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Copper Mesa Elementary School

Q: Is Copper Mesa Elementary School a good school?

Copper Mesa Elementary School ranks 218 th of 943 Colorado elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-6

218^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 943 Colorado Elementary Schools

Better than 77% of Colorado elementary schools

Summary

Copper Mesa Elementary School is a PK-6 school in Highlands Ranch, CO, serving 306 students in the Douglas County School District No. Re 1, a district ranked 6th in Colorado with a 5-star rating. The school holds a 4-star state ranking — 218th out of 943 Colorado elementary schools, placing it in the 77th percentile statewide. That is solid, above-average performance, but modest within an extremely strong district and an unusually high-performing cluster of nearby schools. It serves a low-poverty population (11.1% free/reduced lunch) with low chronic absenteeism (10.1%, vs. 28.4% statewide) and a favorable 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio.

Academically, the school trails its district on 2025-26 CMAS assessments: 59.6% proficient in ELA vs. 63.8%, 54.5% in math vs. 57.2%, and 44.4% in 5th-grade science vs. 55.0%. ELA is the clearest weakness — the lowest in its peer group, where the nearby-school average is roughly 74%. Gaps appear early: 3rd-grade ELA is 48.3% vs. the district's 57.6%, and 4th-grade ELA is 50.0% vs. 65.5%. Math also slipped, falling from 62.8% (above district) to 54.5% (below district), while science plummeted from 71.4% to 44.4% in a single year.

The comparison with Heritage Elementary School is striking: it is less than a mile away with nearly identical student profiles (10.1% free/reduced lunch vs. 11.1%, 14.4:1 ratio vs. 14.5:1), yet it ranks 28th in the state with scores of 77.1% ELA, 73.7% math, and 72.7% science. Nearby Platte River Charter Academy (18th), Redstone Elementary School (23rd), Bear Canyon Elementary School (44th), and Wildcat Mountain Elementary School (63rd) are all firmly in top-100 territory, while Copper Mesa is second-lowest among its 10 comparison schools, ahead of only Arrowwood Elementary School (209th). Copper Mesa's rank has slipped from the mid-80s percentile in recent years to 77th this year — its lowest since the pandemic — though the science decline may be amplified by small cohort sizes. Subgroup data shows meaningful variation (male students rank 84th percentile, female students 71st), and early elementary ELA and 5th-grade science are the most urgent areas for attention.

306

Students ?

14.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$21,640

Per pupil spending ?

11.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

3501 Poston Parkway
Highlands Ranch, CO 80126-8033

(303) 387-7375

District: Douglas County School District No. Re 1

Students who attend Copper Mesa Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Mountain Ridge Middle School
High:	Mountain Vista High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

72.9%

Hispanic:

12.1%

Two or more races:

8.8%

See top rated Colorado elementary schools

Compare Copper Mesa Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 74th percentile in 2016 → 77th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Colorado average (55% vs 41% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 23% of Colorado elementary schools

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school55%

District avg60%

Colorado avg41%

218^th of 943

Colorado public elementary schools ?

Top 23%▲ up 3 pts since 2016

From top 26% (2016) to top 23% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Colorado Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

36^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	74.9	218 of 943	76.9%	★★★★☆
2025	83.0	141 of 950	85.2%	★★★★☆
2024	82.5	147 of 943	84.4%	★★★★☆
2023	84.0	130 of 933	86.1%	★★★★☆
2022	84.8	108 of 921	88.3%	★★★★☆
2021	66.9	244 of 710	65.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	61.3	353 of 965	63.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	68.0	257 of 917	72.0%	★★★★☆
2017	75.8	204 of 929	78.0%	★★★★☆
2016	71.0	239 of 914	73.9%	★★★★☆
2015	79.9	163 of 938	82.6%	★★★★☆
2014	79.1	177 of 962	81.6%	★★★★☆
2013	80.1	164 of 954	82.8%	★★★★☆
2012	84.1	120 of 935	87.2%	★★★★☆
2011	77.6	191 of 935	79.6%	★★★★☆
2010	83.3	127 of 925	86.3%	★★★★☆
2009	80.1	152 of 872	82.6%	★★★★☆
2008	82.6	117 of 849	86.2%	★★★★☆
2007	82.5	111 of 852	87.0%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	68.0	204 of 692	70.5%	★★★★☆
2025	68.8	183 of 694	73.6%	★★★★☆
2024	73.7	150 of 684	78.1%	★★★★☆
2023	81.2	94 of 642	85.4%	★★★★☆
2022	78.3	105 of 595	82.4%	★★★★☆
2021	55.9	188 of 351	46.4%	★★☆☆☆
2019	52.0	332 of 758	56.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	59.7	242 of 690	64.9%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	81.7	109 of 694	84.3%	★★★★☆
2025	84.7	77 of 700	89.0%	★★★★☆
2024	78.2	130 of 683	81.0%	★★★★☆
2023	85.1	75 of 649	88.4%	★★★★☆
2022	74.3	139 of 594	76.6%	★★★★☆
2021	57.6	181 of 352	48.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	57.5	292 of 764	61.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	61.6	218 of 693	68.5%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	44.8	313 of 546	42.7%	★★☆☆☆
2025	61.2	200 of 551	63.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	65.4	184 of 539	65.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	63.2	183 of 525	65.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	74.0	100 of 454	78.0%	★★★★☆
2021	47.0	181 of 288	37.2%	★★☆☆☆
2019	37.4	377 of 596	36.7%	★★☆☆☆

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)

Male (2026)84th percentile+7 vs school

Female (2026)71st percentile-6 vs school

White (2026)43rd percentile-34 vs school

By subject vs Colorado (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts60%+15 vs state

Math55%+17 vs state

Science44%+8 vs state

5.0

3 ratings · 3 written reviews

5★3

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Tuesday, March 13, 2018

This is our first year at Copper Mesa and we couldn't be more pleased. The administration, staff, students, and parents are fantastic! Close Quote

by a parent
Sunday, December 2, 2012

My child is in Second Grade and has been going to Copper Mesa since Kindergarten. CME is a wonderful school with highly educated and supportive teachers. Luan Ezra is an excellent principal that always puts students first. My child has always been happy and challenged at Copper Mesa. This school has a wide range of technology, math, science, social studies, writing and reading resources that are always current. Copper Mesa is a second home to our family and we couldn't be happier. Close Quote

by a citizen
Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Outstanding school. Warm, welcoming, lots of opportunity for parent involvement. A real neighborhood school Close Quote

Schools Near Copper Mesa 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	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
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
Heritage Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	3350 Summit View Parkway	Highlands Ranch	80126	Douglas County	Douglas County School District No. Re 1	No	No	No	No	(303) 387-6725	377	26	14.4	10.1%	253 (67.1%)	3 (0.8%)	63 (16.7%)	28 (7.4%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (7.7%)	94.9	28^th of 943 public elementary schools	97.0%		95.9	19^th of 950 public elementary schools	98.0%	9	68.3	75.0	79.4	86.8			77.1	70.7	75.0	72.7	76.3			73.7	72.7		$19,000
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
Summit View Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	10200 South Piedmont Drive	Highlands Ranch	80126	Douglas County	Douglas County School District No. Re 1	No	No	No	No	(303) 387-6800	350	24	14.6	10.0%	239 (68.3%)	5 (1.4%)	55 (15.7%)	20 (5.7%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (8.3%)	81.9	161^st of 943 public elementary schools	82.9%		91.3	60^th of 950 public elementary schools	93.7%	101	53.5	73.5	66.7	73.6			66.9	53.5	67.6	45.7	54.5			55.1	54.3		$19,867
Redstone Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	9970 Glenstone Circle	Highlands Ranch	80130	Douglas County	Douglas County School District No. Re 1	No	No	No	No	(303) 387-7300	398	28	14.4	9.5%	262 (65.8%)	4 (1.0%)	50 (12.6%)	52 (13.1%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (7.3%)	95.6	23^rd of 943 public elementary schools	97.6%		95.4	27^th of 950 public elementary schools	97.2%	4	68.7	78.5	86.7				77.6	76.8	74.2	76.7				75.9	75.0		$18,971
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
Platte River Charter Academy	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	4085 Lark Sparrow St.	Highlands Ranch	80126	Douglas County	Douglas County School District No. Re 1	Yes	No	No	No	(303) 221-1070	475	34	14.1	4.0%	321 (67.6%)	6 (1.3%)	36 (7.6%)	61 (12.8%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	48 (10.1%)	96.4	18^th of 943 public elementary schools	98.1%		92.3	49^th of 950 public elementary schools	94.8%	31	80.8	90.0	78.8	66.0	81.6	83.0	80.0	86.3	90.0	84.6	66.0	68.0	78.7	79.0	76.9	70.2	$10,205
Bear Canyon Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	9660 Salford Lane	Highlands Ranch	80126	Douglas County	Douglas County School District No. Re 1	No	No	No	No	(303) 387-6475	368	23	16.0	12.8%	278 (75.5%)	0 (0.0%)	49 (13.3%)	15 (4.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (7.1%)	92.8	44^th of 943 public elementary schools	95.3%		94.7	32^nd of 950 public elementary schools	96.6%	12	64.4	76.1	89.7	82.9			77.8	84.4	60.9	73.8	58.5			69.5	61.5		$17,076
Cougar Run Elementary School	Public	K-6	8780 Venneford Ranch Road	Highlands Ranch	80126	Douglas County	Douglas County School District No. Re 1	No	No	No	No	(303) 387-6675	392	25	15.6	20.7%	269 (68.6%)	6 (1.5%)	71 (18.1%)	15 (3.8%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (7.7%)	88.3	89^th of 943 public elementary schools	90.6%		87.3	108^th of 950 public elementary schools	88.6%	19	66.7	68.6	88.1	75.6			74.1	64.7	68.6	50.0	56.1			60.5	59.5		$22,412
Saddle Ranch Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	805 West English Sparrow Trail	Highlands Ranch	80129	Douglas County	Douglas County School District No. Re 1	No	No	No	No	(303) 387-6400	355	23	15.1	10.1%	275 (77.5%)	3 (0.8%)	49 (13.8%)	15 (4.2%)	3 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (2.8%)	79.4	178^th of 943 public elementary schools	81.1%		78.9	190^th of 950 public elementary schools	80.0%	12	78.9	65.2	68.2	78.6			71.9	75.0	47.8	52.3	60.7			57.4	38.6		$18,991

Frequently Asked Questions about Copper Mesa Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Copper Mesa Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Copper Mesa Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Mountain Ridge Middle School
High : Mountain Vista High School

What is the racial makeup of Copper Mesa Elementary School?

Students at Copper Mesa Elementary School are 73% White, 12% Hispanic, 9% Two or more races, 6% Asian.

How many students attend Copper Mesa Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 306 students attended Copper Mesa Elementary School.

Is Copper Mesa Elementary School a good school?

Copper Mesa Elementary School ranks 218^th of 943 Colorado elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What district is Copper Mesa Elementary School in?

Douglas County School District No. Re 1

Rate Copper Mesa Elementary School!

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Latest Colorado data All new data »

2025–26 CMAS, PSAT10, PSAT9 & SAT test scoresNewAug 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.