Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Thomas MacLaren School

Q: Is Thomas MacLaren School a good school?

Thomas MacLaren School ranks 382 nd of 946 Colorado alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public, Charter, Alternative Grades K-12

382^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 946 Colorado Alternative Schools

Better than 60% of Colorado alternative schools

Summary

Thomas MacLaren State Charter School is a K-12 alternative charter school in Colorado Springs, CO, serving 975 students within the Colorado Springs School District No. 11. Despite sitting in a district that ranks in the middle-to-lower tier statewide, the school posts academic results that stand out dramatically from its surroundings. With a student-teacher ratio of 12.7 to 1 — lower than nearby alternatives like Merit Academy (13.6), Liberty Tree Academy (14.8), and Banning Lewis Ranch Academy (14.6) — MacLaren offers a level of individualized attention that likely supports its strong outcomes. About 41.5% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, yet the school outperforms many peers that serve more affluent populations.

The school's signature strength is math. On state CMAS tests, 44.2% of MacLaren students score proficient, above the state average of 37.3% and well ahead of nearby options such as Liberty Tree Academy (32.0%) and The Haven School (17.3%). Elementary math is especially strong, with 3rd grade at 58.8% and 4th grade at 62.8%, both far above state averages. College readiness results are even more striking: 90% of 11th graders meet the SAT Reading/Writing benchmark and 66% meet the SAT Math benchmark, compared to just 60% and 32% statewide. In 11th grade science, MacLaren's 58.1% proficiency rate is more than double the state's 24.8% and far exceeds nearby Merit Academy (22.2%). Compared to Merit Academy, MacLaren posts far superior math scores, while outpacing Banning Lewis Ranch Academy by roughly 20 points in SAT Reading/Writing and 38 points in SAT Math.

There is one thing to watch: a dip in the middle grades. Fifth grade is the weakest year, with ELA at 36.8% and math at 34.3%, both below state averages, and 7th grade math drops to 24.7%. However, the school rebounds sharply in 8th grade, where math reaches 48.5%, and then excels through high school. For parents, the bottom line is that Thomas MacLaren State Charter School delivers impressive academic value, particularly in math, science, and college readiness — far surpassing what its district ranking or demographic profile would suggest.

975

Students ?

12.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$13,792

Per pupil spending ?

41.5%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in Colorado receive free school meals.

1702 N Murray Blvd
Colorado Springs, CO 80915

(719) 313-4488

District: Colorado Springs School District No. 11

Racial breakdown:

White:

60.8%

Hispanic:

23.7%

Two or more races:

9.8%

See top rated Colorado elementary schools

Compare Thomas MacLaren School to nearby alternative schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 60th percentile in 2026 → 97th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Colorado average (53% vs 43% meeting standards)

✓Ranking is trending up — up 37 percentile points since 2026

✓Above the Colorado median (60th percentile)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school53%

District avg35%

Colorado avg43%

Elementary school

382^nd of 946

Colorado public elementary schools ?

Top 40%

See the entire ranking list of Colorado Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

176^th of 476

Colorado public middle schools ?

Top 37%

See the entire ranking list of Colorado Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

10^th of 340

Colorado public high schools ?

Top 3%

See the entire ranking list of Colorado High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 2Alternative Schools in the Colorado Springs School District No. 11

66^th of 114Colorado Springs School District No. 11 among Colorado districts

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

Hispanic (2026)69th percentile+10 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)67th percentile+7 vs school

Female (2026)60th percentile~ school

Male (2026)46th percentile-13 vs school

White (2026)39th percentile-20 vs school

Middle school

Female (2026)62nd percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)55th percentile-8 vs school

Male (2026)48th percentile-15 vs school

White (2026)40th percentile-23 vs school

High school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)98th percentile~ school

Female (2026)98th percentile~ school

Male (2026)96th percentile~ school

Hispanic (2026)96th percentile~ school

White (2026)95th percentile~ school

By subject vs Colorado (2025-2026) ?

Reading and Writing91%+26 vs state

Mathematics77%+37 vs state

English Language Arts45%~ state avg

Math44%+7 vs state

Science42%+9 vs state

4.0

1 rating

5★0

4★1

3★0

2★0

1★0

Rate Thomas MacLaren School

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

Reviews

No written reviews yet. If you know this school, be the first to share what stands out.

Schools Near Thomas MacLaren School

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking ()				Ranking ()				PSAT10 Reading and Writing (2026)	PSAT10 Mathematics (2026)	PSAT9 Reading and Writing (2026)	PSAT9 Mathematics (2026)	SAT Reading and Writing (2026)	SAT Mathematics (2026)	CMAS English Language Arts (2026)							CMAS Math (2026)							CMAS Science (2026)			Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	Rank Change from Previous Year	PSAT10 Reading and Writing 10th Grade	PSAT10 Mathematics 10th Grade	PSAT9 Reading and Writing 9th Grade	PSAT9 Mathematics 9th Grade	SAT Reading and Writing 11th Grade	SAT Mathematics 11th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 3rd Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 4th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 5th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 6th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 7th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 8th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts All Grades	CMAS Math 3rd Grade	CMAS Math 4th Grade	CMAS Math 5th Grade	CMAS Math 6th Grade	CMAS Math 7th Grade	CMAS Math 8th Grade	CMAS Math All Grades	CMAS Science 5th Grade	CMAS Science 8th Grade	CMAS Science 11th Grade	Total
Thomas MacLaren School	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	1702 N Murray Blvd	Colorado Springs	80915	El Paso County	Colorado Springs School District No. 11	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(719) 313-4488	975	76	12.7	41.5%	593 (60.8%)	26 (2.7%)	231 (23.7%)	22 (2.3%)	6 (0.6%)	1 (0.1%)	96 (9.8%)								(n/a)	92.6	79.6	91.2	77.2	89.5	65.8	45.6	46.5	36.8	51.4	46.2	40.9	44.7	58.8	62.8	34.3	34.3	24.7	48.5	44.2	34.3	43.3	58.1	$13,792
Colorado Military Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	PK, KG-12	360 Command View	Colorado Springs	80915	El Paso County	Colorado Springs School District No. 11	Yes	(n/a)	(n/a)	(n/a)	(719) 576-9838	0			—	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)	61.3	421.0	80.6	29.0	50.0	447.0	27.9	18.4	16.7	25.0	40.0	18.9	25.1	37.2	35.4	19.4	10.7	722.0	701.0	18.9	19.4	715.0	735.0
Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	33 N. Institute St.	Colorado Springs	80903	El Paso County	Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind	No	No	No	Yes	(719) 578-2100	167	31	5.4	61.7%	69 (41.3%)	15 (9.0%)	61 (36.5%)	12 (7.2%)	2 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (4.8%)								(n/a)													687.0						687.0	693.0				$00
Colorado Early Colleges Colorado Springs	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	4405 North Chestnut St Suite D	Colorado Springs	80907	El Paso County	State Charter School Institute	Yes	No	No	No	(719) 955-4675	677	48	14.0	39.0%	404 (59.7%)	31 (4.6%)	151 (22.3%)	14 (2.1%)	8 (1.2%)	1 (0.1%)	68 (10.0%)								(n/a)	76.1	51.1	80.3	52.5	72.0	30.1				29.3	32.4	45.7	35.5				25.0	31.4	31.6	29.2		36.8	33.3	$10,963
Zebulon Pike Youth Services Center	Public, Alternative	4-12	1427 West Rio Grande	Colorado Springs	80906	El Paso County	Cheyenne Mountain School District No. 12	No	No	No	No	(719) 390-2766	24	7	3.4	87.5%	7 (29.2%)	6 (25.0%)	11 (45.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)																								$00
The Haven School	Public, Virtual, Alternative	K-12	930 Leta Dr	Colorado Springs	80911	El Paso County	School District No. 3	No	No	Yes	No	(719) 391-3080	240	15	16.4	45.0%	106 (44.2%)	16 (6.7%)	86 (35.8%)	3 (1.3%)	1 (0.4%)	2 (0.8%)	26 (10.8%)								(n/a)	474.0	400.0	462.0	402.0	459.0	413.0					740.0	721.0	31.6					727.0	711.0	17.3		725.0	728.0	$6,427
Banning Lewis Ranch Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	7094 Cottonwood Tree Drive	Colorado Springs	80927	El Paso County	El Paso County Colorado School District 49	Yes	No	No	No	(719) 570-0075	1,697	116	14.6	15.5%	949 (55.9%)	85 (5.0%)	406 (23.9%)	61 (3.6%)	6 (0.4%)	7 (0.4%)	183 (10.8%)								(n/a)	69.7	36.1	77.9	37.9	70.1	28.2	51.3	47.5	55.8	30.8	52.1	41.7	46.5	40.9	36.4	43.0	29.8	26.4	33.3	35.0	43.4	38.2	28.7	$12,384
Liberty Tree Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	8579 Eastonville Road	Falcon	80831	El Paso County	El Paso County Colorado School District 49	Yes	No	No	No	(719) 338-6470	602	41	14.8	28.1%	402 (66.8%)	27 (4.5%)	116 (19.3%)	9 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	48 (8.0%)								(n/a)	77.8	40.7	80.0	441.0	80.0	505.0	54.1	30.0	35.9	48.8	54.0	46.0	45.2	40.5	732.0	727.0	32.6	38.0	32.0	32.0	25.6	22.0	746.0	$11,931
Education reEnvisioned School	Public, Alternative	K-12	430 Beacon Lite Road Suite 150	Monument	80132	El Paso County	Education Reenvisioned BOCES	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(719) 963-9824	59	24	2.4	—	42 (71.2%)	1 (1.7%)	15 (25.4%)	1 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)																								$5,740
Peyton Online Academy	Public, Virtual, Alternative	K-12	18320 Main Street	Peyton	80831	El Paso County	Peyton School District No. 23	No	No	Yes	No	(719) 749-2330	28	2	14.0	—	21 (75.0%)	1 (3.6%)	5 (17.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (3.6%)								(n/a)																								$11,913

Frequently Asked Questions about Thomas MacLaren School

Is Thomas MacLaren School a good school?

Thomas MacLaren School ranks 382^nd of 946 Colorado alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Thomas MacLaren School?

Students at Thomas MacLaren School are 61% White, 24% Hispanic, 10% Two or more races, 3% African American, 2% Asian.

What district is Thomas MacLaren School in?

Colorado Springs School District No. 11

How many students attend Thomas MacLaren School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 975 students attended Thomas MacLaren School.

Rate Thomas MacLaren School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

COColorado Alternative School Rankings

COColorado District Rankings

Schools in Colorado Springs, CO

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Thomas MacLaren School!

Latest Colorado data All new data »

2025–26 attendance dataNewOct 6, 2026

2025–26 CMAS, PSAT10, PSAT9 & SAT test scoresAug 19, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataJun 13, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJan 13, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Colorado Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.