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Buffalo Ridge Elementary School

Public Grades PK, KG-5

45^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 943 Colorado Elementary Schools

Better than 95% of Colorado elementary schools

Summary

Buffalo Ridge Elementary School is a PK–5 elementary school in Castle Rock, CO, serving 524 students within the Douglas County School District. The school currently holds a 5-star rating and ranks 45th among 943 Colorado elementary schools — the 95th percentile and its strongest statewide position in over a decade. On 2025–26 CMAS assessments, Buffalo Ridge students posted proficiency rates of 73.6% in English language arts, 72.7% in math, and 63.7% in 5th-grade science, all well above district and state averages.

Academically, the school is strong across grade levels, with 4th-grade ELA (80.3% proficient) and 3rd-grade math (74.4%) as standout results. Math has become a major strength, climbing from 61.4% proficiency in 2022–23 to 72.7% today and essentially closing the gap with reading. The school also achieves excellent outcomes for its Hispanic students — ranking in the top 1% statewide — and for male, female, and white students, all of whom rank in the 91st–94th percentile among Colorado schools. The clearest area for improvement is Gifted and Talented students, who have received a 2-star rating for three consecutive years, indicating the school may not stretch that group as much as other top elementary schools do.

Buffalo Ridge belongs to an exceptionally strong corridor of nearby schools. Timber Trail Elementary School ranks just ahead (33rd) and slightly edges out Buffalo Ridge in ELA and math, while American Academy trails Buffalo Ridge in both subjects. Redstone Elementary School is the only other nearby school ranked higher. Chronic absenteeism is 13.3% — below the district rate of 16.6% and state rate of 28.4% — but noticeably higher than peers like Timber Trail (5.8%) and American Academy (6.3%), making attendance a sensible focus for families considering their options. With an improved student-teacher ratio of 16.3 and a decade-long upward trajectory, Buffalo Ridge Elementary School is a compelling choice for elementary families.

524

Students ?

16.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,227

Per pupil spending ?

13.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

7075 North Shoreham Drive
Castle Rock, CO 80108-8244

(303) 387-5575

District: Douglas County School District No. Re 1

Students who attend Buffalo Ridge Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Rocky Heights Middle School
High:	Rock Canyon High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

69.1%

Hispanic:

16.6%

Two or more races:

7.1%

See top rated Colorado elementary schools

Compare Buffalo Ridge Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 80th percentile in 2016 → 95th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Colorado average (72% vs 41% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 5% of Colorado elementary schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 15 percentile points since 2016

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school72%

District avg60%

Colorado avg41%

45^th of 943

Colorado public elementary schools ?

Top 5%▲ up 15 pts since 2016

From top 20% (2016) to top 5% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Colorado Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

13^th of 58Elementary Schools in the Douglas County School District No. Re 1

6^th of 115Douglas County School District No. Re 1 among Colorado districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	92.8	45 of 943	95.2%	★★★★★
2025	90.8	67 of 950	92.9%	★★★★★
2024	88.0	95 of 943	89.9%	★★★★★
2023	87.7	94 of 933	89.9%	★★★★★
2022	87.9	91 of 921	90.1%	★★★★★
2021	89.6	65 of 710	90.8%	★★★★★
2019	89.9	71 of 965	92.6%	★★★★★
2018	84.4	129 of 917	85.9%	★★★★☆
2017	77.7	185 of 929	80.1%	★★★★☆
2016	76.4	180 of 914	80.3%	★★★★☆
2015	85.8	113 of 938	88.0%	★★★★☆
2014	90.1	52 of 962	94.6%	★★★★★
2013	88.7	68 of 954	92.9%	★★★★★
2012	90.2	57 of 935	93.9%	★★★★★
2011	87.6	81 of 935	91.3%	★★★★★
2010	88.1	77 of 925	91.7%	★★★★★
2009	86.2	80 of 872	90.8%	★★★★★
2008	85.6	87 of 849	89.8%	★★★★☆
2007	79.5	141 of 852	83.5%	★★★★☆
2006	81.9	112 of 829	86.5%	★★★★☆
2005	79.8	137 of 823	83.4%	★★★★☆
2004	86.2	81 of 808	90.0%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	87.6	59 of 692	91.5%	★★★★★
2025	89.4	48 of 694	93.1%	★★★★★
2024	81.5	100 of 684	85.4%	★★★★☆
2023	87.3	55 of 642	91.4%	★★★★★
2022	86.8	54 of 595	90.9%	★★★★★
2021	86.6	46 of 351	86.9%	★★★★☆
2019	83.6	90 of 758	88.1%	★★★★☆
2018	77.6	121 of 690	82.5%	★★★★☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	54.2	72 of 120	40.0%	★★☆☆☆
2025	48.9	82 of 119	31.1%	★★☆☆☆
2024	55.8	52 of 91	42.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	82.1	1 of 82	98.8%	★★★★★
2019	68.4	29 of 110	73.6%	★★★★☆
2018	38.2	68 of 84	19.0%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	99.6	3 of 249	98.8%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	89.8	45 of 694	93.5%	★★★★★
2025	81.7	110 of 700	84.3%	★★★★☆
2024	84.9	78 of 683	88.6%	★★★★☆
2023	75.9	136 of 649	79.0%	★★★★☆
2022	75.6	123 of 594	79.3%	★★★★☆
2021	80.0	75 of 352	78.7%	★★★★☆
2019	88.0	63 of 764	91.8%	★★★★★
2018	79.3	121 of 693	82.5%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	83.8	46 of 546	91.6%	★★★★★
2025	81.3	64 of 551	88.4%	★★★★☆
2024	73.2	112 of 539	79.2%	★★★★☆
2023	69.5	141 of 525	73.1%	★★★★☆
2022	71.2	115 of 454	74.7%	★★★★☆
2021	76.9	63 of 288	78.1%	★★★★☆
2019	78.3	88 of 596	85.2%	★★★★☆

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)

Hispanic (2026)99th percentile+4 vs school

Male (2026)94th percentile~ school

White (2026)92nd percentile-4 vs school

Female (2026)91st percentile-4 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2026)40th percentile-55 vs school

By subject vs Colorado (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts74%+29 vs state

Math73%+35 vs state

Science64%+28 vs state

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a parent
Saturday, January 24, 2009

Buffalo Ridge is an incredible school! Close Quote

Schools Near Buffalo Ridge Elementary School

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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 (2026)				Ranking (2025)				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/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	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	Total
Buffalo Ridge Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	7075 North Shoreham Drive	Castle Rock	80108	Douglas County	Douglas County School District No. Re 1	No	No	No	No	(303) 387-5575	524	32	16.3	13.2%	362 (69.1%)	7 (1.3%)	87 (16.6%)	30 (5.7%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (7.1%)	92.8	45^th of 943 public elementary schools	95.2%		90.8	67^th of 950 public elementary schools	92.9%	22	67.5	80.3	73.1				73.6	74.4	75.9	68.5				72.7	63.7		$17,227
American Academy	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	6971 Mira Vista Lane	Castle Pines	80108	Douglas County	Douglas County School District No. Re 1	Yes	No	No	No	(720) 292-5200	2,803	158	17.7	6.4%	1,689 (60.3%)	21 (0.7%)	229 (8.2%)	667 (23.8%)	20 (0.7%)	3 (0.1%)	174 (6.2%)	88.6	85^th of 943 public elementary schools	91.0%		87.9	103^rd of 950 public elementary schools	89.2%	18	54.6	72.8	72.1	72.4	84.0	78.5	71.5	62.5	70.1	64.2	58.2	69.1	68.2	65.3	69.7	61.3	$13,412
Timber Trail Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	690 West Castle Pines Parkway	Castle Rock	80108	Douglas County	Douglas County School District No. Re 1	No	No	No	No	(303) 387-5700	380	24	16.1	6.3%	280 (73.7%)	4 (1.1%)	37 (9.7%)	31 (8.2%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (7.1%)	94.2	33^rd of 943 public elementary schools	96.5%		95.5	22^nd of 950 public elementary schools	97.7%	11	71.7	72.7	87.5				78.4	81.1	69.7	75.0				74.9	63.2		$18,821
DC Montessori Charter School	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	311 East Castle Pines Parkway	Castle Rock	80108	Douglas County	Douglas County School District No. Re 1	Yes	No	No	No	(720) 531-3311	547	29	19.1	9.7%	372 (68.0%)	1 (0.2%)	83 (15.2%)	35 (6.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	55 (10.1%)	57.3	381^st of 943 public elementary schools	59.6%		67.8	291^st of 950 public elementary schools	69.4%	90	46.8	57.1	50.0	69.4			57.6	40.4	36.7	34.0	41.7			40.2	40.0		$13,008
Meadow View Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	3700 Butterfield Crossing	Castle Rock	80109	Douglas County	Douglas County School District No. Re 1	No	No	No	No	(303) 387-5425	508	28	18.1	25.6%	375 (73.8%)	5 (1.0%)	80 (15.7%)	13 (2.6%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (6.3%)	67.8	284^th of 943 public elementary schools	69.9%		63.6	329^th of 950 public elementary schools	65.4%	45	43.2	60.3	49.3	67.2			54.5	45.9	60.3	47.8	49.3			50.4	41.2		$18,091
Wildcat Mountain Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	6585 Lionshead Parkway	Littleton	80124	Douglas County	Douglas County School District No. Re 1	No	No	No	No	(303) 387-6925	423	29	14.8	15.6%	292 (69.0%)	6 (1.4%)	56 (13.2%)	31 (7.3%)	1 (0.2%)	3 (0.7%)	34 (8.0%)	90.8	63^rd of 943 public elementary schools	93.3%		90.9	65^th of 950 public elementary schools	93.2%	2	60.4	83.6	87.2				78.8	69.0	74.3	71.1				71.6	50.6		$19,540
Sedalia Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	5449 North Huxtable Street	Sedalia	80135	Douglas County	Douglas County School District No. Re 1	No	No	No	Yes	(303) 387-5500	212	20	10.8	58.5%	108 (50.9%)	4 (1.9%)	81 (38.2%)	1 (0.5%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (8.0%)	39.2	520^th of 943 public elementary schools	44.9%		39.8	527^th of 950 public elementary schools	44.5%	7		37.9		34.8			38.0			36.0				28.3	33.3		$24,633
Copper Mesa Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	3501 Poston Parkway	Highlands Ranch	80126	Douglas County	Douglas County School District No. Re 1	No	No	No	No	(303) 387-7375	306	21	14.5	11.1%	223 (72.9%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (12.1%)	18 (5.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	27 (8.8%)	74.9	218^th of 943 public elementary schools	76.9%		83	141^st of 950 public elementary schools	85.2%	77	48.3	50.0	71.1	64.3			59.6	48.3	57.5	53.3	57.1			54.5	44.4		$21,640
Renaissance Expedition Learn Outward Bound School	Public, Magnet	K-6	3960 Trailboss Lane	Castle Rock	80104	Douglas County	Douglas County School District No. Re 1	No	Yes	No	No	(303) 387-8000	361	22	16.6	6.1%	297 (82.3%)	5 (1.4%)	29 (8.0%)	4 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (7.2%)	62.6	329^th of 943 public elementary schools	65.1%		68.4	284^th of 950 public elementary schools	70.1%	45	55.8	43.8	60.8	83.3			57.7	51.9	29.2	37.3	66.7			43.4	43.1		$17,982
Arrowwood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	10345 Arrowwood Drive	Highlands Ranch	80130	Douglas County	Douglas County School District No. Re 1	No	No	No	No	(303) 387-6875	390	25	15.8	22.3%	248 (63.6%)	7 (1.8%)	80 (20.5%)	23 (5.9%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (7.9%)	76	209^th of 943 public elementary schools	77.8%		68.8	279^th of 950 public elementary schools	70.6%	70	58.5	63.2	71.8	62.2			63.8	56.1	76.3	56.4	40.0			56.4	30.8		$18,608

Frequently Asked Questions about Buffalo Ridge Elementary School

How many students attend Buffalo Ridge Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 524 students attended Buffalo Ridge Elementary School.

What schools do graduates of Buffalo Ridge Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Buffalo Ridge Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Rocky Heights Middle School
High : Rock Canyon High School

Is Buffalo Ridge Elementary School a good school?

Yes! Buffalo Ridge Elementary School is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 45^th of 943 Colorado elementary schools.

What is the racial makeup of Buffalo Ridge Elementary School?

Students at Buffalo Ridge Elementary School are 69% White, 17% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races, 6% Asian, 1% African American.

What district is Buffalo Ridge Elementary School in?

Douglas County School District No. Re 1

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Latest Colorado data All new data »

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

2024–25 attendance dataAug 27, 2025

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.