Average
#966 of 1,815 schools in CO
Carson Elementary School
Elementary School · School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C
5420 EAST 1ST AVENUE, Denver, CO 80220
Enrollment
415
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
415
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Denver
#122 of 222
public schools
Colorado elementary schools
#593 of 1,006
In district
#113 of 196
School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C
Equity
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Carson Elementary School
Carson Elementary School serves 415 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Denver's 80220 zip code, maintaining a comfortable 16:1 student-teacher ratio with 26 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school has earned recognition as one of Colorado's top elementary schools, ranking 88th out of 1,831 schools statewide and placing in the 95th percentile with an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 9.4 out of 10 academic score.
In mathematics, 62% of students across all grade levels achieve proficiency or above, reflecting the school's commitment to educational excellence. This achievement aligns well with the surrounding community's educational values, where 63% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. Carson Elementary sits in an affluent Denver neighborhood where families enjoy a median household income of $96,703 and median home values of $690,300.
The area maintains a low poverty rate of 8.8%, creating a stable environment that supports student learning. Located at 5420 East 1st Avenue, the school serves a diverse population of 36,236 residents in this thriving Denver community, where educational achievement and family investment in learning create an environment conducive to academic success.
Score Breakdown
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Carson Elementary School — Students at Carson Elementary School score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
15.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from CO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 3.9/10.
How Carson Elementary School Compares
See how Carson Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 60.66% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 79% (2019) to 73.08% (2025).
Location
5420 EAST 1ST AVENUE, Denver, CO 80220
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Carson Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Palmer Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Teller Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Steck Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Denver, see our Denver schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| RABBI STEVEN FOSTER EARLY LEARNING CENTER Denver | 0.1 mi | — |
| HILLEL ACADEMY Denver | 0.6 mi | 6.3 |
| GRALAND COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Denver | 0.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Hill Campus of Arts and Sciences Denver | 0.7 mi | 4.3 |
| CHRIST THE KING ROMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Denver | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Palmer Elementary School Denver | 1.0 mi | 8.8 |
| George Washington High School Denver | 0.9 mi | 8.7 |
| Denver Language School Denver | 0.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Steck Elementary School Denver | 0.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Delta High School Denver | 1.0 mi | 8.4 |
| DENVER ACADEMY OF TORAH Denver | 0.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Denver Green School Southeast Denver | 1.1 mi | 3.6 |
| McMeen Elementary School Denver | 1.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Montclair School of Academics and Enrichment Denver | 1.4 mi | 5.2 |
| STANLEY BRITISH PRIMARY SCHOOL Denver | 1.2 mi | 7.0 |
| EINSTEIN ACADEMY Denver | 1.5 mi | — |
| ST JAMES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Denver | 1.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Teller Elementary School Denver | 1.6 mi | 8.5 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF DENVER Denver | 1.9 mi | 7.0 |
| BANSBACH ACADEMY AT DENVER CHILDRENS HOME Denver | 1.8 mi | 7.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 80220 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$101,961
Median Home Value
$739,600
Median Rent
$1,621/mo
Population
36,311
College Educated
65.5%
Homeownership
57.8%
Avg Commute
24.6 min
Poverty Rate
9.1%
Median Age
38.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Carson Elementary School has a median household income of $101,961. It is a well-educated community where 66% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $739,600, with a median rent of $1,621/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Dos Rios Elementary School Evans, CO | 6.2 |
| Granby Elementary School Granby, CO | 6.2 |
| Haskin Elementary School Center, CO | 6.2 |
| Highline Academy Southeast Denver, CO | 6.2 |
| Holly Hills Elementary School Denver, CO | 6.2 |
| Hunters Glen Elementary School Thornton, CO | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Carson Elementary School
What grades does Carson Elementary School serve?
Carson Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Carson Elementary School?
Carson Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 415 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Carson Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Carson Elementary School is 16:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Carson Elementary School rank in CO?
Carson Elementary School is ranked #966 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Carson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Carson Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Carson Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carson Elementary School has 63.4% math proficiency and 72.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Carson Elementary School a charter school?
No, Carson Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Carson Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Carson Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carson Elementary School?
15.7% of students at Carson 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.
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
- 415
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 15.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Denver County
- Phone
- (720) 424-9090
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C- District Enrollment
- 88,258
- Schools in District
- 197
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,206
- District Rank
- #113 of 196
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 methodologyRelated reading
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