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Ralston Elementary School

Public Grades K-5

26^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 946 Colorado Elementary Schools

Better than 97% of Colorado elementary schools

Summary

Ralston Elementary School is a K-5 school in Golden, CO, serving 289 students in the Jefferson County School District. The school is currently ranked 26th out of 943 Colorado elementary schools (97th percentile) and has earned a 5-star rating every year since at least 2015-16—a level of consistency that makes it one of the most reliably high-performing elementary schools in the state.

Ralston's academic results are dramatically above state averages. In 2025-26, 80.1% of students were proficient in English language arts (vs. 44.7% statewide) and 73.6% were proficient in math (vs. 37.3% statewide). Science is a particular standout: 80% of 5th graders were proficient, compared to 36.1% statewide—the highest among nearby schools, including Parmalee Elementary School (74.4%), Mitchell Elementary School (72.6%), and Bergen Elementary School (71.0%). Ralston also shows strong cumulative progress within grade levels—5th graders post higher scores than 3rd graders in both reading and math.

Attendance at Ralston is another major strength. Chronic absenteeism is just 7.2%, far below the statewide rate of 28.4% and comparable to other top performers like Kyffin Elementary School (7.5%) and Red Rocks Elementary School (7.8%). The school's free/reduced-lunch rate of 3.11% is well below nearby schools, and outcomes within the same district can vary dramatically: Foothills Elementary School, just 7.8 miles away, posts 34.9% ELA proficiency and 33.7% chronic absenteeism. Ralston's sustained top-3% rankings and strong results across gender subgroups point to a school doing an excellent job for the students it serves.

289

Students ?

17.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$18,181

Per pupil spending ?

3.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

25856 Columbine Glen
Golden, CO 80401-9616

(303) 982-4386

District: Jefferson County School District No. R-1

Students who attend Ralston Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Bell Middle School
High:	Golden High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

84.1%

Two or more races:

8.3%

Hispanic:

6.2%

See top rated Colorado elementary schools

Compare Ralston Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 93rd percentile in 2016 → 97th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Colorado average (77% vs 41% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 3% of Colorado elementary schools

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Jefferson County School District No. R-1

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school77%

District avg49%

Colorado avg41%

26^th of 946

Colorado public elementary schools ?

Top 3%▲ up 4 pts since 2016

From top 7% (2016) to top 3% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Colorado Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

3^rd of 84Elementary Schools in the Jefferson County School District No. R-1

24^th of 114Jefferson County School District No. 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)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	95.2	26 of 946	97.3%	★★★★★
2025	95.4	25 of 950	97.4%	★★★★★
2024	97.8	9 of 943	99.0%	★★★★★
2023	97.0	18 of 933	98.1%	★★★★★
2022	95.7	21 of 921	97.7%	★★★★★
2021	89.8	64 of 710	91.0%	★★★★★
2019	97.4	13 of 965	98.7%	★★★★★
2018	96.8	17 of 917	98.1%	★★★★★
2017	94.7	31 of 929	96.7%	★★★★★
2016	91.1	60 of 914	93.4%	★★★★★
2015	93.7	45 of 938	95.2%	★★★★★
2014	93.7	25 of 962	97.4%	★★★★★
2013	93.7	25 of 954	97.4%	★★★★★
2012	94.5	12 of 935	98.7%	★★★★★
2011	93.6	16 of 935	98.3%	★★★★★
2010	92.7	27 of 925	97.1%	★★★★★
2009	93.0	21 of 872	97.6%	★★★★★
2008	90.6	39 of 849	95.4%	★★★★★
2007	91.2	31 of 852	96.4%	★★★★★
2006	90.8	37 of 829	95.5%	★★★★★
2005	90.7	33 of 823	96.0%	★★★★★
2004	89.2	47 of 808	94.2%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	92.2	25 of 695	96.4%	★★★★★
2025	97.6	4 of 694	99.4%	★★★★★
2024	95.4	13 of 684	98.1%	★★★★★
2023	98.0	7 of 642	98.9%	★★★★★
2019	96.7	10 of 758	98.7%	★★★★★
2018	97.0	9 of 690	98.7%	★★★★★

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2018	71.1	18 of 84	78.6%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	93.1	27 of 697	96.1%	★★★★★
2025	82.6	103 of 700	85.3%	★★★★☆
2024	96.2	11 of 683	98.4%	★★★★★
2023	93.6	23 of 649	96.5%	★★★★★
2019	93.0	27 of 764	96.5%	★★★★★
2018	91.8	34 of 693	95.1%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	90.4	23 of 547	95.8%	★★★★★
2025	85.4	45 of 551	91.8%	★★★★★
2024	90.8	23 of 539	95.7%	★★★★★
2022	87.6	34 of 454	92.5%	★★★★★
2019	91.8	23 of 596	96.1%	★★★★★

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)

Female (2026)96th percentile~ school

Male (2026)96th percentile~ school

White (2026)96th percentile~ school

Gifted and Talented (2018)79th percentile-20 vs school

By subject vs Colorado (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts80%+35 vs state

Science80%+44 vs state

Math74%+36 vs state

1.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a parent
Sunday, October 9, 2016

Ralston may be a great school for your child if they fit inside the box. If they have special needs and no IEP, they will not get the help they need (and even with an IEP it's questionable). They simply don't know how, nor have the resources. Poor leadership over the past few years has resulted in many families leaving the school. Unfortunately, district leadership has supported this poor leadership. There are a few good teachers at Ralston, and its unfortunate they have pushed so many families away (with and without with special needs.) Close Quote

Schools Near Ralston 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
Ralston Elementary School	Public	K-5	25856 Columbine Glen	Golden	80401	Jefferson County	Jefferson County School District No. R-1	No	No	No	No	(303) 982-4386	289	17	17.1	3.1%	243 (84.1%)	1 (0.3%)	18 (6.2%)	3 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (8.3%)	95.2	26^th of 946 public elementary schools	97.3%		95.4	25^th of 950 public elementary schools	97.4%	1	77.6	76.2	87.0				80.1	64.9	73.8	84.4				73.6	80.0		$18,181
Bergen Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1422 Sugarbush Drive	Evergreen	80439	Jefferson County	Jefferson County School District No. R-1	No	No	No	No	(303) 982-4964	456	26	17.3	11.8%	411 (90.1%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (6.8%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	12 (2.6%)	91.2	59^th of 946 public elementary schools	93.8%		94.1	34^th of 950 public elementary schools	96.4%	25	76.7	80.3	84.4				80.3	64.4	53.5	70.3				62.5	71.0		$16,784
Shelton Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	420 Crawford Street	Golden	80401	Jefferson County	Jefferson County School District No. R-1	No	No	No	No	(303) 982-5686	394	28	14.2	36.8%	265 (67.3%)	3 (0.8%)	90 (22.8%)	17 (4.3%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (4.3%)	55.2	398^th of 946 public elementary schools	57.9%		68.9	277^th of 950 public elementary schools	70.8%	121	46.9	45.9	48.1				47.0	47.6	47.5	37.2				43.6	40.5		$17,852
Mitchell Elementary School	Public	K-5	200 Rubey Drive	Golden	80403	Jefferson County	Jefferson County School District No. R-1	No	No	No	No	(303) 982-5874	478	24	19.8	11.1%	403 (84.3%)	4 (0.8%)	34 (7.1%)	16 (3.3%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (4.2%)	92.1	54^th of 946 public elementary schools	94.3%		93.8	37^th of 950 public elementary schools	96.1%	17	71.2	71.3	86.9				76.6	61.6	66.7	69.0				66.0	72.6		$16,244
Rocky Mountain Academy of Evergreen	Public, Charter	K-8	2959 Royale Elk Way	Evergreen	80439	Jefferson County	Jefferson County School District No. R-1	Yes	No	No	No	(303) 670-1070	350	26	13.3		287 (82.0%)	1 (0.3%)	37 (10.6%)	4 (1.1%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (5.7%)	79.4	179^th of 946 public elementary schools	81.1%		78.1	198^th of 950 public elementary schools	79.2%	19	46.9	63.5	80.0	67.4	80.0	64.9	67.9	28.1	63.5	57.5	60.5	54.5	54.1	54.4	57.5	66.7	$11,497
Parmalee Elementary School	Public	K-5	4460 S Parmalee Gulch	Indian Hills	80454	Jefferson County	Jefferson County School District No. R-1	No	No	No	No	(303) 982-8014	278	17	16.2	11.5%	232 (83.5%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (7.2%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (8.6%)	97	16^th of 946 public elementary schools	98.3%		97.8	9^th of 950 public elementary schools	99.1%	7	78.3	95.9	88.4				87.7	67.3	86.0	83.7				78.9	74.4		$18,540
Free Horizon Montessori	Public	PK, KG-8	15920 W 10th Ave	Golden	80401	Jefferson County	Jefferson County School District No. R-1	No	No	No	No	(303) 982-5921	382	21	18.3	24.1%	285 (74.6%)	1 (0.3%)	64 (16.8%)	5 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (7.1%)	48.9	441^st of 946 public elementary schools	53.4%		46.4	475^th of 950 public elementary schools	50.0%	34	35.5	44.4	50.0				42.0	35.5	38.9	41.2				36.2	44.1		$17,299
Red Rocks Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	17199 Highway 74	Morrison	80465	Jefferson County	Jefferson County School District No. R-1	No	No	No	No	(303) 982-8063	292	16	18.3	8.6%	241 (82.5%)	1 (0.3%)	31 (10.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (6.5%)	85.6	125^th of 946 public elementary schools	86.8%		91.4	57^th of 950 public elementary schools	94.0%	68	57.5	83.9	73.7				73.1	62.5	73.2	57.9				65.7	42.1		$18,286
Wilmot Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5124 South Hatch Drive	Evergreen	80439	Jefferson County	Jefferson County School District No. R-1	No	No	No	No	(303) 982-5370	327	22	14.9	12.2%	293 (89.6%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (5.8%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (4.3%)	90.1	70^th of 946 public elementary schools	92.6%		84.3	127^th of 950 public elementary schools	86.6%	57	63.8	68.0	83.7				71.9	70.8	57.1	79.6				69.2	62.0		$18,106
Kyffin Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	205 North Flora Way	Golden	80401	Jefferson County	Jefferson County School District No. R-1	No	No	No	No	(303) 982-5760	503	29	17.5	10.5%	406 (80.7%)	1 (0.2%)	50 (9.9%)	14 (2.8%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (6.0%)	93.6	40^th of 946 public elementary schools	95.8%		95.3	28^th of 950 public elementary schools	97.1%	12	78.0	74.4	81.4				78.0	68.7	67.9	81.2				72.8	61.9		$17,291

Frequently Asked Questions about Ralston Elementary School

How many students attend Ralston Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 289 students attended Ralston Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Ralston Elementary School?

Students at Ralston Elementary School are 84% White, 8% Two or more races, 6% Hispanic, 1% Asian.

What district is Ralston Elementary School in?

Jefferson County School District No. R-1

Is Ralston Elementary School a good school?

Yes! Ralston Elementary School is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 26^th of 946 Colorado elementary schools.

What schools do graduates of Ralston Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Ralston Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Bell Middle School
High : Golden High School

Rate Ralston Elementary School!

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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.