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Very Good

#533 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 29% in state

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

7.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#533 of 1,815

In Highlands Ranch

#24 of 26

public schools

In district

#51 of 88

Douglas County School District No. Re 1

Academic growth

9.0 / 10

Excellent

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Stem School Highlands Ranch

7.4/10

School in Highlands Ranch · grades Kindergarten – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Northridge Elementary School

8.6/10

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

Eldorado Elementary School

9.0/10

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

About Stem School Highlands Ranch

Stem School Highlands Ranch is a public school in Highlands Ranch, CO, part of Douglas County School District No. Re 1. Stem School Highlands Ranch serves approximately 1,399 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th, and has a 18.9:1 student-teacher ratio.

Stem School Highlands Ranch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #533 of 1,815 schools in CO. Structured state assessment records for Stem School Highlands Ranch show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 7.4 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.3
  • CO avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Stem School Highlands Ranch is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.0Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.58 pts/yr
Data Period2011–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.5Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56.6% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency65% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg+20.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+20.1 pts
Overall Proficiency61% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)56% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected+4.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
AP Participation19.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,942
Chronic Absenteeism23.5%

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 61.1% (multi-year average, 2011-2025)
School
State
37.4% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 72.0% (multi-year average, 2011-2025)
School
State
45.5% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 37 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2011
Math
76%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
75%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
81%
ELA
93%
2014
Math
60%
ELA
75%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
71%
2017
Math
59%
ELA
73%
2018
Math
63%
ELA
73%
2019
Math
63%
ELA
73%
2020*
Math
61%
ELA
71%
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: 9.0/10.

How Stem School Highlands Ranch Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
71th percentile in CO
Academic
8.5/10
Excellent
Growth
9.0/10
Excellent
Environment
4.4/10
Below Average
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.7
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
12%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
74 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.5%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
19.9% participation·State avg: 2.7 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

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), with a comparable rating. Additionally, ARMA DEI ACADEMY (rated 5.6/10, 2.0 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 8.6
Eldorado Elementary School Highlands Ranch 1.1 mi 9.0
Littleton Academy Littleton 1.2 mi 9.0
Ben Franklin Academy Highlands Ranch 1.0 mi 7.8
Bear Canyon Elementary School Highlands Ranch 1.4 mi 6.6
Saddle Ranch Elementary School Highlands Ranch 1.6 mi 8.0
Thunderridge High School Highlands Ranch 1.6 mi 8.0
Ranch View Middle School Highlands Ranch 1.7 mi 7.9
John Wesley Powell Middle School Littleton 1.6 mi 8.2
Trailblazer Elementary School Highlands Ranch 1.7 mi 8.3
Runyon Elementary School Littleton 2.1 mi 8.2
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 7.8
Heritage High School Littleton 2.2 mi 7.9
Stone Mountain Elementary Highlands Ranch 2.2 mi 8.6
Hopkins Elementary School Centennial 2.4 mi 8.1
Coyote Creek Elementary School Highlands Ranch 2.3 mi 8.3
MACKINTOSH ACADEMY Littleton 2.5 mi 7.5
Euclid Middle School Littleton 2.9 mi 7.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Liberty Common Charter School Fort Collins, CO 7.4
Skyview Academy Highlands Ranch, CO 7.4
Prospect Ridge Academy Broomfield, CO 7.5
Ascent Classical Academy of Douglas County Lone Tree, CO 7.8
Loveland Classical School Loveland, CO 6.9
Stargate Charter School Thornton, CO 8.1

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 ranks #533 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Stem School Highlands Ranch's MySchoolScout rating?

Stem School Highlands Ranch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 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 Stem School Highlands Ranch?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Stem School Highlands Ranch has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.5%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

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