2026 data 30 schools CO

Best Schools in BOULDER, CO

30 public K-12 schools in BOULDER from NCES Common Core of Data: enrollment, grade span, demographics, and Civil Rights Data Collection statistics for every active campus.

30 public schools ranked by quality score. NCES CCD 2022-23 data.

Choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions families make. This page ranks every public school in BOULDER, CO using a composite quality score based on student-teacher ratios, counselor access, gifted program availability, and attendance rates. All data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data for the 2022-23 school year.

30
Schools
13,104
Students
Avg Quality
15.9:1
Avg Class Size

How the BOULDER Public-School Landscape Breaks Down

BOULDER, CO enrolls 13,104 students across 30 public schools reporting to the National Center for Education Statistics. Of those, 3 are charter schools, giving families genuine alternatives to the traditional neighbourhood assignment model. The average student-teacher ratio across the city is 15.9:1, Schools must report at least five campuses in a city to appear in this listing, which is why very small towns may redirect to the broader county or state view.

The highest-ranked campus in BOULDER is Boulder High School, scoring 33/100 (F) with 1,939 enrolled students at the high level. Families should treat any single ranking as a starting point rather than a verdict — a school serving fewer at-risk students or offering more AP classes will score higher on resource-based composites even if individual teachers or programs elsewhere are stronger. The quality score framework is transparent and rebuilt from raw NCES and Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) inputs, so each component can be inspected on the individual school pages linked in the table below.

BOULDER schools sit within multiple district boundaries, which matters for property taxes, redistricting votes, and bond measures. Each district files its own NCES F-33 financial return, meaning per-pupil spending can vary noticeably even between neighbouring campuses in the same city. Use the table to sort by enrollment, level, or district, then click any school name for campus-level demographics, Title I status, counselor and nurse staffing, AP courses, chronic-absenteeism rates, and district per-pupil spending. The sidebar links also connect BOULDER housing costs, wage data, and crime statistics — context many parents weigh alongside test-adjacent school signals when relocating.

BOULDER school enrollment varies 29× across entities

BOULDER school enrollment ranges from 68 students (lowest) to 1,939 students (highest), a spread of 1,871 students. That spread reflects typical urban portfolio variation between specialty programs and large neighbourhood schools. Per-school staffing, programme depth, and capital-renovation cycles often diverge inside the same city based on enrollment shape — a 200-student magnet runs a different operational model than a 2,000-student comprehensive high school.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data NCES Common Core of Data

BOULDER student-teacher ratio is 15.9:1 — near the typical range (US average ~16) — aligned with the U.S. average of approximately 16:1

student-teacher ratio is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: the ratio counts FTE classroom teachers against total enrollment — push-in specialists, English-language aides, special-education co-teachers, and counselors are not included in most reporting Variation between sub-units within BOULDER is typically wider than the BOULDER-aggregate figure suggests.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data — Public School Universe NCES Common Core of Data — Public School Universe

BOULDER has higher-than-average charter school authorisation eligibility — 10.0% of the population qualifies for charter-school enrollment options

charter-school enrollment options eligibility is the federal threshold for charter school authorisation funding allocations, established under the state-specific charter law. Areas above 30% eligibility receive concentration grants on top of the basic charter school authorisation formula. Regions with eligibility this high typically draw a substantially larger federal funding share relative to their local tax base, which can either offset or reinforce existing gaps depending on allocation policy.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data NCES Common Core of Data

# School Score
1. Boulder High School 33 F
2. Fairview High School 46 D
3. Leadership Academy of Colorado 74 B
4. Centennial Middle School 45 D
5. Southern Hills Middle School 53 C-
6. Nevin Platt Middle School 53 C-
7. Manhattan Middle School of the Arts and Academics 47 D
8. Foothill Elementary School 43 D
9. University Hill Elementary School 42 D
10. Crest View Elementary School 38 F
11. Columbine Elementary School 37 F
12. Summit Middle Charter School 56 C
13. Casey Middle School 46 D
14. Creekside Elementary School at Martin Park 47 D
15. Horizons K-8 School 52 C-
16. New Vista High School 49 D
17. Bear Creek Elementary School 50 C-
18. Douglass Elementary School 51 C-
19. Eisenhower Elementary School 48 D
20. Community Montessori School 42 D
21. Whittier Elementary School 42 D
22. High Peaks Elementary School 43 D
23. Boulder Community School/Integrated Studies 33 F
24. Heatherwood Elementary School 42 D
25. Mesa Elementary School 44 D
26. Boulder Universal 42 D
27. Arapahoe Ridge High School 56 C
28. Flatirons Elementary School 47 D
29. Boulder Prep Charter High School 53 C-
30. Mapleton Early Childhood Center 47 D

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best schools in BOULDER, CO?

The top-rated school in BOULDER is Boulder High School with a quality score of 33/100. There are 30 public schools in BOULDER with 13,104 total students.

How many schools are in BOULDER, CO?

BOULDER has 30 public schools with a total enrollment of 13,104 students. 3 are charter schools. Average student-teacher ratio: 15.9:1.

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Related Guides

Data from NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2022-23 and Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) 2021-22. Quality scores based on student-teacher ratio, counselor access, gifted programs, and attendance. Schools must have 5+ in the city to be listed.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD). Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.