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Below Average

#1434 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

4.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,434 of 1,815

In Denver

#193 of 222

public schools

In district

#174 of 196

School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C

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Cowell Elementary School

4.7/10

Elementary School in Denver · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Colfax Elementary School

6.2/10

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

Beth Jacob High School

7.1/10

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

About Cowell Elementary School

Cowell Elementary School is a public elementary school in Denver, CO, part of School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C. Cowell Elementary School serves approximately 270 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Cowell Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,434 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Cowell Elementary School show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.1 pts below district
  • This school 4.7 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.8
  • CO avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

58% of students at Cowell Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.7Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.64 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.1Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency4.8% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency7.9% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg-31.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-37 pts
Overall Proficiency6% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)20% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected-13.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile5th
Resources & Environment6.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,206
Chronic Absenteeism58.1%

Cowell Elementary School — Students at Cowell Elementary School score 6% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

85.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 29.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
36.1% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 29.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
44.0% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 30 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
83%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
78%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
36%
ELA
43%
2012
Math
44%
ELA
45%
2013
Math
41%
ELA
38%
2014
Math
14%
ELA
7.5%
2015
Math
13%
ELA
14%
2016
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2017
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
7.5%
2025
Math
4.8%
ELA
10.8%

* 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: 5.7/10.

How Cowell Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.7/10
21th percentile in CO
Academic
2.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
5.7/10
Average
Environment
6.1/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
85%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
58.1%

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 8.7/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is WELLSPRING CATHOLIC ACADEMY OF ST. BERNADETTE (rated 6.8/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Lakewood), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Knapp Elementary School (rated 6.5/10, 1.7 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 6.2
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 5.5
HEARTLAND ACADEMY DENVER Denver 0.8 mi
ESCUELA DE GUADALUPE Denver 0.9 mi 5.6
Lake Middle School Denver 1.1 mi 6.7
Eagleton Elementary School Denver 0.9 mi 6.0
Cheltenham Elementary School Denver 1.0 mi 5.9
Edgewater Elementary School Edgewater 1.4 mi 4.5
Barnum Elementary School Denver 1.3 mi 4.4
Knapp Elementary School Denver 1.7 mi 6.5
Brown International Academy Denver 1.6 mi 8.7
KIPP Sunshine Peak Elementary Denver 1.7 mi 5.9
TENNYSON CENTER FOR CHILDREN AT CCH Denver 1.9 mi 7.3
New America School Lakewood 1.8 mi 4.5
Munroe Elementary School Denver 1.9 mi 3.7
Deane Elementary School Lakewood 2.0 mi 2.8
Lumberg Elementary School Edgewater 1.8 mi 3.2
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
B F Kitchen Elementary School Loveland, CO 4.7
Eva R Baca Elementary School Pueblo, CO 4.7
Fowler Elementary School Fowler, CO 4.7
Kaiser Elementary School Denver, CO 4.7
Loma Elementary School Loma, CO 4.7
Marsh Elementary School Monte Vista, CO 4.7

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 ranks #1,434 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Cowell Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cowell Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 Cowell Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cowell Elementary School has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
53 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
45 Some Transit
Bike Score
65 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
58.1%

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