Bear Canyon Elementary School

Summary:

Bear Canyon Elementary School is a highly-ranked public elementary school in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, serving 393 students in grades PK-6 and part of the Douglas County School District No. Re 1. This school consistently outperforms district and state averages on CMAS assessments, with 75.8% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts and 62.4% in Math, compared to 62.3% and 52.3% for the district, respectively.

Bear Canyon Elementary has been ranked among the top 8% of Colorado elementary schools, placing 76th out of 943 in the 2023-2024 school year. The school also performs exceptionally well for male and white student subgroups, ranking 47th out of 683 Colorado elementary schools for male students and 74th out of 539 for white students. Additionally, Bear Canyon has a relatively low chronic absenteeism rate of 9.0%, compared to the district average of 13.7% and the state average of 16.2%.

When compared to nearby elementary schools in the same district, such as Stone Mountain Elementary and Northridge Elementary, Bear Canyon stands out as a top performer, with higher CMAS proficiency rates and statewide rankings. While Bear Canyon is an exceptional school, there may be opportunities to further improve its performance, such as addressing the slightly higher chronic absenteeism rate compared to the top-performing schools in the area.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-6

 9660 Salford Lane
       Highlands Ranch, CO  80126-3517


(303) 387-6475

District: Douglas County School District No. Re 1

SchoolDigger Rank:
76th of 943 Colorado Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $14,664 Help


Students who attend Bear Canyon Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Mountain Ridge Middle School
High:    Mountain Vista High School

Student/teacher ratio:  16.5 Help
Number of students:  393

Racial breakdown:

White:
73.3%
Hispanic:
15.0%
Two or more races:
7.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  9.2% Help


 See top rated Colorado elementary schools

 Compare Bear Canyon Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Bear Canyon Elementary School ranks better than 91.9% of elementary schools in Colorado. It also ranks 14th among 58 ranked elementary schools in the Douglas County School District No. Re 1. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 90.27. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Bear Canyon Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Douglas County School District No. Re 1.  (See more...)
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Bear Canyon Elementary School is $14,664. 36 elementary schools in the Douglas County School District No. Re 1 spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Bear Canyon Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Bear Canyon Elementary School 76th of 943 Colorado public elementary schools. (See Bear Canyon Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Douglas County School District No. Re 1:

SchoolDigger ranks Douglas County School District No. Re 1 5th of 116 Colorado school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Bear Canyon Elementary School?

Rank History for Bear Canyon Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Bear Canyon Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 86.19 82nd 808 89.9%
2005 85.88 81st 823 90.2%
2006 89.39 46th 829 94.5%
2007 87.19 63rd 852 92.6%
2008 88.82 50th 849 94.1%
2009 88.29 63rd 872 92.8%
2010 91.12 41st 925 95.6%
2011 87.88 77th 935 91.8%
2012 88.97 76th 935 91.9%
2013 82.22 139th 954 85.4%
2014 79.88 170th 962 82.3%
2015 76.82 187th 938 80.1%
2016 75.68 184th 914 79.9%
2017 75.26 207th 929 77.7%
2018 75.17 202nd 917 78.0%
2019 86.63 106th 965 89.0%
2021 80.01 157th 710 77.9%
2022 88.83 79th 921 91.4%
2023 93.22 45th 933 95.2%
2024 90.27 76th 943 91.9%
See the entire list of Colorado Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Female students at Bear Canyon Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 64.09 211th 690 69.4%
2019 78.71 135th 758 82.2%
2021 59.26 171st 351 51.3%
2022 77.97 106th 595 82.2%
2023 84.51 77th 642 88.0%
2024 80.41 109th 684 84.1%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Bear Canyon Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 71.60 170th 693 75.5%
2019 85.41 76th 764 90.1%
2021 82.30 64th 352 81.8%
2022 89.78 41st 594 93.1%
2023 91.26 39th 649 94.0%
2024 90.12 47th 683 93.1%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Bear Canyon Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 42.52 188th 337 44.2%
2019 68.26 157th 596 73.7%
2021 66.22 108th 288 62.5%
2022 76.22 91st 454 80.0%
2023 84.69 47th 525 91.0%
2024 79.80 74th 539 86.3%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Colorado Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Bear Canyon Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 







Data source: Colorado Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)
50%

0%

0%

0%

50%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Open Quote A wonderful school thanks in part to very dedicated parents, teachers and leaders. School and surrounding homes are located in established, two decade-young neighborhoods.

While many school parents work, the school community is blessed with a higher than average number of stay-at-home parents, which account for the high number of parent volunteer hours. Bear Canyon feeds into the highly-regarded Mountain Vista High School system. Students also benefit from exceptional music, art and physical education programs; adding to a well-rounded educational experience. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Bear Canyon Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1991 311 6 3 9 3 n/a n/a 0 332
1992 461 5 5 13 3 n/a n/a 0 487
1993 506 7 7 14 3 n/a n/a 0 537
1994 613 9 13 14 4 n/a n/a 0 653
1995 670 10 28 8 3 n/a n/a 0 719
1996 670 10 28 8 3 n/a n/a 0 719
1997 696 7 26 16 6 n/a n/a 0 751
1998 666 5 19 11 6 n/a n/a 0 707
1999 661 3 13 11 3 n/a n/a 0 691
2000 639 7 11 21 3 n/a n/a 0 681
2001 632 4 20 28 5 n/a n/a 0 689
2002 625 3 29 29 4 n/a n/a 0 690
2003 625 3 29 29 4 n/a n/a 0 690
2004 577 6 31 28 3 n/a n/a 0 645
2005 563 4 34 27 2 n/a n/a 0 630
2006 579 7 27 30 7 n/a n/a 0 650
2007 563 5 33 33 6 n/a n/a 0 640
2008 579 8 33 33 4 n/a n/a 0 657
2009 569 8 30 40 6 n/a n/a 0 653
2010 548 10 34 48 1 n/a n/a 0 641
2011 528 3 19 57 1 0 14 0 622
2012 505 1 23 60 4 1 15 0 609
2013 503 2 21 65 2 0 19 0 612
2014 479 4 18 68 5 0 27 0 601
2015 478 2 17 84 4 0 27 0 612
2016 433 2 15 74 3 1 31 0 559
2017 417 5 16 75 1 0 31 0 545
2018 396 2 19 64 2 0 26 0 509
2019 412 3 23 48 2 0 31 0 519
2020 400 4 15 44 2 0 27 0 492
2021 322 2 19 40 7 0 25 0 415
2022 322 2 16 44 1 1 25 0 411
2023 288 3 13 59 1 0 29 0 393

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Bear Canyon Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1991 332 16.7 19.8 0.6
1992 487 28.8 16.9 0.6
1993 537 28.3 19.0 0.7
1994 653 35.0 18.7 0.9
1995 719 40.8 17.6 1.1
1996 719 40.8 17.6 1.1
1997 751 43.7 17.2 0.4
1998 707 43.0 16.4 0.3
1999 691 44.1 15.7 0.3
2000 681 43.3 15.7 1.2
2001 689 40.3 17.1 1.5
2002 690 38.1 18.1 0.9
2003 690 38.1 18.1 0.9
2004 645 35.4 18.2 2.5
2005 630 33.2 19.0 1.9
2006 650 33.0 19.7 2.9
2007 640 33.7 19.0 3
2008 657 33.9 19.4 2.9
2009 653 35.2 18.6 3.1
2010 641 34.8 18.4 5.1
2011 622 31.0 20.0 6.8
2012 609 30.6 19.8 5.7
2013 612 32.5 18.8 6.4
2014 601 31.5 19.0 6.3
2015 612 33.0 18.5 7.8
2016 559 29.0 19.2 10
2017 545 29.3 18.6 9.4
2018 509 29.1 17.4 9.4
2019 519 29.1 17.8 11.8
2020 492 27.6 17.8 9.6
2021 415 26.6 15.6 10.6
2022 411 24.7 16.6 6.3
2023 393 23.7 16.5 9.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Bear Canyon Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1991 332 16.7 19.8 0.6
1992 487 28.8 16.9 0.6
1993 537 28.3 19.0 0.7
1994 653 35.0 18.7 0.9
1995 719 40.8 17.6 1.1
1996 719 40.8 17.6 1.1
1997 751 43.7 17.2 0.4
1998 707 43.0 16.4 0.3
1999 691 44.1 15.7 0.3
2000 681 43.3 15.7 1.2
2001 689 40.3 17.1 1.5
2002 690 38.1 18.1 0.9
2003 690 38.1 18.1 0.9
2004 645 35.4 18.2 2.5
2005 630 33.2 19.0 1.9
2006 650 33.0 19.7 2.9
2007 640 33.7 19.0 3
2008 657 33.9 19.4 2.9
2009 653 35.2 18.6 3.1
2010 641 34.8 18.4 5.1
2011 622 31.0 20.0 6.8
2012 609 30.6 19.8 5.7
2013 612 32.5 18.8 6.4
2014 601 31.5 19.0 6.3
2015 612 33.0 18.5 7.8
2016 559 29.0 19.2 10
2017 545 29.3 18.6 9.4
2018 509 29.1 17.4 9.4
2019 519 29.1 17.8 11.8
2020 492 27.6 17.8 9.6
2021 415 26.6 15.6 10.6
2022 411 24.7 16.6 6.3
2023 393 23.7 16.5 9.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Bear Canyon Elementary School

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $11,187
2020 $12,145
2021 $12,734
2022 $13,579
2023 $14,664

Data source: Colorado Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Bear Canyon Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 106th of 965 Elementary schoolsRanks 45th of 933 Elementary schools
 6.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Bear Canyon Elementary School)65.570.2
 4.7%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Douglas County School District No. Re 1)5258
 6%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)41.339.9
 1.4%
3rd Grade Math (Bear Canyon Elementary School)56.966.7
 9.8%
   3rd Grade Math (Douglas County School District No. Re 1)52.659.4
 6.8%
   3rd Grade Math (Colorado)4140.4
 0.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Bear Canyon Elementary School)67.670
 2.4%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Douglas County School District No. Re 1)5959.2
 0.2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)4843.8
 4.2%
4th Grade Math (Bear Canyon Elementary School)58.662.7
 4.1%
   4th Grade Math (Douglas County School District No. Re 1)44.748.8
 4.1%
   4th Grade Math (Colorado)33.632.7
 0.9%
5th Grade Science (Bear Canyon Elementary School)53.259.6
 6.4%
   5th Grade Science (Douglas County School District No. Re 1)47.750.7
 3%
   5th Grade Science (Colorado)35.933.9
 2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Bear Canyon Elementary School)82.776.6
 6.1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Douglas County School District No. Re 1)59.164.5
 5.4%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)48.447.8
 0.6%
5th Grade Math (Bear Canyon Elementary School)49.366
 16.7%
   5th Grade Math (Douglas County School District No. Re 1)44.852.4
 7.6%
   5th Grade Math (Colorado)35.736.5
 0.8%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Bear Canyon Elementary School)73.490.3
 16.9%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Douglas County School District No. Re 1)60.365.1
 4.8%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)43.643.4
 0.2%
6th Grade Math (Bear Canyon Elementary School)53.860
 6.2%
   6th Grade Math (Douglas County School District No. Re 1)45.147.7
 2.6%
   6th Grade Math (Colorado)29.528.2
 1.3%
All Grades English Language Arts (Bear Canyon Elementary School)72.877.7
 4.9%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Douglas County School District No. Re 1)56.761.6
 4.9%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Colorado)45.843.7
 2.1%
All Grades Math (Bear Canyon Elementary School)54.563.6
 9.1%
   All Grades Math (Douglas County School District No. Re 1)46.550.7
 4.2%
   All Grades Math (Colorado)34.732.9
 1.8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students519393
 24.3%
African American33
American Indian21
 50%
Asian2313
 43.5%
Hispanic4859
 22.9%
Pacific Islander00
White412288
 30.1%
Two or More Races3129
 6.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients11.8%9.2%
 2.6%


Schools Near Bear Canyon Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Bear Canyon Elementary School

Yes. Bear Canyon Elementary School ranks in the top 8.1% of Colorado elementary schools.

Students who attend Bear Canyon Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Mountain Ridge Middle School
High : Mountain Vista High School

Students at Bear Canyon Elementary School are 73% White, 15% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races, 3% Asian.

In the 2022-23 school year, 393 students attended Bear Canyon Elementary School.


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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.





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