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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Golden Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 18 public schools serving 8,334 students in Golden, CO (there are 3 private schools, serving 252 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Golden, CO are educated in public schools (compared to the CO state average of 92%). Golden has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Colorado.
The top-ranked public schools in Golden, CO are Kyffin Elementary School, Ralston Elementary School and Mitchell Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Golden, CO public schools have an average math proficiency score of 51% (versus the Colorado public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 62% (versus the 45% statewide average). Schools in Golden have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of Colorado public schools.
Minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Colorado public school average of 51% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Golden, CO (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Kyffin Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
205 North Flora Way
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-5760
Gr: PK-5 | 503 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #22.
Ralston Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
25856 Columbine Glen
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-4386
Gr: K-5 | 289 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #33.
Mitchell Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
200 Rubey Drive
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 982-5874
Gr: K-5 | 478 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #44.
Manning Options School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
13200 West 32nd Place
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-6340
Gr: 6-8 | 685 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #55.
Golden View Classical Academy
Charter School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
601 Corporate Circle
Golden, CO 80401
(720) 598-6700
Gr: K-12 | 737 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #66.
Fairmount Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
15975 West 50th Avenue
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 982-5422
Gr: K-5 | 601 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #77.
Golden High School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
701 24th Street
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-4200
Gr: 9-12 | 1,469 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #88.
Maple Grove Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3085 Alkire Street
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-5808
Gr: PK-5 | 390 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #99.
Jefferson Academy Coal Creek Canyon
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
11719 Ranch Elsie Road
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 982-3409
Gr: PK-8 | 59 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1010.
Gilpin County Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
10595 Highway 119
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 582-3444
Gr: PK-5 | 192 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #1111.
Lookout Mountain
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2901 Ford Street
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 273-2600
Gr: 5-12
Rank: #1212.
Shelton Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
420 Crawford Street
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-5686
Gr: PK-5 | 394 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1313.
Gilpin County Undivided High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
10595 Highway 119
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 582-3444
Gr: 6-12 | 200 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1414.
Bell Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1001 Ulysses Street
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-4280
Gr: 6-8 | 774 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #1515.
Free Horizon Montessori
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
15920 W 10th Ave
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-5921
Gr: PK-8 | 382 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1616.
Compass Montessori - Golden Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
4441 Salvia Street
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 271-1977
Gr: PK-12 | 425 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1717.
Welchester Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
13000 West 10th Avenue
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-7342
Gr: PK-5 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1818.
Connections Learning Center On The Earle Johnson Campus
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1200 Johnson Road
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-7004
Gr: 6-9 | 22 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 68%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Golden, CO?
How many public schools are located in Golden?
19 public schools are located in Golden.
What percentage of students in Golden go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Golden are educated in public schools (compared to the CO state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Golden?
Golden public schools minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Colorado public schools average of 51% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Golden are often viewed compared to one another?

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