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Very Good

#405 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 22% 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

7.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#405 of 1,815

In Colorado Springs

#39 of 180

public schools

In district

#21 of 39

Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an

Equity

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Explorer Elementary School

7.7/10

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

Timberview Middle School

6.6/10

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

Liberty High School

7.6/10

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

About Explorer Elementary School

Explorer Elementary School is a public elementary school in Colorado Springs, CO, part of Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an. Explorer Elementary School serves approximately 453 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 17.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Explorer Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #405 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Explorer Elementary School show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts above district
  • This school 7.7 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.3
  • CO avg 6.3

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.78 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency59.4% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.3% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg+23.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+19.4 pts
Overall Proficiency62% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected+13.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile88th
Resources & Environment5.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,090
Chronic Absenteeism20.3%

Explorer Elementary School — Students at Explorer Elementary School score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

28.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 64.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.5% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 69.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
44.9% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 35 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
98%
ELA
97%
2010
Math
96%
ELA
96%
2011
Math
83%
ELA
85%
2012
Math
86%
ELA
84%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
51%
ELA
59%
2015
Math
48%
ELA
54%
2016
Math
53%
ELA
56%
2017
Math
56%
ELA
58%
2018
Math
53%
ELA
65%
2019
Math
53%
ELA
65%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
47%
2025
Math
60%
ELA
64.5%

* 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: 7.7/10.

How Explorer Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.7/10
78th percentile in CO
Academic
9.2/10
Excellent
Growth
7.7/10
Very Good
Environment
5.4/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
29%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.3%

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

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. Encompass Heights Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Chinook Trail Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Ranch Creek Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 6.6
Liberty High School Colorado Springs 0.7 mi 7.6
Frontier Elementary School Colorado Springs 1.0 mi 4.8
Academy Endeavour Elementary School Colorado Springs 0.9 mi 6.1
Academy International Elementary School Colorado Springs 0.9 mi 6.4
Prairie Hills Elementary School Colorado Springs 1.1 mi 7.0
Chinook Trail Elementary School Colorado Springs 1.3 mi 8.3
New Summit Charter Academy Colorado Springs 1.3 mi 7.8
Chinook Trail Middle School Colorado Springs 1.3 mi 7.6
ROCKY MOUNTAIN MONTESSORI ACADEMY Colorado Springs 1.4 mi
Ranch Creek Elementary Colorado Springs 1.4 mi 7.9
Rampart High School Colorado Springs 1.4 mi 7.8
Mountain Ridge Middle School Colorado Springs 1.5 mi 6.1
Pioneer Elementary School Colorado Springs 2.0 mi 7.8
Freedom Elementary School Colorado Springs 1.9 mi 7.1
Pine Creek High School Colorado Springs 2.0 mi 7.8
Challenger Middle School Colorado Springs 1.9 mi 6.9
Jenkins Middle School Colorado Springs 2.2 mi 5.6
Mountain View Elementary School Colorado Springs 1.9 mi 7.4
Encompass Heights Elementary School Colorado Springs 2.4 mi 8.9

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Academy for Advanced and Creative Learning Colorado Springs, CO 7.7
Copper Mesa Elementary School Highlands Ranch, CO 7.7
Eagle Ridge Elementary School Lone Tree, CO 7.7
Inspiration View Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO 7.7
Ivy Stockwell Elementary School Berthoud, CO 7.7
Martin Luther King Jr Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO 7.7

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 ranks #405 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Explorer Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Explorer Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 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 Explorer Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Explorer Elementary School has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
43 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
18 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
54 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.3%

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