Excellent
#211 of 1,815 schools in CO
Top 12% 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
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
474
Student-Teacher
17.6:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Erie
#4 of 9
public schools
Colorado elementary schools
#169 of 1,006
In district
#11 of 54
St. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J
Academic performance
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Highlands Elementary School
Highlands Elementary School is a public elementary school in Erie, CO, part of the St. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J.
The school serves approximately 474 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 17.6:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 88.4th percentile among CO schools — an above average rating overall. Students demonstrate 66% proficiency in math, 26 points above the state average and 67% in reading/language arts, 22 points above the state average.
The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.0/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $160,590, where 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The school is situated in a small suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Highlands Elementary School — Students at Highlands Elementary School score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
12.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 9 test records from CO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.0/10.
How Highlands Elementary School Compares
See how Highlands Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 62% (2022) to 67.61% (2025).
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 8.5/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Erie Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Pioneer Bilingual Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Lafayette), with a very similar 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 | 6.2 |
| Soaring Heights PK-8 Erie | 1.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Aspen Ridge Preparatory School Erie | 1.5 mi | 8.2 |
| Erie Middle School Erie | 1.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Erie Elementary School Erie | 1.7 mi | 8.4 |
| Black Rock Elementary Erie | 2.4 mi | 7.8 |
| PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF ERIE AT VISTA RIDGE Erie | 2.6 mi | — |
| Red Hawk Elementary Erie | 2.1 mi | 6.6 |
| VISTA RIDGE ACADEMY Erie | 2.6 mi | 6.9 |
| BOLDER PATHWAY SCHOOL Broomfield | 2.6 mi | — |
| Prospect Ridge Academy Broomfield | 3.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Thunder Vista P-8 Broomfield | 3.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Meadowlark School Erie | 3.0 mi | 8.5 |
| Grand View Elementary Frederick | 4.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Kenneth Homyak PK-8 Dacono | 3.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Peak to Peak Charter School Lafayette | 4.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Pioneer Bilingual Elementary School Lafayette | 4.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Justice High Charter School Lafayette | 4.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Alicia Sanchez International School Lafayette | 4.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Lafayette Elementary School Lafayette | 4.6 mi | 7.0 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highlands Elementary School has a median household income of $160,590. It is a well-educated community where 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $683,600, with a median rent of $2,718/month. The local poverty rate of 3.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Aspen Ridge Preparatory School Erie, CO | 8.2 |
| Chipeta Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO | 8.2 |
| Columbine Elementary School Denver, CO | 8.2 |
| Cougar Run Elementary School Highlands Ranch, CO | 8.2 |
| Foothill Elementary School Boulder, CO | 8.2 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Denver, CO | 8.2 |
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 is ranked #211 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Highlands Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highlands Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Highlands Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highlands Elementary School has 65.9% math proficiency and 66.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Erie). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (303) 776-6200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
St. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J- District Enrollment
- 31,757
- Schools in District
- 54
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,045
- District Rank
- #11 of 54
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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