Average
#785 of 1,815 schools in CO
Top 43% in state
Dakota Valley Elementary School
Elementary School · Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah
3950 SOUTH KIRK WAY, Aurora, CO 80013
Enrollment
584
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
584
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Colorado schools
#785 of 1,815
In Aurora
#27 of 100
public schools
In district
#35 of 70
Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah
School environment
8.3 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Dakota Valley 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.
Dakota Valley Elementary School
Elementary School in Aurora · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Aurora Frontier K-8
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Sky Vista Middle School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Dakota Valley Elementary School
Dakota Valley Elementary School is a public elementary school in Aurora, CO, part of Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah. Dakota Valley Elementary School serves approximately 584 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Dakota Valley Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #785 of 1,815 schools in CO.
Structured state assessment records for Dakota Valley Elementary School show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.6 · Average
- District avg 6.6
- CO avg 6.3
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Dakota Valley Elementary School — Students at Dakota Valley Elementary School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 35 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: 5.8/10.
How Dakota Valley Elementary School Compares
See how Dakota Valley Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
3950 SOUTH KIRK WAY, Aurora, CO 80013
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dakota Valley Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Heritage Heights Academy (rated 8.6/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Centennial), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mountain Vista Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Centennial), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PEACE WITH CHRIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Aurora, see our Aurora schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Aurora Frontier K-8 Aurora | 0.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Sky Vista Middle School Aurora | 0.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Sunrise Elementary School Aurora | 0.7 mi | 3.6 |
| Aspen Crossing Elementary School Centennial | 1.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Mountain Vista Elementary School Centennial | 1.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Eaglecrest High School Centennial | 1.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Thunder Ridge Middle School Aurora | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Horizon Middle School Aurora | 1.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Arrowhead Elementary School Aurora | 1.7 mi | 3.8 |
| Outback Preschool Aurora | 2.0 mi | 4.9 |
| PEACE WITH CHRIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aurora | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Peakview Elementary School Centennial | 1.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Timberline Elementary School Centennial | 2.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Summit Elementary School Aurora | 1.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Antelope Ridge Elementary School Aurora | 2.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Heritage Heights Academy Centennial | 2.5 mi | 8.6 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF AURORA Centennial | 2.3 mi | — |
| Side Creek Elementary School Aurora | 2.4 mi | 3.3 |
| Vassar Elementary School Aurora | 2.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Cimarron Elementary School Aurora | 2.1 mi | 4.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 80013 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$97,167
Median Home Value
$453,700
Median Rent
$1,978/mo
Population
74,732
College Educated
33.4%
Homeownership
76.7%
Avg Commute
29.9 min
Poverty Rate
10.6%
Median Age
36.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ASPEN ACADEMY Greenwood Village, CO | 6.6 |
| Bear Canyon Elementary School Highlands Ranch, CO | 6.6 |
| Dartmouth Elementary School Aurora, CO | 6.6 |
| Independence Academy Grand Junction, CO | 6.6 |
| Legacy Point Elementary School Parker, CO | 6.6 |
| SOAR at Green Valley Ranch Denver, CO | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dakota Valley Elementary School
What grades does Dakota Valley Elementary School serve?
Dakota Valley Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Dakota Valley Elementary School?
Dakota Valley Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 584 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dakota Valley Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Dakota Valley Elementary School is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dakota Valley Elementary School rank in CO?
Dakota Valley Elementary School ranks #785 of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Dakota Valley Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Dakota Valley Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 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 Dakota Valley Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Dakota Valley Elementary School has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Dakota Valley Elementary School a charter school?
No, Dakota Valley Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dakota Valley Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Dakota Valley Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dakota Valley Elementary School?
41.3% of students at Dakota Valley 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 584
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 41.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Arapahoe County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 20.5%
- Phone
- (720) 886-3000
Resources & Links
District
Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah- District Enrollment
- 51,808
- Schools in District
- 70
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,158
- District Rank
- #35 of 70
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 rateRelated 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.