The top-scoring schools on state achievement tests are all located in metro Denver, according to new data released Wednesday by the Colorado Department of Education.
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Students in third through eighth grade take the Colorado Measures of Academic Success tests in math and language arts annually. Possible scores range from 650 to 850, with students considered to have met expectations for their grade level at 750 or higher.
Search your school’s 2026 CMAS test scores
Denver-area districts’ performance varied widely, with more than 65% of students meeting expectations in language in the Boulder Valley School District, while only about 7% did in Sheridan School District 2 — though the latter district went through an 18-day teachers strike this spring that disrupted classes.
The spread was similar in math, with fewer than 4% of students meeting expectations in Sheridan School District 2, while 58% did in Littleton Public Schools.
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The top-performing schools on the CMAS math and English language arts exams were in Denver Public Schools, Jeffco Public Schools, Adams 12 Five Star Schools, Aurora Public Schools, Cherry Creek Schools and Boulder Valley, which landed four schools on the two lists.
DPS’s Polaris Elementary School remains the top-performing institution on the English language arts test, but slipped from first place last year to second on the math test, with Aurora Quest K-8 moving up to the top slot.
Read more Search your school’s 2026 CMAS test scores
Here are the Top 5 schools on each test, accounting for ties:
Top-performing schools in CMAS English language arts
- Polaris Elementary School, Denver Public Schools: 799
- Dennison Elementary School, Jeffco Public Schools: 794
- Parmalee Elementary School, Jeffco Public Schools: 793
- Hulstrom K-8, Adams 12 Five Star Schools: 791
- Eisenhower Elementary School, Boulder Valley School District; and Westerly Creek Elementary, Denver Public Schools: 789 (tie)
Top-performing schools in CMAS math
- Aurora Quest K-8, Aurora Public Schools: 790
- Polaris Elementary School, Denver Public Schools: 789
- Challenge School, Cherry Creek Schools; Summit Middle Charter School, Boulder Valley School District; and Dennison Elementary School, Jeffco Public Schools: 785 (tie)
- Bear Creek Elementary School, Boulder Valley School District: 784
- High Peaks Elementary School, Boulder Valley School District: 781
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