The top reported proficiency rate is 36% in English language arts. The lowest is 21% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Harrison School
Harrison School is a regular public school in Cañon City, Colorado, serving kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of the Fremont Re-1 district. The school sits in a small city that functions as the county seat of Fremont County, an area whose economy is heavily shaped by correctional facilities—ten are located in or near town—along with tourism tied to the Royal Gorge Bridge and the Arkansas River, healthcare, and a historic downtown commercial district. The city has experienced modest population growth in recent decades and has an aging demographic profile. Home values in the area are well below the state median, and rents are relatively moderate by Colorado standards, making the housing market more accessible than in much of the Front Range.
The school enrolls a student body that is predominantly white, with a notable Hispanic minority and small numbers of students identifying as two or more races, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, or Black. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, indicating that the school serves a community with significant economic need. Data on special education identification and English learner status was not available in the record.
The district recently sought additional local funding through a mill levy override ballot measure in 2023, which asked voters to approve a sum for operations. That measure failed by a narrow margin, leaving Fremont Re-1 without that revenue stream and affecting its ability to fund programs, staffing, and facility needs going forward.
On state assessments, Harrison School's results present a mixed picture. In math, the share of students scoring proficient or above was modest, while in English language arts it was somewhat higher. Science proficiency, assessed at grades five and eight, showed a similar pattern: stronger performance at grade five than at grade eight. When measured against the other three school districts in Fremont County, the school's overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places it in the top quartile. That relative strength within a small, rural county context is worth noting, but a parent should also weigh the absolute proficiency levels, which are low compared to state averages. The school did not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to examine, nor was chronic absenteeism data reported.
The school building is located on Field Avenue in Cañon City. Information about specific program offerings, such as gifted education, arts, or extracurriculars, was not included in the data available here, so families may want to contact the school directly to learn what enrichment opportunities exist. Similarly, data on staffing ratios and discipline was absent from the record.
For a parent considering Harrison School, the picture is one of a neighborhood K-8 school in a small, economically constrained city where the local housing market is relatively affordable. The student body reflects the broader community's demographics, with a large share of families experiencing poverty. The district is managing recent budget constraints after a failed tax measure. Academically, the school performs stronger relative to neighboring districts within Fremont County than it does against statewide benchmarks, and the gap between math and literacy outcomes is one a parent may wish to discuss with the school.
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