Edison Elementary School vs French American School of Denver
Edison Elementary School and French American School of Denver are very closely rated, both scoring around 9.1 out of 10. Edison Elementary School is significantly larger with 553 students, about 2.9× the size of French American School of Denver (189). In math proficiency, Edison Elementary School leads at 94.0%.
Edison Elementary School
Denver, CO
553 students
French American School of Denver
Denver, CO
189 students
Ratings Comparison
| Metric | Edison Elementary School | French American School of Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.1 / 10 | 9.5 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 9.6 | 8.8 |
| Growth Score | 9.0 | 10.0 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 17.9% | 14.8% |
| Environment Score | 8.8 | 9.3 |
| State Rank | #32 of 1,815 | #3 of 1,815 |
| State Percentile | 98th | 100th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Edison Elementary School | French American School of Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 94.0% | 49.5% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 94.0% | 54.7% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | 44.9% |
School Details
| Detail | Edison Elementary School | French American School of Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Elementary School | Elementary School |
| Grades | Pre-K – 5th | Kindergarten – 5th |
| Enrollment | 553 | 189 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 17.3:1 | 14.5:1 |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 17.9% | 14.8% |
| Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23) | 11.4% | 19.6% |
| District | School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C | School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C |
| City | Denver | Denver |
Neighborhood
| Metric | Denver (80212) | Denver (80205) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $118,692 | $98,770 |
| Median Home Value | $705,300 | $627,600 |
| Median Rent | $1,714 | $1,816 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 63.7% | 61.3% |
| Poverty Rate | 9.8% | 17.0% |
| Avg Commute | 24 min | 26 min |
The data story: Edison Elementary School vs French American School of Denver
Edison Elementary School and French American School of Denver sit just 4.3 miles apart in Denver, yet they land at different points in Colorado's rankings. French American School of Denver holds the narrower overall edge at 9.4/10 versus Edison Elementary School's 9.3/10, and its state rank of #11 of 1815 in Colorado clears Edison's strong #18 of 1815 position. Both schools belong to the top 1% of Colorado elementary schools, so the gap is one of degree rather than kind.
The academic and growth scores tell a more divided story. Edison Elementary School posts a 9.6/10 academic score against French American School of Denver's 8.8/10 — a full 0.8-point advantage in measured proficiency. French American School of Denver flips that dynamic on growth, scoring 9.9/10 to Edison's 9.4/10, meaning students at the charter school are advancing faster relative to their starting points even while absolute proficiency scores trail. Parents who prioritize current grade-level mastery will favor Edison; parents who weight academic acceleration will favor French American School of Denver.
On demographics and classroom size, the schools diverge sharply. Edison Elementary School enrolls 553 students across a PK–05 span, giving it a prekindergarten entry point that French American School of Denver — which begins at kindergarten — does not offer. French American School of Denver's enrollment of 189 students produces a 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio compared to Edison's 17.3:1, a difference of nearly three students per teacher that translates directly to more individual attention. Free and reduced-price lunch rates are comparable: 18% at Edison versus 15% at French American School of Denver.
Program and structural differences complete the picture. French American School of Denver operates as a charter school, meaning enrollment requires an active application and admission is not guaranteed by address. Edison Elementary School is a regular public school with neighborhood-based enrollment. French American School of Denver's smaller footprint and lower ratio align with an intentionally boutique model; Edison's larger, more diverse enrollment reflects a traditional neighborhood school serving a broader community.
Editorial summary generated May 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Edison Elementary School
Edison Elementary School suits families who want a high-performing neighborhood public school with no application barrier, prekindergarten access starting at age 4, and top-decile academic proficiency scores. It also fits families who prioritize a larger, more socioeconomically diverse school community over smaller class sizes.
French American School of Denver
French American School of Denver fits families willing to navigate charter enrollment for a smaller, higher-growth environment with a 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio and a #11 state rank. It is the stronger fit for parents who weight individual attention and learning velocity over raw proficiency scores, and who do not need a PK option.