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Excellent

#24 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 1% in state

Highlands Elementary School

Elementary School · St. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J

475 HIGHLANDS CIRCLE, Erie, CO 80516

Enrollment

474

Student-Teacher

17.6:1

Score

9.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#24 of 1,815

In Erie

#2 of 9

public schools

In district

#1 of 54

St. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Highlands Elementary School

9.2/10

Elementary School in Erie · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Erie High School

7.3/10

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

Soaring Heights Pk-8

8.7/10

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

About Highlands Elementary School

Highlands Elementary School is a public elementary school in Erie, CO, part of St. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J.

Highlands Elementary School serves approximately 474 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 17.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Highlands Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.2 out of 10 and ranks #24 of 1,815 schools in CO. Structured state assessment records for Highlands Elementary School show 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 CMAS).

How it compares2.4 pts above district
  • This school 9.2 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.8
  • CO avg 6.3

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.8Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+1.63 pts/yr
Data Period2022–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67.6% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency66.7% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg+31.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+21.8 pts
Overall Proficiency67% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)56% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected+11.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,045
Chronic Absenteeism10.1%

Highlands Elementary School — Students at Highlands Elementary School score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

12.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 65.9% (multi-year average, 2022-2025)
School
State
39.5% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 66.8% (2025 CMAS)
School
State
44.9% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 9 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2022
Math
62%
2025
Math
66.9%
ELA
66.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.8/10.

How Highlands Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
9.2/10
99th percentile in CO
Academic
9.3/10
Excellent
Growth
9.8/10
Excellent
Environment
7.5/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
12%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
10.1%

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

475 HIGHLANDS CIRCLE, Erie, CO 80516

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highlands Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Meadowlark School (rated 9.2/10, 3.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Erie Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Thunder Vista P-8 (rated 8.8/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Broomfield), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Erie, see our Erie schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Erie High School Erie 0.9 mi 7.3
Soaring Heights PK-8 Erie 1.0 mi 8.7
Aspen Ridge Preparatory School Erie 1.5 mi 4.8
Erie Middle School Erie 1.6 mi 6.8
Erie Elementary School Erie 1.7 mi 8.9
Black Rock Elementary Erie 2.4 mi 6.7
PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF ERIE AT VISTA RIDGE Erie 2.6 mi
Red Hawk Elementary Erie 2.1 mi 8.0
VISTA RIDGE ACADEMY Erie 2.6 mi 6.9
BOLDER PATHWAY SCHOOL Broomfield 2.6 mi
Prospect Ridge Academy Broomfield 3.2 mi 7.5
Thunder Vista P-8 Broomfield 3.5 mi 8.8
Meadowlark School Erie 3.0 mi 9.2
Grand View Elementary Frederick 4.2 mi 8.1
Kenneth Homyak PK-8 Dacono 3.6 mi 8.4
Peak to Peak Charter School Lafayette 4.3 mi 8.5
Pioneer Bilingual Elementary School Lafayette 4.2 mi 8.1
Justice High Charter School Lafayette 4.6 mi 5.4
Alicia Sanchez International School Lafayette 4.6 mi 6.3
Lafayette Elementary School Lafayette 4.6 mi 8.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80516 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$160,590

Median Home Value

$683,600

Median Rent

$2,718/mo

Population

37,107

College Educated

63.6%

Homeownership

89%

Avg Commute

27.6 min

Poverty Rate

3.1%

Median Age

37.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cherry Creek Charter Academy Greenwood Village, CO 9.2
Steele Elementary School Denver, CO 9.2
Bear Creek Elementary School Boulder, CO 9.1
Cherry Hills Village Elementary School Cherry Hills Village, CO 9.1
Cory Elementary School Denver, CO 9.1
Edison Elementary School Denver, CO 9.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highlands Elementary School

What grades does Highlands Elementary School serve?

Highlands Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Highlands Elementary School?

Highlands Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 474 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary School is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highlands Elementary School rank in CO?

Highlands Elementary School ranks #24 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Highlands Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Highlands Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.2 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 Highlands Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Highlands Elementary School has 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 CMAS).

Is Highlands Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Highlands Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Highlands Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highlands Elementary School?

12.2% of students at Highlands 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
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
21 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
474
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
12.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Small Suburb
County
Weld County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
10.1%

District

St. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J
District Enrollment
31,757
Schools in District
54
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,045
District Rank
#1 of 54

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