Summary:
Platte Canyon School District No. 1 is a small Colorado district serving 688 students across three schools – Deer Creek Elementary School (PK–5), Fitzsimmons Middle School (6–8), and Platte Canyon High School (9–12) – with a moderately diverse economic mix and a 4-star district rating.
Fitzsimmons Middle School is the academic standout, ranking in the 80th percentile statewide with the district’s lowest student–teacher ratio (9.1:1) and top proficiency rates: 68.8% in ELA and 47.2% in math, both well above state averages. Its 7th grade is exceptional, with math proficiency of 72.2% versus 31.8% statewide. Deer Creek Elementary School is a rising star, improving its state ranking to the 68th percentile, with strong 4th grade ELA (63%) and 5th grade science (51.9%). Platte Canyon High School boasts a 90.9% graduation rate, but its SAT scores fell sharply in 2025–2026 – reading/writing dropped from 75% to 59% and math from 39% to 29% – while chronic absenteeism reached 26.3%, the highest in the district.
Across the district, ELA consistently outperforms math at every level, and chronic absenteeism rises with grade level (16.1% elementary, 19.7% middle, 26.3% high). The high school’s score volatility may reflect small class sizes, while its PSAT10 scores actually improved. A data anomaly to note: Platte Canyon High School includes some 6th–8th grade CMAS results, so comparisons between schools should be made cautiously. Overall, this district beats state averages in most subjects, with the biggest opportunities being high school math and attendance.
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