The ranking below is based on the percentage of schools within a county which have placed in the top 10% of all schools statewide.
A school's overall rank is based on its combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking. Schools are ranked and compared within their own state only.
Statewide Range: 22%
32%
Avg. Statewide: 27%
Top-Ranked Counties With Best Public Schools in Colorado (2026-27)
County
% of Schools in
Top 10% Statewide
Top 10% Statewide
Top-Ranked Schools
(Math Proficiency % | Reading Proficiency %)
(Math Proficiency % | Reading Proficiency %)
Rank: #11.
32%
(28 out of 87)
(28 out of 87)
- Summit Middle Charter School
Rank: #4 of 1,748 (Top 1%)
(Math: 88% | Reading: 91%) - High Peaks Elementary School
Rank: #8 of 1,748 (Top 1%)
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89%) - Bear Creek Elementary School
Rank: #11 of 1,748 (Top 1%)
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Boulder County, CO Schools
Rank: #22.
31%
(4 out of 13)
(4 out of 13)
- Steamboat Springs High School
Rank: #127 of 1,748 (Top 10%)
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 70-74%) - North Routt Community Charter School
Rank: #143 of 1,748 (Top 10%)
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 70-79%) - Steamboat Springs Middle School
Rank: #157 of 1,748 (Top 10%)
(Math: 52% | Reading: 75%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Routt County, CO Schools
Rank: #33.
25%
(23 out of 93)
(23 out of 93)
- Parker Core Knowledge
Rank: #6 of 1,748 (Top 1%)
(Math: 83% | Reading: 90%) - Heritage Elementary School
Rank: #21 of 1,748 (Top 5%)
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80%) - Stone Mountain Elementary School
Rank: #23 of 1,748 (Top 5%)
(Math: 79% | Reading: 79%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Douglas County, CO Schools
Rank: #44.
22%
(4 out of 18)
(4 out of 18)
Recent Articles
What Makes an Elementary School Feel Supportive?
Discover what makes one elementary school more supportive than another, from teacher relationships and family communication to classroom attention, belonging, student services, leadership, routines, and responsive academic support systems.
Second School Tour: Questions Parents Forget to Ask
A second school tour can reveal what families miss initially. Learn which questions to ask about teachers, support, schedules, safety, communication, programs, and everyday student life before enrolling.
Attendance Policies Are Changing: Parent Guide 2026
Attendance policies are changing across public schools. Learn what parents should examine about absences, tardiness, interventions, flexibility, communication, and student support before choosing a school for their child today.