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Average

#1346 of 1,815 schools in CO

Stem School Highlands Ranch

School · Douglas County School District No. Re 1

8773 RIDGELINE DRIVE, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

Charter

Enrollment

1,399

Student-Teacher

18.9:1

Score

5.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Highlands Ranch

#23 of 26

public schools

Colorado schools

#77 of 130

In district

#79 of 88

Douglas County School District No. Re 1

Equity

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Stem School Highlands Ranch

STEM School Highlands Ranch serves 1,399 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in Douglas County, operating as a public charter school with a specialized focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. With 74 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an 18.9:1 student-teacher ratio, providing a reasonably intimate learning environment despite its substantial size. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #363 out of 1,831 Colorado schools, placing it in the 80th percentile statewide.

Its academic score of 9.0 out of 10 reflects the school's commitment to rigorous instruction, with 55% of students achieving proficiency or above in mathematics across grade levels. As a comprehensive K-12 institution, STEM School Highlands Ranch offers families the unique advantage of educational continuity from elementary through high school within the same STEM-focused framework. This structure allows students to build upon their technical and scientific foundation year after year without transitioning between different school environments.

The school is situated in an affluent suburban community where the median household income reaches $130,266 and 62% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. This highly educated, prosperous environment in Highlands Ranch provides a supportive backdrop for the school's academic mission.

What Parents Should Know

Stem School Highlands Ranch is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.4Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.33 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.5Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency65%
Math vs. State Avg+20.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+20.1 pts
Overall Proficiency61%
Expected (poverty-adj.)56%
vs. Expected+4.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
College Readiness4.6Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation19.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.3Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,848

Stem School Highlands Ranch — Students at Stem School Highlands Ranch score 61% 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

11.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 57.2%
School
State
37.4%
ELA Proficiency 65.9%
School
State
45.5%

Based on 19 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
63%
ELA
73%
2021*
Math
61%
ELA
71%
2022
Math
55%
2025
Math
56.2%
ELA
64.2%

* 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: 4.4/10.

How Stem School Highlands Ranch Compares

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

Overall Score
5.3/10
26th percentile in CO
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
4.4/10
Below average
Environment
3.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
12%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
74 teachers

Location

8773 RIDGELINE DRIVE, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Stem School Highlands Ranch may also want to explore other schools in the area. MILE HIGH ACADEMY (rated 6.9/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ARMA DEI ACADEMY (rated 5.6/10, 2.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Highlands Ranch, see our Highlands Ranch schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Northridge Elementary School Highlands Ranch 0.9 mi 7.9
Eldorado Elementary School Highlands Ranch 1.1 mi 8.8
Littleton Academy Littleton 1.2 mi 8.3
Ben Franklin Academy Highlands Ranch 1.0 mi 4.2
Bear Canyon Elementary School Highlands Ranch 1.4 mi 5.1
Saddle Ranch Elementary School Highlands Ranch 1.6 mi 7.3
Thunderridge High School Highlands Ranch 1.6 mi 6.5
Ranch View Middle School Highlands Ranch 1.7 mi 7.1
John Wesley Powell Middle School Littleton 1.6 mi 5.8
Trailblazer Elementary School Highlands Ranch 1.7 mi 8.9
Runyon Elementary School Littleton 2.1 mi 7.8
ARMA DEI ACADEMY Highlands Ranch 2.0 mi 5.6
MILE HIGH ACADEMY Highlands Ranch 1.7 mi 6.9
Sand Creek Elementary School Highlands Ranch 1.7 mi 7.9
Heritage High School Littleton 2.2 mi 7.4
Stone Mountain Elementary Highlands Ranch 2.2 mi 8.6
Hopkins Elementary School Centennial 2.4 mi 6.7
Coyote Creek Elementary School Highlands Ranch 2.3 mi 7.6
MACKINTOSH ACADEMY Littleton 2.5 mi 7.5
Euclid Middle School Littleton 2.9 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80129 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$136,915

Median Home Value

$643,400

Median Rent

$2,283/mo

Population

29,495

College Educated

63%

Homeownership

71.5%

Avg Commute

23.9 min

Poverty Rate

3.3%

Median Age

41.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Stem School Highlands Ranch has a median household income of $136,915. It is a well-educated community where 63% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $643,400, with a median rent of $2,283/month. The local poverty rate of 3.3% 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
Liberty Common Charter School Fort Collins, CO 5.3
Prospect Ridge Academy Broomfield, CO 5.3
Twin Peaks Charter Academy Longmont, CO 5.3
Caprock Academy Grand Junction, CO 5.2
Lotus School for Excellence Aurora, CO 5.4
Skyview Academy Highlands Ranch, CO 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Stem School Highlands Ranch

What grades does Stem School Highlands Ranch serve?

Stem School Highlands Ranch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Stem School Highlands Ranch?

Stem School Highlands Ranch has an enrollment of approximately 1,399 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Stem School Highlands Ranch?

The student-teacher ratio at Stem School Highlands Ranch is 18.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Stem School Highlands Ranch rank in CO?

Stem School Highlands Ranch is ranked #1346 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Stem School Highlands Ranch's MySchoolScout rating?

Stem School Highlands Ranch has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Stem School Highlands Ranch?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Stem School Highlands Ranch has 57.2% math proficiency and 65.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Stem School Highlands Ranch a charter school?

Yes, Stem School Highlands Ranch is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Stem School Highlands Ranch a Title I school?

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

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

11.7% of students at Stem School Highlands Ranch 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
44 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
60 Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (728/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
1,399
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
74
Free/Reduced Lunch
11.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Douglas County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Douglas County School District No. Re 1
District Enrollment
61,409
Schools in District
89
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,942
District Rank
#79 of 88

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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