Skip to main content

Average

#1054 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

5.8

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,054 of 1,815

In Aurora

#41 of 100

public schools

In district

#43 of 70

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

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Buffalo Trail Elementary School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Buffalo Trail Elementary School

5.8/10

Elementary School in Aurora · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Infinity Middle School

8.2/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Antelope Ridge Elementary School

5.2/10

1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Buffalo Trail Elementary School

Buffalo Trail Elementary School is a public elementary school in Aurora, CO, part of Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah. Buffalo Trail Elementary School serves approximately 627 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 16.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Buffalo Trail Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,054 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Buffalo Trail Elementary School show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 5.8 · Average
  • District avg 6.6
  • CO avg 6.3

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.2Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.8 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.1Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35.4% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.5% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg-0.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.4 pts
Overall Proficiency38% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected-4.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
Resources & Environment6.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,158
Chronic Absenteeism24.9%

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 52.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.5% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 58.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
44.9% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 35 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
94%
ELA
95%
2010
Math
93%
ELA
93%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
74%
2012
Math
80%
ELA
78%
2013
Math
79%
ELA
76%
2014
Math
48%
ELA
60%
2015
Math
48%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
45%
ELA
56%
2017
Math
39%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
39%
ELA
51%
2019
Math
39%
ELA
51%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
47%
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: 5.2/10.

How Buffalo Trail Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
42th percentile in CO
Academic
6.1/10
Average
Growth
5.2/10
Average
Environment
6.7/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
38%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
24.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Altitude Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Black Forest Hills Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Heritage Heights Academy (rated 8.6/10, 2.8 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 8.2
Antelope Ridge Elementary School Aurora 1.1 mi 5.2
Canyon Creek Elementary School Aurora 1.3 mi 5.4
Pine Ridge Elementary School Aurora 1.7 mi 7.5
Mountain Vista Elementary School Centennial 1.5 mi 8.3
Coyote Hills Elementary School Aurora 2.0 mi 5.6
Eaglecrest High School Centennial 1.6 mi 7.1
Outback Preschool Aurora 1.7 mi 4.9
Thunder Ridge Middle School Aurora 1.7 mi 6.0
Cherokee Trail High School Aurora 2.2 mi 8.4
Black Forest Hills Elementary School Aurora 2.5 mi 8.8
Fox Ridge Middle School Aurora 2.5 mi 7.2
Timberline Elementary School Centennial 2.3 mi 5.8
Sky Vista Middle School Aurora 2.5 mi 4.5
Dakota Valley Elementary School Aurora 2.7 mi 6.6
Aspen Crossing Elementary School Centennial 2.6 mi 6.1
Heritage Heights Academy Centennial 2.8 mi 8.6
Grandview High School Aurora 3.0 mi 8.3
Altitude Elementary School Aurora 3.2 mi 9.1
Falcon Creek Middle School Aurora 2.9 mi 6.7

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alamosa Elementary School 3-5 Alamosa, CO 5.8
Appleton Elementary School Grand Junction, CO 5.8
Global Village Academy Aurora Aurora, CO 5.8
Harrison School Canon City, CO 5.8
Jewell Elementary School Aurora, CO 5.8
Martinez Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO 5.8

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 ranks #1,054 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Buffalo Trail Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Buffalo Trail Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Buffalo Trail Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Buffalo Trail Elementary School has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
9 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
24.9%

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.