Needs Improvement
#1748 of 1,815 schools in CO
Cowell Elementary School
Elementary School · School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C
4540 WEST 10TH AVENUE, Denver, CO 80204
Enrollment
270
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
3.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
270
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
3.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Denver
#214 of 222
public schools
Colorado elementary schools
#967 of 1,006
In district
#191 of 196
School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C
School environment
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Cowell Elementary School
Cowell Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Denver, Colorado. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, Cowell Elementary has an enrollment of 270 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1 with 20 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting is within the bustling city limits of Denver, providing students with diverse urban experiences.
Cowell Elementary focuses on creating a supportive learning environment despite its current academic performance ranking in the lower percentile among Colorado schools. With an ELA proficiency rate of 16% and a math proficiency rate of 14%, the school is working diligently to improve student outcomes through various educational strategies and development programs. While Cowell Elementary faces challenges, it continues to prioritize student growth and community engagement within its urban setting in Denver.
Score Breakdown
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Cowell Elementary School — Students at Cowell Elementary School score 6% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
85.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 8 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: 2.4/10.
How Cowell Elementary School Compares
See how Cowell Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 4.8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 7.87% (2025).
Location
4540 WEST 10TH AVENUE, Denver, CO 80204
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cowell Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Brown International Academy (rated 8.5/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Edgewater Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Edgewater), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Colfax Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 0.6 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Colfax Elementary School Denver | 0.6 mi | 7.2 |
| BETH JACOB HIGH SCHOOL Denver | 0.5 mi | 7.1 |
| YESHIVA TORAS CHAIM HIGH SCHOOL Denver | 0.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Newlon Elementary School Denver | 0.7 mi | 5.8 |
| HEARTLAND ACADEMY DENVER Denver | 0.8 mi | — |
| ESCUELA DE GUADALUPE Denver | 0.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Lake Middle School Denver | 1.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Eagleton Elementary School Denver | 0.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Cheltenham Elementary School Denver | 1.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Edgewater Elementary School Edgewater | 1.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Barnum Elementary School Denver | 1.3 mi | 3.5 |
| Knapp Elementary School Denver | 1.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Brown International Academy Denver | 1.6 mi | 8.5 |
| KIPP Sunshine Peak Elementary Denver | 1.7 mi | 6.4 |
| TENNYSON CENTER FOR CHILDREN AT CCH Denver | 1.9 mi | 7.3 |
| New America School Lakewood | 1.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Munroe Elementary School Denver | 1.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Deane Elementary School Lakewood | 2.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Lumberg Elementary School Edgewater | 1.8 mi | 4.5 |
| WELLSPRING CATHOLIC ACADEMY OF ST. BERNADETTE Lakewood | 1.7 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 80204 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$79,265
Median Home Value
$579,900
Median Rent
$1,724/mo
Population
35,518
College Educated
50.5%
Homeownership
38.9%
Avg Commute
24.4 min
Poverty Rate
19.6%
Median Age
32.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cowell Elementary School has a median household income of $79,265. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $579,900, with a median rent of $1,724/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.6%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Barnum Elementary School Denver, CO | 3.5 |
| Desert Sage Elementary School Pueblo West, CO | 3.7 |
| Penrose Elementary School Penrose, CO | 3.5 |
| Stone Creek School Edwards, CO | 3.5 |
| Villa Bella Expeditionary School Pueblo, CO | 3.5 |
| Beulah Heights Elementary School Pueblo, CO | 3.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cowell Elementary School
What grades does Cowell Elementary School serve?
Cowell Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Cowell Elementary School?
Cowell Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 270 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cowell Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Cowell Elementary School is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cowell Elementary School rank in CO?
Cowell Elementary School is ranked #1748 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Cowell Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cowell Elementary School has a composite rating of 3.6 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 Cowell Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cowell Elementary School has 13.6% math proficiency and 16.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cowell Elementary School a charter school?
No, Cowell Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cowell Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Cowell Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cowell Elementary School?
85.2% of students at Cowell 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
- 270
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 85.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Denver County
- Phone
- (720) 424-8300
- 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
- #191 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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