For the 2025 school year, there are 18 public schools serving 8,232 students in Golden, CO (there are , 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 21% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Colorado public school average of 50% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Golden, CO (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Kyffin Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
205 North Flora Way
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-5760
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-5760
Grades: PK-5
| 493 students
Rank: #22.
Ralston Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
25856 Columbine Glen
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-4386
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-4386
Grades: K-5
| 288 students
Rank: #33.
Mitchell Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
200 Rubey Drive
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 982-5874
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 982-5874
Grades: K-5
| 499 students
Rank: #44.
Manning Options School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
13200 West 32nd Place
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-6340
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-6340
Grades: 6-8
| 685 students
Rank: #55.
Golden View Classical Academy
Charter School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
601 Corporate Circle
Golden, CO 80401
(720) 598-6700
Golden, CO 80401
(720) 598-6700
Grades: K-12
| 743 students
Rank: #66.
Fairmount Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
15975 West 50th Avenue
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 982-5422
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 982-5422
Grades: K-5
| 626 students
Rank: #77.
Golden High School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
701 24th Street
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-4200
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-4200
Grades: 9-12
| 1,453 students
Rank: #88.
Maple Grove Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3085 Alkire Street
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-5808
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-5808
Grades: PK-5
| 379 students
Rank: #99.
Gilpin County Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
10595 Highway 119
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 582-3444
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 582-3444
Grades: PK-5
| 186 students
Rank: #1010.
Lookout Mountain
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2901 Ford Street
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 273-2600
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 273-2600
Grades: 5-12
| n/a students
Rank: #1111.
Shelton Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
420 Crawford Street
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-5686
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-5686
Grades: PK-5
| 399 students
Rank: #1212.
Gilpin County Undivided High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
10595 Highway 119
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 582-3444
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 582-3444
Grades: 6-12
| 204 students
Rank: #1313.
Bell Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1001 Ulysses Street
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-4280
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-4280
Grades: 6-8
| 751 students
Rank: #1414.
Free Horizon Montessori
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
15920 W 10th Ave
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-5921
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-5921
Grades: PK-8
| 373 students
Rank: #1515.
Compass Montessori - Golden Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
4441 Salvia Street
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 271-1977
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 271-1977
Grades: PK-12
| 422 students
Rank: #1616.
Jeffco Virtual Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1829 Denver West Drive Bldg #2
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-6770
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-6770
Grades: 6-12
| 441 students
Rank: #1717.
Welchester Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
13000 West 10th Avenue
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-7342
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-7342
Grades: PK-5
| 263 students
Rank: #1818.
Connections Learning Center On The Earle Johnson C
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1200 Johnson Road
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-7004
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-7004
Grades: 6-9
| 27 students
Golden, Colorado Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
11719 Ranch Elsie Road
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 982-3409
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 982-3409
Grades: K-8
| 79 students
Gilpin County Alternative School (Closed 2005)
Alternative School
10595 Highway 119
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 582-9975
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 582-9975
Grades: 9-12
| 15 students
10595 Highway 119
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 582-3444
Golden, CO 80403
(303) 582-3444
Grades: 1-3
| 15 students
1829 Denver West Drive
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-6770
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-6770
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
1829 Denver West Drive
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-6770
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-6770
Grades: K-6
| 34 students
13950 West 20th Avenue
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-5928
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-5928
Grades: PK
| 40 students
15920 West 10th Avenue
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-5921
Golden, CO 80401
(303) 982-5921
Grades: PK-6
| 275 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Golden, CO?
The top ranked public schools in Golden, CO include Kyffin Elementary School, Ralston Elementary School and Mitchell Elementary School. Golden has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in Colorado.
How many public schools are located in Golden?
18 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 21% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Colorado public schools average of 50% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Golden are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Golden include: Welchester Elementary School vs. Kyffin Elementary School, Shelton Elementary School vs. Mitchell Elementary School, Manning Options School vs. Bell Middle School
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