 · Below Average
- District avg 4.3
- CO avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
44% of students at Highland Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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 35 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: 4.5/10.
How Highland Elementary School Compares
See how Highland Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Two Rivers Community School (rated 7.1/10, 21.3 miles away, in nearby Glenwood Springs), which scores notably higher. Another option is Plateau Valley Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 24.4 miles away, in nearby Collbran), which scores notably higher. Additionally, AMBLESIDE AT SKYLARK (rated 6.5/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby New Castle), 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 | 3.8 |
| Wamsley Elementary School Rifle | 1.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Rifle Middle School Rifle | 1.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Rifle High School Rifle | 1.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Cactus Valley Elementary School Silt | 5.6 mi | 3.7 |
| Coal Ridge High School New Castle | 8.4 mi | 5.9 |
| LIBERTY CLASSICAL ACADEMY New Castle | 11.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Elk Creek Elementary New Castle | 12.2 mi | 4.0 |
| AMBLESIDE AT SKYLARK New Castle | 12.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Riverside School New Castle | 12.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Kathryn Senor Elementary School New Castle | 12.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Grand Valley Middle School Parachute | 15.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Grand Valley Center for Family Learning Parachute | 16.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Bea Underwood Elementary School Parachute | 16.9 mi | 3.1 |
| Grand Valley High School Parachute | 17.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Grand Mesa High School Collbran | 23.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Plateau Valley Elementary School Collbran | 24.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Plateau Valley High School Collbran | 24.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Plateau Valley Junior High School Collbran | 24.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Two Rivers Community School Glenwood Springs | 21.3 mi | 7.1 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Aspen Ridge Preparatory School Erie, CO | 4.8 |
| Avery/Parsons Elementary School Buena Vista, CO | 4.8 |
| Blue Heron Elementary School Littleton, CO | 4.8 |
| Centennial Elementary School Evans, CO | 4.8 |
| Centennial Elementary School Broomfield, CO | 4.8 |
| Clayton Partnership School Thornton, CO | 4.8 |
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 ranks #1,421 of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Highland Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 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 Highland Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Highland Elementary School has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 43.5%
- Phone
- (970) 665-6800
Resources & Links
District
Garfield School District No. Re-2- District Enrollment
- 4,786
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,874
- District Rank
- #5 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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