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Excellent

#130 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 7% in state

Downtown Denver Expeditionary School

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

1860 LINCOLN ST, Denver, CO 80203

Charter

Enrollment

243

Student-Teacher

13.5:1

Score

8.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#130 of 1,815

In Denver

#37 of 222

public schools

In district

#36 of 196

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

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Downtown Denver Expeditionary School

8.6/10

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

Emily Griffith High School

3.5/10

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

Polaris Elementary School

9.0/10

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

About Downtown Denver Expeditionary School

Downtown Denver Expeditionary School is a public elementary school in Denver, CO, part of School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C. Downtown Denver Expeditionary School serves approximately 243 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Downtown Denver Expeditionary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #130 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Downtown Denver Expeditionary School show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2025).

How it compares1.8 pts above district
  • This school 8.6 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.8
  • CO avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Downtown Denver Expeditionary School is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

34% of students at Downtown Denver Expeditionary 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 Progress9.5Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data10
Annual Change-0.35 pts/yr
Data Period2014–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.1Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.5% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.7% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg+10.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.2 pts
Overall Proficiency44% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)44% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected+0.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile57th
Resources & Environment8.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,206
Chronic Absenteeism34.2%

Downtown Denver Expeditionary School — Students at Downtown Denver Expeditionary School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

36.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 34.3% (multi-year average, 2014-2025)
School
State
39.5% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 48.5% (multi-year average, 2014-2025)
School
State
44.9% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 25 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2014
Math
34.5%
ELA
54.5%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
55%
2017
Math
35%
ELA
60%
2018
Math
34%
ELA
58%
2019
Math
34%
ELA
58%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
32%
2025
Math
46.8%
ELA
41.5%

* 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: 9.5/10.

How Downtown Denver Expeditionary School Compares

See how Downtown Denver Expeditionary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.6/10
93th percentile in CO
Academic
7.1/10
Very Good
Growth
9.5/10
Excellent
Environment
8.8/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
36%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1860 LINCOLN ST, Denver, CO 80203

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Downtown Denver Expeditionary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Polaris Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is MONTESSORI ACADEMY OF COLORADO (rated 8.2/10, 0.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Center for Talent Development at Greenlee (rated 6.4/10, 1.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Denver, see our Denver schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Emily Griffith High School Denver 0.0 mi 3.5
Polaris Elementary School Denver 0.3 mi 9.0
RiseUp Community School Denver 0.7 mi 5.0
University Prep - Arapahoe St. Denver 0.7 mi 5.3
MONTESSORI ACADEMY OF COLORADO Denver 0.7 mi 8.2
Morey Middle School Denver 0.7 mi 8.5
Denver School of Innovation and Sustainable Design Denver 0.7 mi 7.7
Whittier ECE-8 School Denver 0.8 mi 4.8
Compassion Road Academy Denver 1.0 mi 7.2
Contemporary Learning Academy Denver 1.1 mi 7.7
Denver Justice High School Denver 1.1 mi 7.0
West Middle School Denver 1.1 mi 5.5
West High School Denver 1.1 mi 5.7
Gilliam School Denver 1.1 mi
Center for Talent Development at Greenlee Denver 1.1 mi 6.4
Dora Moore ECE-8 School Denver 1.3 mi 5.2
Girls Athletic Leadership School Middle School Denver 1.3 mi 9.1
Girls Athletic Leadership School High School Denver 1.3 mi 8.3
Denver Center for 21st-Century Learning at Wyman Denver 1.1 mi 7.0
Manual High School Denver 1.2 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80203 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,654

Median Home Value

$462,500

Median Rent

$1,569/mo

Population

22,355

College Educated

69%

Homeownership

21.1%

Avg Commute

23.5 min

Poverty Rate

11.1%

Median Age

33.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Johnson Elementary School Fort Collins, CO 8.6
The Juniper School Durango, CO 8.6
Axis International Academy Fort Collins, CO 8.7
Bergen Valley Intermediate School Evergreen, CO 8.5
Bromwell Elementary School Denver, CO 8.5
Crested Butte Elementary School Crested Butte, CO 8.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Downtown Denver Expeditionary School

What grades does Downtown Denver Expeditionary School serve?

Downtown Denver Expeditionary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Downtown Denver Expeditionary School?

Downtown Denver Expeditionary School has an enrollment of approximately 243 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Downtown Denver Expeditionary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Downtown Denver Expeditionary 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 Downtown Denver Expeditionary School rank in CO?

Downtown Denver Expeditionary School ranks #130 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Downtown Denver Expeditionary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Downtown Denver Expeditionary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 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 Downtown Denver Expeditionary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Downtown Denver Expeditionary School has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2025).

Is Downtown Denver Expeditionary School a charter school?

Yes, Downtown Denver Expeditionary School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Downtown Denver Expeditionary School a Title I school?

No, Downtown Denver Expeditionary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Downtown Denver Expeditionary School?

36.2% of students at Downtown Denver Expeditionary 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
95 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
82 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
89 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
243
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
36.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Denver County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.2%

How we rate schools

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