Free Horizon Montessori

Summary:

Free Horizon Montessori is a public elementary school serving grades PK-8 in Golden, Colorado, with a student population of 394 as of the 2022-2023 school year. While the school is part of the Jefferson County School District No. R-1, which is ranked 35 out of 116 districts in the state and has a 4-star rating, Free Horizon Montessori itself has some unique characteristics that set it apart from the surrounding schools.

One notable difference is the school's racial makeup, with a significantly higher percentage of white students (79.95%) compared to the nearby Mitchell Elementary School (50-88% white) and other local schools. However, this demographic difference may not translate to academic success, as Free Horizon Montessori's test scores are generally lower than the district and state averages across all grade levels and subjects. For example, in 2023-2024, the school's proficiency rates in CMAS English Language Arts (40.1%) and Math (28.8%) were well below the Jefferson County School District (51.8% and 40.7%) and state (44.1% and 34.2%) averages.

These academic challenges are reflected in the school's rankings, as Free Horizon Montessori has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Colorado elementary schools, typically in the 400-600 range out of around 900-950 schools. Its 2-star rating from SchoolDigger is also lower than the district's 4-star rating. Additionally, the school's rankings for female, male, and white student subgroups are all in the bottom half of Colorado elementary schools, indicating potential achievement gaps that may need to be addressed. While the school's relatively low free/reduced lunch rates (17-21%) suggest it serves a more affluent population, this factor alone does not seem to be driving the school's academic performance, which appears to be an area of concern for parents and educators alike.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-8

 15920 W 10th Ave
       Golden, CO  80401-5615


(303) 982-5921

District: Jefferson County School District No. R-1

SchoolDigger Rank:
510th of 943 Colorado Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $17,421 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  16.8 Help
Number of students:  373

Racial breakdown:

White:
73.7%
Hispanic:
16.9%
Two or more races:
7.8%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  24.1% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Free Horizon Montessori ranks worse than 54.1% of elementary schools in Colorado. It also ranks 60th among 85 ranked elementary schools in the Jefferson County School District No. R-1. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 41.42. (See more...)
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Compare Details Free Horizon Montessori ranks better than 75.9% of middle schools in Colorado. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 72.45. (See more...)
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
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
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (73.7%), Hispanic (16.9%), two or more races (7.8%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 24.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Free Horizon Montessori is 16.8. 57 elementary schools in the Jefferson County School District No. R-1 have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
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Compare Free Horizon Montessori employs 22.1 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Free Horizon Montessori is $17,421, which is the 10th highest among 85 elementary schools in the Jefferson County School District No. R-1.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Free Horizon Montessori:

SchoolDigger ranks Free Horizon Montessori 510th of 943 Colorado public elementary schools. (See Free Horizon Montessori in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Female students:
Male students:
White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Free Horizon Montessori 117th of 485 Colorado public middle schools. (See Free Horizon Montessori in the ranking list.)

Jefferson County School District No. R-1:

SchoolDigger ranks Jefferson County School District No. R-1 35th of 116 Colorado school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Free Horizon Montessori?

Rank History for Free Horizon Montessori

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Rank History for all elementary school students at Free Horizon Montessori

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 59.59 365th 823 55.7%
2006 44.88 496th 829 40.2%
2007 67.33 298th 852 65.0%
2008 63.45 330th 849 61.1%
2009 60.51 378th 872 56.7%
2010 63.00 372nd 925 59.8%
2011 60.18 404th 935 56.8%
2012 42.17 592nd 935 36.7%
2013 41.81 587th 954 38.5%
2014 40.11 608th 962 36.8%
2015 44.76 477th 938 49.1%
2016 49.96 416th 914 54.5%
2017 40.40 514th 929 44.7%
2018 34.51 574th 917 37.4%
2019 42.24 523rd 965 45.8%
2021 39.57 453rd 710 36.2%
2022 37.38 536th 921 41.8%
2023 43.64 485th 933 48.0%
2024 41.42 510th 943 45.9%
See the entire list of Colorado Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Free Horizon Montessori

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 33.52 444th 690 35.7%
2019 26.13 545th 758 28.1%
2023 46.73 323rd 642 49.7%
2024 37.78 425th 684 37.9%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Free Horizon Montessori

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 37.02 415th 693 40.1%
2019 37.51 448th 764 41.4%
2023 23.67 494th 649 23.9%
2024 31.78 445th 683 34.8%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at Free Horizon Montessori

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 14.87 547th 596 8.2%
2023 17.57 469th 525 10.7%
2024 19.44 469th 539 13.0%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for White Students!

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

Rank History for Free Horizon Montessori

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Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2008 82.07 55th 362 84.8%
2009 50.49 207th 377 45.1%
2010 70.21 118th 409 71.1%
2011 72.39 107th 422 74.6%
2012 63.71 155th 425 63.5%
2013 48.24 248th 454 45.4%
2014 57.76 180th 461 61.0%
2017 45.95 199th 424 53.1%
2022 47.25 212th 448 52.7%
2024 72.45 117th 485 75.9%
See the entire list of Colorado Elementary School Rankings!

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

Free Horizon Montessori Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 







Data source: Colorado Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3.6)
38%

38%

0%

0%

25%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Friday, January 23, 2015

Open Quote Our experience with our first grader has been negative. Her teacher seems unqualified and I fear she is falling behind. When I try to communicate with the dean of students and principal, my calls and emails are often not returned, or they say they will get back to me by a certain time and they don't. There seems to be a general lack of organization, and poor communication from teachers and administration. Some of the staff and teachers are great, but I hear more stories of poor teaching than great ones. Probably because this school (according to its own principal) has a high teacher turnover rate. It also has a high student turnover rate so obviously my student is not the only one who is struggling. Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, October 16, 2014

Open Quote Free Horizon Montessori is a school where the principal, teachers, faculty, and parents all go above and beyond. My 3 year old and 6 year old are learning so much and are enjoying school immensely. Teachers are very committed to the children and do a great job with keeping them excited about the work. Highly recommend this school. Close Quote


by a parent
Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Open Quote Five years ago we were looking for a school that could challenge our highly gifted child, yet embrace her as a child - Free Horizon Montessori is just that school. Each year we have been amazed at how calmly the teachers "follow the child" through the curriculum, gently nudging them on less desirable work, and giving them depth in areas of high interest. While the test scores on state standardized tests took a nose dive in 2012, other measures of academic achievement remained above average - and since then we have had thoughtful, conscious conversations on the importance of test taking and whether we are comfortable with judging our progress using other indicators of success. Free Horizon Montessori is a community - teacher, parents, administrators, and students coming together for a common purpose: enriching the lives of students and giving them the keys to global citizenship. Close Quote


by a parent
Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Open Quote Free Horizon Montessori is the perfect school for our two children. The teachers and administrators at FHM are incredibly dedicated to meeting the individual needs of the students. They encourage inquisitiveness and creativity and rather than give the student the answer to a question or problem, FHM staff members teach the students how to problem solve and to think critically. If you are looking for a school where your child can develop as a whole person (intellectually, socially, and emotionally), I would encourage you to look beyond the school's standardized test scores and attend a tour to see if it is the right fit for your family. Close Quote


by a parent
Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Open Quote FHM is committed to helping every child achieve their potential and love learning. Balancing the Montessori philosophy and the demands of a public school system is tricky but the teachers and administrators are up to the challenge. Our children have thrived here. If you are looking for a school where standardized test scores are a top priority this school may not be it, as there is no teaching to the test and Montessori methods do not necessarily follow the same pattern as a more traditional public school. If you are looking for a warm healthy learning environment where each child is treated as an individual this may be the right school. Close Quote


by a parent
Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Open Quote My daughter went to Free Horizon for preschool and is in kindergarten there now. She LOVES school. At her age, we really want a school that will foster her love of learning and let her explore things that interest her while still having structure in her day. Her teacher is awesome, and the assistant teacher is an integral part of a fabulous classroom environment that promotes personal growth and learning. We have no experience with the upper level grades at this point. Close Quote


by a parent
Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Open Quote I am a Montessori kid, and as such, was looking for a school that met my high expectations for inspired learning, while balancing my son's natural ability to learn, and very normal learning challenges. In our 5th year at Free Horizon, we have embraced a vibrant, caring community. My son couldn't be more delighted about jumping into school every day, learning and most importantly learning to function in a community. His latest parent/teacher conference reported that he had outstanding citizenship --- really, what more could we ask for? This doesn't come from a test, it doesn't come from homework, it comes from trusting calm adults who understand and support children and their natural ability to learn and thrive. Montessori is about guiding, not about cramming in facts and figures. As a Montessori kid, turned into an adult, I wouldn't give back that educational experience for anything. So glad that my son is able to share that same experience. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Free Horizon Montessori

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2002 93 1 4 10 2 n/a n/a 0 110
2003 93 1 4 10 2 n/a n/a 0 110
2004 140 5 9 16 3 n/a n/a 0 173
2005 149 3 7 20 3 n/a n/a 0 182
2006 156 4 7 21 3 n/a n/a 0 191
2007 172 7 11 26 3 n/a n/a 0 219
2008 195 11 12 23 3 n/a n/a 0 244
2009 223 10 15 18 2 n/a n/a 0 268
2010 286 8 13 24 1 n/a n/a 0 332
2011 299 6 13 41 2 0 20 0 381
2012 334 7 6 44 1 0 33 0 425
2013 307 6 6 35 1 0 20 0 375
2014 312 4 3 40 1 0 17 0 377
2015 312 3 5 41 5 0 13 0 379
2016 330 3 2 42 3 0 19 0 399
2017 340 5 3 43 1 0 17 0 409
2018 348 6 3 48 0 0 16 0 421
2019 368 6 4 41 0 0 24 0 443
2020 381 3 7 42 0 0 24 0 457
2021 348 2 6 35 0 0 24 0 415
2022 357 5 9 43 0 0 26 0 440
2023 315 3 4 46 3 0 23 0 394
2024 275 2 4 63 0 0 29 0 373

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 Free Horizon Montessori

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2002 110 7.5 14.7 0.9
2003 110 7.5 14.7 0.9
2004 173 8.3 20.8 0.6
2005 182 9.3 19.6 6.6
2006 191 11.3 16.9 6.8
2007 219 11.5 19.0 11
2008 244 14.6 16.7 9
2009 268 15.6 17.2 4.5
2010 332 17.2 19.3 11.7
2011 381 21.6 17.6 8.1
2012 425 25.4 16.7 14.6
2013 375 21.0 17.8 21.6
2014 377 16.4 22.9 21
2015 379 20.0 18.9 15.8
2016 399 22.0 18.1 13
2017 409 21.4 19.1 18.8
2018 421 22.6 18.5 19.5
2019 443 21.7 20.3 17.8
2020 457 24.1 18.8 19
2021 415 24.2 17.1 21.2
2022 440 23.1 19.0 17.3
2023 394 19.7 19.9 20.6
2024 373 22.1 16.8 24.1

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 Free Horizon Montessori

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2002 110 7.5 14.7 0.9
2003 110 7.5 14.7 0.9
2004 173 8.3 20.8 0.6
2005 182 9.3 19.6 6.6
2006 191 11.3 16.9 6.8
2007 219 11.5 19.0 11
2008 244 14.6 16.7 9
2009 268 15.6 17.2 4.5
2010 332 17.2 19.3 11.7
2011 381 21.6 17.6 8.1
2012 425 25.4 16.7 14.6
2013 375 21.0 17.8 21.6
2014 377 16.4 22.9 21
2015 379 20.0 18.9 15.8
2016 399 22.0 18.1 13
2017 409 21.4 19.1 18.8
2018 421 22.6 18.5 19.5
2019 443 21.7 20.3 17.8
2020 457 24.1 18.8 19
2021 415 24.2 17.1 21.2
2022 440 23.1 19.0 17.3
2023 394 19.7 19.9 20.6
2024 373 22.1 16.8 24.1

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 Free Horizon Montessori

Help

YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $12,271
2020 $13,813
2021 $13,041
2022 $15,009
2023 $17,421

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Free Horizon Montessori

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 523rd of 965 Elementary schoolsRanks 485th of 933 Elementary schools
 2.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Free Horizon Montessori)33.938.5
 4.6%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)46.348.2
 1.9%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)41.339.9
 1.4%
3rd Grade Math (Free Horizon Montessori)37.538.5
 1%
   3rd Grade Math (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)45.748.1
 2.4%
   3rd Grade Math (Colorado)4140.4
 0.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Free Horizon Montessori)54.150
 4.1%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)5653.5
 2.5%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)4843.8
 4.2%
4th Grade Math (Free Horizon Montessori)32.420
 12.4%
   4th Grade Math (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)38.539.9
 1.4%
   4th Grade Math (Colorado)33.632.7
 0.9%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Free Horizon Montessori)47.747.6
 0.1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)53.655.6
 2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)48.447.8
 0.6%
5th Grade Math (Free Horizon Montessori)22.223.8
 1.6%
   5th Grade Math (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)39.441.7
 2.3%
   5th Grade Math (Colorado)35.736.5
 0.8%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Free Horizon Montessori)5032.1
 17.9%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)51.550.6
 0.9%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)43.643
 0.6%
6th Grade Math (Free Horizon Montessori)2025
 5%
   6th Grade Math (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)3530.2
 4.8%
   6th Grade Math (Colorado)29.526.3
 3.2%
All Grades English Language Arts (Free Horizon Montessori)42.943.6
 0.7%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)51.750.8
 0.9%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Colorado)45.843.7
 2.1%
All Grades Math (Free Horizon Montessori)29.723.6
 6.1%
   All Grades Math (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)39.838.7
 1.1%
   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 Students443394
 11.1%
African American63
 50%
American Indian03
Asian44
Hispanic4146
 12.2%
Pacific Islander00
White368315
 14.4%
Two or More Races2423
 4.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients17.8%20.6%
 2.7%


Schools Near Free Horizon Montessori









Frequently Asked Questions about Free Horizon Montessori

Free Horizon Montessori ranks 510th of 943 Colorado elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

In the 2023-24 school year, 373 students attended Free Horizon Montessori.

Students at Free Horizon Montessori are 74% White, 17% Hispanic, 8% Two or more races, 1% Asian.


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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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