Very Good
#426 of 1,815 schools in CO
Top 23% in state
Explorer Elementary School
Elementary School · Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an
4190 BARDOT DRIVE, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Enrollment
453
Student-Teacher
17.4:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
453
Student-Teacher
17.4:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Colorado Springs
#40 of 180
public schools
Colorado elementary schools
#320 of 1,006
In district
#12 of 39
Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an
Equity
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Explorer Elementary School
Explorer Elementary School serves students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Colorado Springs, welcoming 453 students with a student-teacher ratio of 17.4:1. The school's 26 full-time equivalent teachers create an accessible learning environment in this large city setting. The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 7.7/10 and ranks #238 out of 1,831 schools statewide, placing it in the 87th percentile in Colorado.
Its academic score of 8.9/10 reflects solid performance across the curriculum. In English language arts and reading, 63% of students perform at or above proficiency levels, while 56% of students demonstrate proficiency or better in mathematics. These results show that while the school has room for growth in math, it maintains a strong foundation in literacy instruction.
Located at 4190 Bardot Drive, Explorer Elementary serves families in Colorado Springs who are seeking a public school with proven academic performance and accessible class sizes for their young learners.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Explorer Elementary School — Students at Explorer Elementary School score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
28.5%
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: 7.9/10.
How Explorer Elementary School Compares
See how Explorer Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 53% (2019) to 59.35% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 65% (2019) to 64.32% (2025).
Location
4190 BARDOT DRIVE, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Explorer Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Freedom Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Encompass Heights Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Pioneer Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Colorado Springs, see our Colorado Springs schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Timberview Middle School Colorado Springs | 0.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Liberty High School Colorado Springs | 0.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Frontier Elementary School Colorado Springs | 1.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Academy Endeavour Elementary School Colorado Springs | 0.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Academy International Elementary School Colorado Springs | 0.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Prairie Hills Elementary School Colorado Springs | 1.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Chinook Trail Elementary School Colorado Springs | 1.3 mi | 6.3 |
| New Summit Charter Academy Colorado Springs | 1.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Chinook Trail Middle School Colorado Springs | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| ROCKY MOUNTAIN MONTESSORI ACADEMY Colorado Springs | 1.4 mi | — |
| Ranch Creek Elementary Colorado Springs | 1.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Rampart High School Colorado Springs | 1.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Mountain Ridge Middle School Colorado Springs | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Pioneer Elementary School Colorado Springs | 2.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Freedom Elementary School Colorado Springs | 1.9 mi | 8.8 |
| Pine Creek High School Colorado Springs | 2.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Challenger Middle School Colorado Springs | 1.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Jenkins Middle School Colorado Springs | 2.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Mountain View Elementary School Colorado Springs | 1.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Encompass Heights Elementary School Colorado Springs | 2.4 mi | 8.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 80920 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$111,233
Median Home Value
$484,900
Median Rent
$1,955/mo
Population
38,154
College Educated
53%
Homeownership
67.4%
Avg Commute
22.2 min
Poverty Rate
5.5%
Median Age
36.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Explorer Elementary School has a median household income of $111,233. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $484,900, with a median rent of $1,955/month. The local poverty rate of 5.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Asbury Elementary School Denver, CO | 7.5 |
| Birch Elementary School Broomfield, CO | 7.5 |
| Buffalo Ridge Elementary School Castle Rock, CO | 7.5 |
| Coronado Elementary School Littleton, CO | 7.5 |
| Cotton Creek Elementary School Westminster, CO | 7.5 |
| Dennison Elementary School Lakewood, CO | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Explorer Elementary School
What grades does Explorer Elementary School serve?
Explorer Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Explorer Elementary School?
Explorer Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 453 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Explorer Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Explorer Elementary School is 17.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Explorer Elementary School rank in CO?
Explorer Elementary School is ranked #426 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Explorer Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Explorer Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Explorer Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Explorer Elementary School has 56.0% math proficiency and 63.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Explorer Elementary School a charter school?
No, Explorer Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Explorer Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Explorer Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Explorer Elementary School?
28.5% of students at Explorer 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
- Walk Score
- 43 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 18 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 54 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,194/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Colorado Springs). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 453
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 28.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- El Paso County
- Phone
- (719) 234-4400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an- District Enrollment
- 25,674
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,090
- District Rank
- #12 of 39
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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