Very Good
#486 of 1,815 schools in CO
Top 27% 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
Enrollment
243
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
243
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Denver
#70 of 222
public schools
Colorado elementary schools
#351 of 1,006
In district
#67 of 196
School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C
School environment
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Downtown Denver Expeditionary School
Downtown Denver Expeditionary School is a public charter elementary serving kindergarten through fifth grade in Denver's Lincoln Street corridor. With 243 students and 18 full-time teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1, allowing for more individualized attention in a smaller learning community. Academically, the school is working toward strengthening student performance, with 45% of students achieving proficiency or above in ELA/reading and 38% in math across grade levels.
The school's MySchoolScout rating of 7.0/10 places it at the 76th percentile statewide, ranking #447 out of 1,831 Colorado schools. This reflects a school focused on student development with room for academic growth. As a charter school, Downtown Denver Expeditionary School operates with a specific educational approach designed to engage learners through hands-on, real-world learning experiences.
The school's location in downtown Denver connects it to the vibrant urban community and resources the city has to offer.
What Parents Should Know
Downtown Denver Expeditionary School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Downtown Denver Expeditionary School — Students at Downtown Denver Expeditionary School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.2%
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: 7.0/10.
How Downtown Denver Expeditionary School Compares
See how Downtown Denver Expeditionary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 34% (2019) to 46.49% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 58% (2019) to 41.74% (2025).
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. MONTESSORI ACADEMY OF COLORADO (rated 8.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Polaris Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 0.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Whittier ECE-8 School (rated 5.6/10, 0.8 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 | 5.6 |
| Polaris Elementary School Denver | 0.3 mi | 7.6 |
| RiseUp Community School Denver | 0.7 mi | 6.2 |
| University Prep - Arapahoe St. Denver | 0.7 mi | 4.9 |
| MONTESSORI ACADEMY OF COLORADO Denver | 0.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Morey Middle School Denver | 0.7 mi | 8.4 |
| Denver School of Innovation and Sustainable Design Denver | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Whittier ECE-8 School Denver | 0.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Compassion Road Academy Denver | 1.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Contemporary Learning Academy Denver | 1.1 mi | 8.5 |
| Denver Justice High School Denver | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| West Middle School Denver | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| West High School Denver | 1.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Gilliam School Denver | 1.1 mi | — |
| Center for Talent Development at Greenlee Denver | 1.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Dora Moore ECE-8 School Denver | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Girls Athletic Leadership School Middle School Denver | 1.3 mi | 8.7 |
| Girls Athletic Leadership School High School Denver | 1.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Denver Center for 21st-Century Learning at Wyman Denver | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Manual High School Denver | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Downtown Denver Expeditionary School has a median household income of $74,654. It is a well-educated community where 69% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $462,500, with a median rent of $1,569/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Loma Elementary School Loma, CO | 7.4 |
| McKinley Elementary School Canon City, CO | 7.4 |
| Asbury Elementary School Denver, CO | 7.5 |
| Birch Elementary School Broomfield, CO | 7.5 |
| Cardinal Community Academy Charter School Keenesburg, CO | 7.5 |
| Meeker Elementary School Meeker, CO | 7.5 |
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 is ranked #486 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Downtown Denver Expeditionary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Downtown Denver Expeditionary School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Downtown Denver Expeditionary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Downtown Denver Expeditionary School has 37.6% math proficiency and 44.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 95 Walker's Paradise
- Transit Score
- 82 Excellent Transit
- Bike Score
- 89 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (5,773/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Denver). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (720) 424-2350
- 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
- #67 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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