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Needs Improvement

#1763 of 1,815 schools in CO

Barnum Elementary School

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

85 HOOKER STREET, Denver, CO 80219

Enrollment

324

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

3.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Denver

#216 of 222

public schools

Colorado elementary schools

#976 of 1,006

In district

#193 of 196

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

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very strong

About Barnum Elementary School

Barnum Elementary School is a public elementary school in Denver, Colorado, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 324 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each child grow and develop. The school has 21 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing a supportive learning environment.

Barnum Elementary’s academic performance shows areas for improvement, with an ELA proficiency rate of 20% and math proficiency at 19%. These scores indicate that the school is focusing on student development and offers opportunities for growth. Located in the heart of Denver, Barnum Elementary benefits from being part of a dynamic city setting, providing students with diverse experiences both inside and outside the classroom.

Barnum Elementary School is situated in an urban environment where community resources and cultural offerings enrich the educational experience for its students.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.6Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-6.16 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency12%
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)18%
vs. Expected-4.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,336

Barnum Elementary School — Students at Barnum Elementary School score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

86.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 19.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 19.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 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
30%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
17%

* 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: 1.6/10.

How Barnum Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.5/10
3th percentile in CO
Academic
3.8/10
3.8/10
Growth
1.6/10
Below average
Environment
7.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
87%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

85 HOOKER STREET, Denver, CO 80219

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Barnum Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. KIPP Sunshine Peak Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Castro Elementary School (rated 6.4/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rocky Mountain Prep Southwest (rated 6.4/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Denver, see our Denver schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
KIPP Sunshine Peak Elementary Denver 0.5 mi 6.4
ESCUELA DE GUADALUPE Denver 0.6 mi 5.6
Munroe Elementary School Denver 0.7 mi 4.2
Eagleton Elementary School Denver 0.9 mi 4.5
Florence Crittenton High School Denver 0.7 mi 6.2
Castro Elementary School Denver 1.2 mi 6.4
Newlon Elementary School Denver 0.9 mi 5.8
Kepner Beacon Middle School Denver 1.2 mi 5.7
Rocky Mountain Prep Southwest Denver 1.2 mi 6.4
KIPP Sunshine Peak Academy Denver 1.1 mi 5.2
Knapp Elementary School Denver 1.1 mi 5.5
Valverde Elementary School Denver 1.1 mi 5.7
Pascual Ledoux Academy Denver 1.4 mi 7.1
Denver Online Denver 1.1 mi 3.1
KIPP Denver Collegiate High School Denver 1.1 mi 6.9
HEARTLAND ACADEMY DENVER Denver 1.4 mi
Cowell Elementary School Denver 1.3 mi 3.6
Rocky Mountain Prep SMART Denver 1.5 mi 4.8
Rocky Mountain Prep Westwood Denver 1.5 mi 7.9
Cheltenham Elementary School Denver 1.7 mi 4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80219 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$67,325

Median Home Value

$426,200

Median Rent

$1,464/mo

Population

60,095

College Educated

21.9%

Homeownership

57.7%

Avg Commute

27.2 min

Poverty Rate

18.2%

Median Age

34.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Barnum Elementary School has a median household income of $67,325. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $426,200, with a median rent of $1,464/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.2%. 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
Abrams Elementary School Fort Carson, CO 3.5
Penrose Elementary School Penrose, CO 3.5
Stone Creek School Edwards, CO 3.5
Villa Bella Expeditionary School Pueblo, CO 3.5
AXL Academy Aurora, CO 3.6
Academy of Arts and Knowledge Elementary Ft. Collins, CO 3.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Barnum Elementary School

What grades does Barnum Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Barnum Elementary School?

Barnum Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 324 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Barnum Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Barnum Elementary School is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Barnum Elementary School rank in CO?

Barnum Elementary School is ranked #1763 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Barnum Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Barnum Elementary School has a composite rating of 3.5 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 Barnum Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Barnum Elementary School has 19.0% math proficiency and 19.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Barnum Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Barnum Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

86.7% of students at Barnum 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
324
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
86.7%
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

Related reading

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