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Charter School0
Douglas County School District No. RE-1

STEM School Highlands Ranch

#5 in Best High Schools for STEM in Colorado
  • A
    Overall Grade
  • Public, Charter
  • K-12
  • Highlands Ranch, CO
  • 48 reviews
    A
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Academics
      A
    2. Diversity
      B
    3. Teachers
      B
    4. College Prep
      A
    5. Clubs & Activities
      C-
    6. Health & Safety
      B+
    7. Administration
      D-
    8. Sports
      C-
    9. Food
      C-
    10. Resources & Facilities
      D-
    View Full Report Card
    STEM School Highlands Ranch is a highly rated, public, charter school located in Highlands Ranch, CO. It has 1,598 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 19 to 1. According to state test scores, 57% of students are at least proficient in math and 71% in reading.
    Address
    8773 Ridgeline Drive
    Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
    Telephone
    (303) 683-7836
    Website
    dcsdk12.org

    STEM School Highlands Ranch Rankings

    Niche ranks nearly 100,000 schools and districts based on statistics and millions of opinions from students and parents.

    Academics

    Percent Proficient - Reading
    71%
    Percent Proficient - Math
    57%
    Average Graduation Rate
    92%
    Average SAT
    1290
    74 responses
    Average ACT
    29
    59 responses
    AP Enrollment
    43%
    Niche College Admissions Calculator
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    Living in the Area
    A+
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Cost of Living
      C
    2. Good for Families
      A+
    3. Housing
      A-
    Median Household Income
    $116,973
    National
    $55,322
    Median Rent
    $1,740
    National
    $949
    Median Home Value
    $407,200
    National
    $184,700

    Culture & Safety

    Health & Safety
    B+
    Based on chronic student absenteeism, suspensions/expulsions, and survey responses on the school environment from students and parents.
    Poll
    67%
    of students agree that they feel safe at their school.9 responses
    Poll
    56%
    of students agree that they like their school and feel happy there.9 responses
    Poll
    What are your favorite school events or traditions?
    Based on 27 responses
    Report
    • Homecoming
      19%
    • TSA
      19%
    • Pep rallies
      11%
    • Homecoming
      7%
    • Crash Club
      7%
    • Mr. Spartan Beauty Pageant
      7%
    • Prom
      7%

    Students

    Diversity
    B
    Based on racial and economic diversity and survey responses on school culture and diversity from students and parents.
    Students
    1,598
    Free or Reduced Lunch
    6%
    44%
    of students and parents agree that students at this school are competitive.9 responses
    44%
    of students and parents agree that students at this school are creative and artsy.9 responses
    11%
    of students and parents agree that students at this school are athletic.9 responses

    Teachers

    Student-Teacher Ratio
    19:1
    National
    17:1
    Average Teacher Salary
    $59,944
    Teachers in First/Second Year
    39.4%
    67%
    of students and parents agree that the teachers give engaging lessons.9 responses
    78%
    of students and parents agree that the teachers genuinely care about the students.9 responses
    67%
    of students and parents agree that the teachers adequately lead and control the classroom.9 responses

    Clubs & Activities

    Clubs & Activities
    C-
    Based on student and parent reviews of clubs and activities.
    Girls Athletic Participation
    Very High
    Boys Athletic Participation
    Average
    Expenses Per Student
    $9,273/ year
    National
    $12,239
    67%
    of students and parents agree that there are plenty of clubs and organizations for students to get involved in.9 responses
    56%
    of students and parents agree that clubs and organizations get the funding they need.9 responses
    56%
    of students and parents agree that lots of students participate in clubs and organizations.9 responses
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    STEM School Highlands Ranch Reviews

    48 reviews
    All Categories
    The administration is easily the worst part of this school. They fire the good teachers and replace them with bad or inexperienced teachers who they are able to pay less in order to raise the administration's salary, school materials are severely limited because the school's budget is focused on unnecessary expenses, and the administration refuses to listen to students. Additionally, the high school is made up of two hallways, there is one gym for the elementary school, and the lunch room is hardly big enough for the students. Teachers and administration are incredibly hard on students and constantly push the "get A's or work at McDonald's" mentality, and often don't teach their students, preferring "independent" or "student-led" work. The only redeeming quality that this school has is its engineering labs and computer science labs, which are highly advanced. Go Spartans!
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    Transferring over for the beginning of junior year to STEM School Highlands Ranch was an unimaginable experience. They offer a program known as Concurrent Enrollment, where the fees and expenses of taking early community college courses are covered for high school students interested. I am currently participating in the program, and it has offered me so much free-time, academic success, and college experience, even at an early age. Just recently too, STEM forwarded me an email for an apprenticeship offer at Home Advisor as a Computer Technician, in which, I joined and have had an unbeatable experience. I am learning the business tactics, work experience, and social aspect for my future career as a current senior in high school with STEM's offerings. The school overall is amazing!
    I am a student at STEM School Highlands Ranch. It is an enriching and fast paced environment, propelled by rigor and excellent community. The school is widely known for preparing students for college and the workforce well and many students after graduating find rigorous schedules at community and state schools, "easier than they thought it would be." There are also wonderful clubs such as TSA, FRC, and BEST Robotics that many students find themselves participating in. However, because the school is growing so fast and because the building meant to hold grades K through 12, resources and management are somewhat challenged. Expansion has sometimes competed with student interest, but I feel that this problem is being gradually solved as we gain a new administrative staff and organize better than the previous years.