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Below Average

#1476 of 1,815 schools in CO

Barney Ford Elementary School

Elementary School · School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C

14500 MAXWELL PLACE, Denver, CO 80239

Enrollment

464

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

4.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Denver

#189 of 222

public schools

Colorado elementary schools

#830 of 1,006

In district

#168 of 196

School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C

School environment

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About Barney Ford Elementary School

Barney Ford Elementary School is a regular public school located in Denver, Colorado. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 464 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1 with 30 full-time equivalent teachers. While Barney Ford's academic performance currently ranks at the lower end according to state metrics—with only 19% proficiency in ELA/Reading and 14% proficiency in Math—it is clear that there are opportunities for growth and improvement.

The school’s setting within a large city offers diverse experiences and resources, contributing to its unique character. Barney Ford Elementary School is situated in an area where the community values education and strives to support students’ development.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.0Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.52 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.6Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency16.8%
Math vs. State Avg-22.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-28.1 pts
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)14%
vs. Expected+0.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,336

Barney Ford Elementary School — Students at Barney Ford Elementary School score 15% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 14%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

94.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 13.7%
School
State
39.5%
ELA Proficiency 19.1%
School
State
44.9%

Based on 13 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
21%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
14%
2025
Math
13.4%
ELA
16.9%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.0/10.

How Barney Ford Elementary School Compares

See how Barney Ford Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.9/10
19th percentile in CO
Academic
4.6/10
4.6/10
Growth
4.0/10
Below average
Environment
7.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

Location

14500 MAXWELL PLACE, Denver, CO 80239

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Barney Ford Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Marie L. Greenwood Academy (rated 7.3/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Escalante-Biggs Academy (rated 7.3/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Farrell B. Howell ECE-8 School (rated 6.9/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Denver, see our Denver schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Marie L. Greenwood Academy Denver 0.4 mi 7.3
Escalante-Biggs Academy Denver 0.4 mi 7.3
Maxwell Elementary School Denver 0.8 mi 4.8
Lena Archuleta Elementary School Denver 0.7 mi 4.8
Montbello High School Denver 0.7 mi 5.2
Oakland Elementary Denver 1.0 mi 6.5
Rocky Mountain Prep Noel Denver 0.9 mi 5.0
Montbello Middle School Denver 0.9 mi 5.4
Farrell B. Howell ECE-8 School Denver 1.4 mi 6.9
McGlone Academy Denver 1.4 mi 4.9
John H. Amesse Elementary Denver 1.4 mi 3.3
Montbello Career and Technical High School Denver 1.6 mi 7.1
Monarch Montessori Denver 1.8 mi 6.5
Academy 360 Denver 2.0 mi 4.3
DSST: Green Valley Ranch High School Denver 2.0 mi 7.4
DSST: Green Valley Ranch Middle School Denver 2.0 mi 6.4
Vista Academy Denver 2.0 mi 5.0
Rocky Mountain Prep Green Valley Ranch Denver 2.1 mi 6.0
SOAR at Green Valley Ranch Denver 2.1 mi 4.4
KIPP Northeast Denver Leadership Academy Denver 2.1 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80239 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$86,661

Median Home Value

$394,500

Median Rent

$1,903/mo

Population

44,077

College Educated

18.4%

Homeownership

58.9%

Avg Commute

27.2 min

Poverty Rate

12.1%

Median Age

32.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Barney Ford Elementary School has a median household income of $86,661. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $394,500, with a median rent of $1,903/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.1%. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Academy International Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO 4.9
Achieve Academy Thornton, CO 4.9
Bessemer Elementary School Pueblo, CO 4.9
Centennial Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO 4.9
Ellicott Elementary School Ellicott, CO 4.9
Hillcrest Elementary School Northglenn, CO 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Barney Ford Elementary School

What grades does Barney Ford Elementary School serve?

Barney Ford Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Barney Ford Elementary School?

Barney Ford Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 464 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Barney Ford Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Barney Ford Elementary School is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Barney Ford Elementary School rank in CO?

Barney Ford Elementary School is ranked #1476 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Barney Ford Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Barney Ford Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Barney Ford Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Barney Ford Elementary School has 13.7% math proficiency and 19.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Barney Ford Elementary School a charter school?

No, Barney Ford Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Barney Ford Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Barney Ford Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Barney Ford Elementary School?

94.8% of students at Barney Ford Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (5,773/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Denver). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
464
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
94.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Denver County
Data Year
2023–2024

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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