Excellent
#62 of 1,815 schools in CO
Top 3% 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
9.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
288
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
9.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Colorado schools
#62 of 1,815
In Golden
#2 of 16
public schools
In district
#2 of 140
Jefferson County School District No. R-1
Academic performance
9.8 / 10
Excellent
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Ralston Elementary School
Elementary School in Golden · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Evergreen Country Day School
2.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bergen Valley Intermediate School
3.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Ralston Elementary School
Ralston Elementary School is a public elementary school in Golden, CO, part of Jefferson County School District No. R-1. Ralston Elementary School serves approximately 288 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 18:1 student-teacher ratio.
Ralston Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10 and ranks #62 of 1,815 schools in CO. Structured state assessment records for Ralston Elementary School show 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 9.0 · Excellent
- District avg 6.8
- CO avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
Ralston Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Ralston Elementary School — Students at Ralston Elementary School score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
4.2%
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: 9.1/10.
How Ralston Elementary School Compares
See how Ralston 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
25856 COLUMBINE GLEN, Golden, CO 80401
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ralston Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Parmalee Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Indian Hills), with a very similar rating. Another option is Bergen Valley Intermediate School (rated 8.5/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Evergreen), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Mitchell Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 4.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 | 8.5 |
| Mitchell Elementary School Golden | 4.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Bergen Meadow Primary School Evergreen | 4.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Shelton Elementary School Golden | 4.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Evergreen Middle School Evergreen | 4.6 mi | 7.5 |
| VERTICAL SKILLS ACADEMY Evergreen | 4.5 mi | — |
| Parmalee Elementary School Indian Hills | 5.6 mi | 8.8 |
| Golden High School Golden | 4.6 mi | 7.6 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF EVERGREEN Evergreen | 5.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Rocky Mountain Academy of Evergreen Evergreen | 5.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Connections Learning Center on the Earle Johnson C Golden | 5.1 mi | — |
| Bell Middle School Golden | 5.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Golden View Classical Academy Golden | 5.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Evergreen High School Evergreen | 6.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Wilmot Elementary School Evergreen | 7.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Clear Creek High School Evergreen | 5.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Clear Creek Middle School Evergreen | 5.9 mi | 3.8 |
| Red Rocks Elementary School Morrison | 6.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Free Horizon Montessori Golden | 6.2 mi | 5.5 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bamford Elementary School Loveland, CO | 9.0 |
| Broadmoor Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO | 9.0 |
| Colorado STEM Academy Westminster, CO | 9.0 |
| Polaris Elementary School Denver, CO | 9.0 |
| Bear Creek Elementary School Boulder, CO | 9.1 |
| Eisenhower Elementary School Boulder, CO | 9.1 |
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 ranks #62 of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Ralston Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ralston Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 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 Ralston Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Ralston Elementary School has 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 10.8%
- Phone
- (303) 982-4386
Resources & Links
District
Jefferson County School District No. R-1- District Enrollment
- 74,251
- Schools in District
- 148
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,483
- District Rank
- #2 of 140
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