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Average

#1263 of 1,815 schools in CO

Buffalo Trail Elementary School

Elementary School · Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah

24300 EAST PROGRESS DRIVE, Aurora, CO 80016

Enrollment

627

Student-Teacher

16.9:1

Score

5.5

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Aurora

#58 of 100

public schools

Colorado elementary schools

#733 of 1,006

In district

#56 of 70

Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah

About Buffalo Trail Elementary School

Buffalo Trail Elementary School is an elementary school located in Aurora, Colorado. Situated at 24300 East Progress Drive, the school offers a learning environment for students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With a total enrollment of 627 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.9:1, Buffalo Trail provides personalized attention to its young learners.

The school has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10, placing it in the 50th percentile among Colorado schools. Students perform at an average level according to state assessments, with 44% proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 37% proficient or above in Math. While these scores indicate room for growth, Buffalo Trail is dedicated to supporting each student's development.

Buffalo Trail Elementary School is situated within a large city, offering students access to urban resources while maintaining a strong sense of community. The school’s setting provides a diverse and vibrant backdrop for learning and personal growth.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.16 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.2Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.5%
Math vs. State Avg-0.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.4 pts
Overall Proficiency38%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-4.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.3Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,137

Buffalo Trail Elementary School — Students at Buffalo Trail Elementary School score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

37.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 37.1%
School
State
39.5%
ELA Proficiency 43.9%
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
39%
ELA
51%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
38%
2025
Math
35.2%
ELA
41.3%

* 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: 4.7/10.

How Buffalo Trail Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
31th percentile in CO
Academic
6.2/10
6.2/10
Growth
4.7/10
Below average
Environment
6.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
38%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers

Location

24300 EAST PROGRESS DRIVE, Aurora, CO 80016

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Buffalo Trail Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Black Forest Hills Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Altitude Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Aspen Crossing Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Centennial), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Aurora, see our Aurora schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Infinity Middle School Aurora 0.4 mi 6.9
Antelope Ridge Elementary School Aurora 1.1 mi 5.3
Canyon Creek Elementary School Aurora 1.3 mi 5.1
Pine Ridge Elementary School Aurora 1.7 mi 6.8
Mountain Vista Elementary School Centennial 1.5 mi 6.3
Coyote Hills Elementary School Aurora 2.0 mi 5.0
Eaglecrest High School Centennial 1.6 mi 7.7
Outback Preschool Aurora 1.7 mi 6.5
Thunder Ridge Middle School Aurora 1.7 mi 6.2
Cherokee Trail High School Aurora 2.2 mi 7.7
Black Forest Hills Elementary School Aurora 2.5 mi 8.8
Fox Ridge Middle School Aurora 2.5 mi 6.2
Timberline Elementary School Centennial 2.3 mi 5.5
Sky Vista Middle School Aurora 2.5 mi 4.8
Dakota Valley Elementary School Aurora 2.7 mi 7.2
Aspen Crossing Elementary School Centennial 2.6 mi 7.4
Heritage Heights Academy Centennial 2.8 mi 5.9
Grandview High School Aurora 3.0 mi 8.3
Altitude Elementary School Aurora 3.2 mi 8.4
Falcon Creek Middle School Aurora 2.9 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80016 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$148,421

Median Home Value

$707,700

Median Rent

$2,140/mo

Population

66,479

College Educated

58.4%

Homeownership

80.5%

Avg Commute

29.4 min

Poverty Rate

3.6%

Median Age

39.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Buffalo Trail Elementary School has a median household income of $148,421. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $707,700, with a median rent of $2,140/month. The local poverty rate of 3.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Arrowhead Elementary School Aurora, CO 5.5
Independence Academy Grand Junction, CO 5.5
Kendrick Lakes Elementary School Lakewood, CO 5.5
Oak Grove Elementary School Montrose, CO 5.5
Orchard Park Academy Denver, CO 5.5
Riverview School Glenwood Springs, CO 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Buffalo Trail Elementary School

What grades does Buffalo Trail Elementary School serve?

Buffalo Trail Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Buffalo Trail Elementary School?

Buffalo Trail Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 627 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Buffalo Trail Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Buffalo Trail Elementary School is 16.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Buffalo Trail Elementary School rank in CO?

Buffalo Trail Elementary School is ranked #1263 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Buffalo Trail Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Buffalo Trail Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Buffalo Trail Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Buffalo Trail Elementary School has 37.1% math proficiency and 43.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Buffalo Trail Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Buffalo Trail Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

37.8% of students at Buffalo Trail 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 (4,074/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
627
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
37.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Arapahoe 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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