Summary:
Zip code 80126 in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, contains 11 schools serving roughly 7,400 students across elementary, middle, and high school levels, all part of the highly rated Douglas County School District No. Re 1. This is an exceptionally strong school community, with every school outperforming state averages in most subjects and most schools exceeding district averages as well.
The clear academic leader is Platte River Charter Academy, a PK-8 charter school ranked 18th statewide with 80% ELA and 79% math proficiency, along with the lowest free/reduced lunch rate in the area. Close behind are Heritage Elementary School (97th percentile) and Bear Canyon Elementary School (95th percentile), both consistent top performers with very low chronic absenteeism. For secondary schools, Mountain Vista High School is the top high school in the zip with a 96.5% graduation rate and notably strong science scores, while Mountain Ridge Middle School is the sole middle school and ranks in the 92nd percentile statewide. Other solid elementary options include Northridge Elementary School and Cougar Run Elementary School, both above district averages.
The most consistent challenge across all grade levels is math proficiency, which trails literacy by 10-28 percentage points, especially at the high schools. Chronic absenteeism also rises sharply from 11.3% at elementaries to 18.8% at middle school and over 20% at both high schools, despite otherwise strong academics. Science results vary widely, with Mountain Vista High School jumping to 63.4% proficiency while Highlands Ranch High School sits at 48.5%. While schools like Summit View Elementary School and Sand Creek Elementary School have shown declining rankings, the overall zip code remains one of the strongest and most reliable school communities in Colorado.
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