Every grade. Every subject. PSD students outpace Colorado again on 2026 state assessments.

Poudre School District students outperformed Colorado state averages in every subject and every grade level tested this spring — a result PSD has now sustained for five consecutive years.

On the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS), PSD students exceeded state averages by 12 to 25 percentage points in English language arts, math, science and social studies. On the PSAT and SAT, PSD students met college and career readiness benchmarks at rates 15 to 19 percentage points above the state.

The clearest example: in 11th grade science, half of PSD students met or exceeded expectations — double the state rate of 25 percent. PSD's science results climbed while the state's were flat.

Achievement scores show where students are. Growth scores show how far they traveled to get there — and PSD's elementary growth was strong. Fourth and fifth graders posted median growth percentiles above the state's typical mark of 50 in both reading and math, with fourth grade reading reaching a 57.

That strength wasn't concentrated in a few schools. Nineteen PSD elementary schools posted above-typical growth in both reading and math! 

Fourth graders also improved in both reading and math over last year, and Riffenburgh Elementary and Boltz Middle School have now increased their percentage of students meeting or exceeding expectations in both subjects four years running. Laurel Elementary and Lesher Middle School have done it three years running.

More than eight in ten PSD students met the college readiness benchmark in reading and writing on the PSAT 9, PSAT 10 and SAT. In math, PSD's 10th grade average score rose again this year. 

Students of color have increased their percentage meeting or exceeding expectations for three consecutive years in both CMAS reading and math, and in both PSAT/SAT reading and math — and their growth now outpaces the state in every one of those areas.

PSD's multilingual learners made some of the year's most notable growth gains, with reading growth climbing eight points districtwide to surpass the state average. Supporting these students, along with students from families experiencing economic hardship, has been a sustained district priority for years, and that work continues. Strong growth is a signal the approach is working. Continued focus is how it turns into every student graduating with options.

"I want to emphasize what these numbers actually represent: thousands of students showing up every day, and educators who know them, meeting them exactly where they are," said PSD Superintendent Brian Kingsley. "Test scores are one measure among many, and they don't capture everything that makes a PSD classroom special. But when our students outperform the state in every grade and every subject — five years in a row — that tells you something real about the quality of education here. My commitment remains making sure that excellence reaches every single student."

Results like these are the product of the people in our buildings — teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors, bus drivers, food service staff, and families who show up for kids every day. PSD is grateful to all of them, and proud of the thousands of students who give it their all.

Families exploring school options for their students can learn more about PSD's schools, programs, and enrollment process — and see why so many families Choose PSD —  at psdschools.org.

>> PSD Student Outcomes and Data