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Very Good

#461 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 25% in state

Ralston Elementary School

Elementary School · Jefferson County School District No. R-1

25856 COLUMBINE GLEN, Golden, CO 80401

Enrollment

288

Student-Teacher

18:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Golden

#6 of 16

public schools

Colorado elementary schools

#335 of 1,006

In district

#36 of 140

Jefferson County School District No. R-1

Academic performance

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Ralston Elementary School

Ralston Elementary School serves 288 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Golden, Colorado, consistently delivering exceptional academic results that place it among the state's top performers. With a student-teacher ratio of 18:1 supported by 16 full-time equivalent teachers, the school has earned a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks 114th out of 1,831 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 94th percentile. The school's academic excellence is particularly evident in mathematics, where 77% of students demonstrate proficiency or above across all grade levels.

This strong performance reflects both quality instruction and the supportive educational environment that Ralston Elementary provides its students. Located at 25856 Columbine Glen, the school serves families in the 80401 area, where the median household income is $109,273 and 56% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The community's commitment to education is reflected in low poverty rates of just 9.2% and median home values of $691,000, indicating a stable, invested neighborhood.

Ralston Elementary sits in a rural setting near the town of Golden, offering students the benefits of a close-knit school environment while being part of Jefferson County's broader educational community.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Ralston Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.8Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency79.2%
Math vs. State Avg+41.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+34.3 pts
Overall Proficiency78%
Expected (poverty-adj.)60%
vs. Expected+18.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile97th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.6Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,124

Ralston Elementary School — Students at Ralston Elementary School score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

4.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 78.4%
School
State
39.5%
ELA Proficiency 77.6%
School
State
44.9%

Based on 13 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
84.5%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
77%
2025
Math
77.6%
ELA
79.1%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How Ralston Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.5/10
75th percentile in CO
Academic
9.8/10
9.8/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
4.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
4%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

Location

25856 COLUMBINE GLEN, Golden, CO 80401

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ralston Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bergen Valley Intermediate School (rated 8.7/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Evergreen), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rocky Mountain Academy of Evergreen (rated 8.5/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Evergreen), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Parmalee Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Indian Hills), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Golden, see our Golden schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.2 mi
School Distance Rating
EVERGREEN COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Evergreen 2.2 mi 7.7
Bergen Valley Intermediate School Evergreen 3.5 mi 8.7
Mitchell Elementary School Golden 4.5 mi 7.8
Bergen Meadow Primary School Evergreen 4.4 mi 5.7
Shelton Elementary School Golden 4.2 mi 7.9
Evergreen Middle School Evergreen 4.6 mi 7.2
VERTICAL SKILLS ACADEMY Evergreen 4.5 mi
Parmalee Elementary School Indian Hills 5.6 mi 8.3
Golden High School Golden 4.6 mi 6.6
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF EVERGREEN Evergreen 5.5 mi 6.1
Rocky Mountain Academy of Evergreen Evergreen 5.2 mi 8.5
Connections Learning Center on the Earle Johnson C Golden 5.1 mi
Bell Middle School Golden 5.3 mi 3.8
Golden View Classical Academy Golden 5.4 mi 6.5
Evergreen High School Evergreen 6.9 mi 7.2
Wilmot Elementary School Evergreen 7.1 mi 8.2
Clear Creek High School Evergreen 5.9 mi 7.5
Clear Creek Middle School Evergreen 5.9 mi 4.9
Red Rocks Elementary School Morrison 6.6 mi 8.2
Free Horizon Montessori Golden 6.2 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$112,444

Median Home Value

$748,800

Median Rent

$1,868/mo

Population

43,429

College Educated

56.9%

Homeownership

66%

Avg Commute

23.8 min

Poverty Rate

9.3%

Median Age

38.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ralston Elementary School has a median household income of $112,444. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $748,800, with a median rent of $1,868/month. The local poverty rate of 9.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Asbury Elementary School Denver, CO 7.5
Birch Elementary School Broomfield, CO 7.5
Cardinal Community Academy Charter School Keenesburg, CO 7.5
Coronado Elementary School Littleton, CO 7.5
Meeker Elementary School Meeker, CO 7.5
Ponderosa Elementary Loveland, CO 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ralston Elementary School

What grades does Ralston Elementary School serve?

Ralston Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Ralston Elementary School?

Ralston Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 288 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Ralston Elementary School is 18:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ralston Elementary School rank in CO?

Ralston Elementary School is ranked #461 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Ralston Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ralston Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Ralston Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ralston Elementary School has 78.4% math proficiency and 77.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ralston Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Ralston Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

4.2% of students at Ralston 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
19 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,536/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Golden). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
288
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
4.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Jefferson County
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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