Grade Trends

Colorado public schools

1,723 public schools in 258 cities and towns.

How Colorado compares nationally

NAEP, the Nation’s Report Card, gives the same test to a sample of students in every state, so it is the one fair way to compare states. The charts show the share of students at or above NAEP Proficient, a high bar: each state’s own test counts many more students as meeting its standard.

Top 5 states in 2024:
Test Colorado National average (public schools) Average score vs. the nation Among the 50 states and DC
Math, grade 4 2024 42% 39% About the same 3 states higher, 29 about the same, 18 lower
Math, grade 8 2024 33% 27% Higher 1 states higher, 23 about the same, 26 lower
Reading, grade 4 2024 36% 31% Higher 0 states higher, 11 about the same, 39 lower
Reading, grade 8 2024 35% 29% Higher 0 states higher, 12 about the same, 38 lower

“Higher”, “lower” and “about the same” compare average scores using NAEP’s own statistical test: a difference of a few points can come from which students happened to be tested. NAEP is given every two years; the latest results are from 2024. Source: National Center for Education Statistics.

Cities with the most schools

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