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Mountain Sage Community School

Q: Is Mountain Sage Community School a good school?

Mountain Sage Community School ranks 380 th of 950 Colorado elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public, Charter Grades K-8

380^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 950 Colorado Elementary Schools

Better than 60% of Colorado elementary schools

Summary

Mountain Sage Community School is a public charter elementary and middle school serving 285 students in grades K-8 in Fort Collins, Colorado, which is part of the highly-ranked Poudre School District R-1. While the school has a relatively low student-teacher ratio, it generally performs below the district and state averages on standardized tests, with only 33.5% of students proficient or better in CMAS Math compared to 52.2% for the district and 35.9% for the state.

Additionally, Mountain Sage Community School has significantly higher chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 26.3% to 34.2% in recent years, which is notably higher than the district average of around 27.7%. The school's performance on CMAS tests has also been inconsistent over the years, with its ranking among Colorado elementary schools ranging from 282 to 612 between 2016-2017 and 2024-2025.

Despite being located in the same district as several higher-performing elementary schools, such as Kruse, Shepardson, and O'Dea, Mountain Sage Community School is not able to match their academic outcomes, suggesting the school may need to closely examine its instructional practices and support systems to better serve its students.

265

Students ?

15.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

$13,906

Per pupil spending ?

26%

Free/discounted lunch ?

2310 East Prospect Road Suite
Fort Collins, CO 80525

(970) 568-5456

District: Poudre School District R-1

Racial breakdown:

White:

81.5%

Two or more races:

9.1%

Hispanic:

5.7%

See top rated Colorado elementary schools

Compare Mountain Sage Community School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 34th percentile in 2015 → 60th in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Colorado average (46% vs 40% meeting standards)

✓Ranking is trending up — up 26 percentile points since 2015

✓Above the Colorado median (60th percentile)

Worth a look

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

!Near the bottom of Poudre School District R-1's ranking

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school46%

District avg56%

Colorado avg40%

Elementary school

380^th of 950

Colorado public elementary schools ?

Top 40%▲ up 26 pts since 2015

From bottom 34% (2015) to top 40% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Colorado Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

199^th of 469

Colorado public middle schools ?

Top 42%▼ down 19 pts since 2019

From top 24% (2019) to top 42% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Colorado Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

24^th of 30Elementary Schools in the Poudre School District R-1

14^th of 115Poudre School District R-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)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2025	58.0	380 of 950	60.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	45.9	481 of 943	49.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	66.4	282 of 933	69.8%	★★★★☆
2022	57.0	370 of 921	59.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	53.8	347 of 710	51.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	65.0	314 of 965	67.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	52.6	393 of 917	57.1%	★★★☆☆
2017	31.4	612 of 929	34.1%	★★☆☆☆
2016	40.3	508 of 914	44.4%	★★☆☆☆
2015	30.6	619 of 938	34.0%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2024	24.6	512 of 684	25.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	54.0	271 of 595	54.5%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2024	26.1	479 of 683	29.9%	★★☆☆☆
2022	47.3	307 of 594	48.3%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2023	46.8	283 of 525	46.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	40.4	298 of 454	34.4%	★★☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2025	50.3	199 of 469	57.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	69.0	129 of 485	73.4%	★★★★☆
2023	85.4	54 of 480	88.8%	★★★★☆
2022	85.0	47 of 448	89.5%	★★★★☆
2021	68.8	97 of 369	73.7%	★★★★☆
2019	70.6	108 of 458	76.4%	★★★★☆

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

White (2023)46th percentile-24 vs school

Male (2024)30th percentile-19 vs school

Female (2024)25th percentile-24 vs school

By subject vs Colorado (2024-2025) ?

Science57%+18 vs state

English Language Arts57%+12 vs state

Math34%~ state avg

5.0

7 ratings · 6 written reviews

5★7

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Sunday, February 1, 2026

Our daughter is in 3rd grade at Mountain Sage Community School and we are so happy that she gets to learn in such a special place! Mountain Sage has one of the only play-based Kindergartens in Fort Collins and the time they spend outside and in play, developing social-emotional skills, is invaluable. Academics are introduced when developmentally appropriate, not when the state deems it necessary, and yet all students are caught up or advanced by 3rd grade. The ability to learn when they're truly ready leads to a love of learning vs hating something they have to do before they're ready to. The arts and music curriculums are beautifully curated and go above and beyond any others I've seen locally. Their focus on sustainability (the children compost on-site from the start!) and their gardening program, including the incredible aquaponic geodesic dome on the playground, is one-of-a-kind. The staff is great, tuition is FREE, and they meet all state standards for learning. It's truly special! Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, May 13, 2021

We have been a part of the MSCS community for some time now, and even, no, especially after this crazy pandemic year, we remain happy to be a part of it. The depth of caring from the teachers is bar none and I have every confidence that next year, which will be a challenge for schools across the country, will be fantastic. We love it here. Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, May 13, 2021

My daughter has attended Mountain Sage for four years so far and she says everything about her school is the best! We are blessed to be a part of such a wonderful community. Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Our family has been involved with various private and public Waldorf schools thru the years, and Mountain Sage is a great balance of Waldorf education and "the real world". The teachers care about the work they do, there is something special and meaningful about have the same teacher 1-5 and then 6-8th grade that provides deep connection. We are so grateful for this wonderful community. Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, September 19, 2019

Mountain Sage Community School has been a great place for our kids. The staff and the teachers have always been enthusiastic, supportive, well prepared, and have done a great job with our kids. We love the focus on the whole person, and the lack of focus in the early grades on electronics. The school emphasizes creativity and a love of learning. The teachers are always trying to find ways to improve either through mentoring with peers or summer training we hear about, and they always seem to bring this great energy. The fact that you can get a Waldorf-inspired education without the cost a typical private Waldorf school is amazing. Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Amazing school! Close Quote

Schools Near Mountain Sage Community 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 (2025)				Ranking (2024)				CMAS English Language Arts (2025)						CMAS Math (2025)					CMAS Science (2025)	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 (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	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 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 All Grades	CMAS Science 5th Grade	Total
Mountain Sage Community School	Public, Charter	K-8	2310 East Prospect Road Suite	Fort Collins	80525	Larimer County	Poudre School District R-1	Yes	No	No	No	(970) 568-5456	265	17	15.9	26.0%	216 (81.5%)	1 (0.4%)	15 (5.7%)	8 (3.0%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (9.1%)	58	380^th of 950 public elementary schools	60.0%		45.9	481^st of 943 public elementary schools	49.0%	101	54.8		70.0	60.0	46.2	57.1	40.5	23.8	45.0	16.7	33.5	57.1	$13,906
Riffenburgh Elementary School	Public	K-5	1320 East Stuart Street	Fort Collins	80525	Larimer County	Poudre School District R-1	No	No	No	No	(970) 488-7935	443	30	14.7	34.5%	316 (71.3%)	10 (2.3%)	80 (18.1%)	8 (1.8%)	3 (0.7%)	3 (0.7%)	23 (5.2%)	77.6	205^th of 950 public elementary schools	78.4%		80.6	164^th of 943 public elementary schools	82.6%	41	68.2	71.4	62.5			66.9	65.9	50.8	51.2		56.4	40.5	$18,661
Laurel Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1000 East Locust Street	Fort Collins	80524	Larimer County	Poudre School District R-1	No	No	No	Yes	(970) 488-5925	412	30	13.8	54.6%	227 (55.1%)	8 (1.9%)	145 (35.2%)	4 (1.0%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (6.3%)	49.5	446^th of 950 public elementary schools	53.1%		34.1	569^th of 943 public elementary schools	39.7%	123	41.0	50.0	53.8			48.5	27.4	29.6	40.0		32.3	46.2	$20,328
Harris Bilingual Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	501 East Elizabeth	Fort Collins	80524	Larimer County	Poudre School District R-1	No	No	No	Yes	(970) 488-5200	311	22	13.8	61.1%	81 (26.0%)	0 (0.0%)	223 (71.7%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.3%)	55.6	402^nd of 950 public elementary schools	57.7%		61	353^rd of 943 public elementary schools	62.6%	49	56.7	42.2	43.5			46.3	38.8	41.3	43.5		41.1	50.0	$20,927
Shepardson Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1501 Springwood Drive	Fort Collins	80525	Larimer County	Poudre School District R-1	No	No	No	No	(970) 488-4525	414	30	13.9	24.2%	339 (81.9%)	3 (0.7%)	39 (9.4%)	11 (2.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (5.3%)	89.5	78^th of 950 public elementary schools	91.8%		85	122^nd of 943 public elementary schools	87.1%	44	62.9	81.4	76.8			73.7	67.7	59.3	62.3		63.2	65.2	$20,118
O'Dea Elementary School	Public	K-5	312 Princeton Road	Fort Collins	80525	Larimer County	Poudre School District R-1	No	No	No	No	(970) 488-4450	398	34	11.7	45.2%	273 (68.6%)	7 (1.8%)	77 (19.3%)	9 (2.3%)	3 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (7.3%)	84.2	128^th of 950 public elementary schools	86.5%		82.9	143^rd of 943 public elementary schools	84.8%	15	51.4	70.0	75.0			65.2	55.7	65.6	63.8		61.5	61.8	$22,724
Linton Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4100 Caribou Drive	Fort Collins	80525	Larimer County	Poudre School District R-1	No	No	No	Yes	(970) 488-5850	307	26	11.6	67.4%	124 (40.4%)	1 (0.3%)	161 (52.4%)	1 (0.3%)	4 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (5.2%)	22.4	702^nd of 950 public elementary schools	26.1%		28.2	634^th of 943 public elementary schools	32.8%	68	24.5	23.3	31.8			26.4	20.8	21.7	28.6		23.4	32.6	$21,151
Kruse Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4400 McMurry Avenue	Fort Collins	80525	Larimer County	Poudre School District R-1	No	No	No	No	(970) 488-5625	406	29	14.2	38.9%	266 (65.5%)	5 (1.2%)	101 (24.9%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	29 (7.1%)	88.5	90^th of 950 public elementary schools	90.5%		88.2	93^rd of 943 public elementary schools	90.1%	3	66.0	63.1	74.6			68.1	63.0	60.6	75.8		66.7	61.2	$18,522
Beattie Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3000 Meadowlark Avenue	Fort Collins	80526	Larimer County	Poudre School District R-1	No	No	No	No	(970) 488-4225	302	20	15.4	50.3%	186 (61.6%)	7 (2.3%)	73 (24.2%)	10 (3.3%)	5 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (7.0%)	67.4	296^th of 950 public elementary schools	68.8%		69.2	275^th of 943 public elementary schools	70.8%	21	60.5	42.9	58.3			53.7	46.5	42.9	48.6		45.9	59.5	$19,044
Dunn Elementary School	Public	K-5	501 South Washington	Fort Collins	80521	Larimer County	Poudre School District R-1	No	No	No	No	(970) 488-4825	392	27	14.4	30.6%	287 (73.2%)	18 (4.6%)	38 (9.7%)	27 (6.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (5.6%)	85.4	122^nd of 950 public elementary schools	87.2%		87.9	97^th of 943 public elementary schools	89.7%	25	57.1	59.7	83.8			67.4	59.4	49.2	67.2		58.8	82.4	$20,272

Frequently Asked Questions about Mountain Sage Community School

How many students attend Mountain Sage Community School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 265 students attended Mountain Sage Community School.

What is the racial makeup of Mountain Sage Community School?

Students at Mountain Sage Community School are 82% White, 9% Two or more races, 6% Hispanic, 3% Asian.

Is Mountain Sage Community School a good school?

Mountain Sage Community School ranks 380^th of 950 Colorado elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is Mountain Sage Community School in?

Poudre School District R-1

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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.