The top reported proficiency rate is 33% in English language arts. The lowest is 19% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Aurora Highlands K-8
Aurora Highlands K-8 is a regular public school in Aurora, Colorado, serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of Aurora Public Schools, the district formally known as Aurora Joint District No. 28 of the counties of Adams and Arapahoe. The school’s operational status is listed as new, meaning it has opened relatively recently in a city that continues to expand, particularly along the E-470 corridor near Denver International Airport, where the city is planning an Aerotropolis development that could draw many additional residents.
On state assessments administered in the 2024-2025 school year, Aurora Highlands’ overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades placed it above the midpoint when compared with all districts in Adams County. This relative standing is a strength, yet the absolute results mean that a minority of students reached the proficient or above level. In English language arts, less than half of students met that bar. Math proficiency was lower, and at the eighth-grade level, science proficiency dropped further; the fifth-grade science results were higher but still below half. Parents evaluating the school for its academic pathway should note that while the school ranks in the upper half of county districts, the majority of students are not yet scoring proficient. The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report, and data on chronic absenteeism was not available.
The student body is diverse. The largest ethnic group is Hispanic, followed by Black, White, students identifying as two or more races, and Asian. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting a primarily low-income community. Data on the number of students with disabilities and English learners was not included in the available records; a family with a child needing those supports may want to inquire directly with the school about services and staffing ratios.
Aurora Highlands sits within a large, car-dependent suburban city that lacks a single traditional downtown. The built environment is spread across hundreds of subdivisions and commercial strips, though light rail lines serve parts of the city. Major employers include Buckley Space Force Base and the Anschutz Medical Campus, which also functions as a major civic and economic anchor. Housing values in the school’s zip code are slightly below the statewide benchmark but remain well above the national median, and rents consume a sizeable portion of typical household income. This context suggests the neighborhood is not inexpensive, but it is not the most expensive part of the metro area either.
At the district level, voters approved a bond measure in 2022 that funds facility improvements, safety upgrades, and modernization across Aurora Public Schools. Separately, the district is engaged in a school consolidation and repurposing process, closing or repurposing underutilized buildings. Aurora Highlands, as a newer school, may be positioned within that restructuring as a stable campus for families in this part of the city. The district’s long-term investments in infrastructure are a positive sign, though the consolidation process could affect attendance boundaries over time.
For a parent or resident, Aurora Highlands K-8 offers a K-8 setting in a growing, suburban part of Denver’s third-largest city. Its academic performance sits in the middle-to-upper tier among county districts, though typical achievement levels are modest. The school is diverse and serves a majority low-income population. Housing in the area is expensive relative to the nation, but slightly more affordable than Colorado’s statewide average. Families considering this school should also explore the district’s ongoing consolidation and the supports available for students who are learning English or have special needs, as that information was not available in the published data. The school is a logical option for residents of the newer subdivisions east of Aurora and for those who value a single campus that spans elementary and middle grades.
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