Average
#781 of 1,815 schools in CO
Top 43% in state
Cottonwood Plains Elementary School
Elementary School · Thompson School District R-2J
525 TURMAN DRIVE, Ft. Collins, CO 80525
Enrollment
345
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
345
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ft. Collins
#1 of 2
public schools
Colorado elementary schools
#500 of 1,006
In district
#14 of 31
Thompson School District R-2J
School environment
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Cottonwood Plains Elementary School
Cottonwood Plains Elementary School is a public elementary school in Ft Collins, Colorado, nestled in a large suburban area. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 345 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1 with 25 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.8 out of 10, placing it in the 54th percentile among Colorado schools.
Academically, Cottonwood Plains Elementary focuses on fostering a nurturing environment where students can grow and develop. According to state assessments, 34% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 30% meet proficiency standards in math. The school's setting offers a supportive suburban community for its young learners.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Cottonwood Plains Elementary School — Students at Cottonwood Plains Elementary School score 33% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
62.9%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 5.9/10.
How Cottonwood Plains Elementary School Compares
See how Cottonwood Plains Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 33.73% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 39% (2019) to 32.93% (2025).
Location
525 TURMAN DRIVE, Ft. Collins, CO 80525
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cottonwood Plains Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Coyote Ridge Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Fort Collins), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kruse Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Fort Collins), which scores notably higher. Additionally, McGraw Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Fort Collins), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Ft. Collins, see our Ft. Collins schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.8 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 80525 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$93,349
Median Home Value
$563,100
Median Rent
$1,744/mo
Population
55,541
College Educated
58.8%
Homeownership
58.8%
Avg Commute
19 min
Poverty Rate
10%
Median Age
37.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cottonwood Plains Elementary School has a median household income of $93,349. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $563,100, with a median rent of $1,744/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 for Advanced and Creative Learning Colorado Springs, CO | 6.7 |
| Bauder Elementary School Fort Collins, CO | 6.7 |
| Cherry Drive Elementary School Thornton, CO | 6.7 |
| Columbine Elementary School Fort Morgan, CO | 6.7 |
| Columbine Hills Elementary School Littleton, CO | 6.7 |
| Hopkins Elementary School Centennial, CO | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cottonwood Plains Elementary School
What grades does Cottonwood Plains Elementary School serve?
Cottonwood Plains Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Cottonwood Plains Elementary School?
Cottonwood Plains Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 345 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Plains Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Plains Elementary School is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cottonwood Plains Elementary School rank in CO?
Cottonwood Plains Elementary School is ranked #781 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Cottonwood Plains Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cottonwood Plains Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Cottonwood Plains Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cottonwood Plains Elementary School has 29.8% math proficiency and 33.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cottonwood Plains Elementary School a charter school?
No, Cottonwood Plains Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cottonwood Plains Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Cottonwood Plains Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cottonwood Plains Elementary School?
62.9% of students at Cottonwood Plains 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
- County Safety
- Low (248/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 345
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 62.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Larimer County
- Phone
- (970) 613-5900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Thompson School District R-2J- District Enrollment
- 14,907
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,678
- District Rank
- #14 of 31
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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