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Very Good

#559 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 31% in state

Independence Elementary School

Elementary School · Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah

4700 SOUTH MEMPHIS STREET, Aurora, CO 80015

Enrollment

431

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Aurora

#21 of 100

public schools

Colorado elementary schools

#389 of 1,006

In district

#27 of 70

Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah

School environment

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Independence Elementary School

Independence Elementary School is a regular public school located in Aurora, Colorado, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 431 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each child grow academically and socially. The dedicated teaching staff of 31 full-time equivalent teachers focuses on nurturing young minds in a large city setting.

According to MySchoolScout's rating system, Independence Elementary ranks 5.5 out of 10 overall, placing it at the 51st percentile among Colorado schools with a state ranking of #906 out of 1831 schools. The school’s academic score is 3.9 out of 10, indicating that there is room for improvement in areas like ELA and math, where only 25% and 21% of students are proficient or above, respectively. While the current test scores suggest a need for continued growth, Independence Elementary School remains committed to supporting its diverse student body as they navigate their educational journey.

The school sits in an urban environment within Aurora, providing access to city resources while fostering a close-knit community atmosphere.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.58 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.3Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25.6%
Math vs. State Avg-10.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.3 pts
Overall Proficiency26%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected-3.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,137

Independence Elementary School — Students at Independence Elementary School score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

66.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 21.4%
School
State
39.5%
ELA Proficiency 25.1%
School
State
44.9%

Based on 13 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
21%
ELA
26%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
22%
2025
Math
25.5%
ELA
25.6%

* 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: 7.8/10.

How Independence Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
69th percentile in CO
Academic
5.3/10
5.3/10
Growth
7.8/10
Above average
Environment
8.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers

Location

4700 SOUTH MEMPHIS STREET, Aurora, CO 80015

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Independence Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fox Hollow Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Trails West Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Centennial), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Dalton Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Aurora, see our Aurora schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Smoky Hill High School Aurora 0.3 mi 6.2
Laredo Middle School Aurora 0.5 mi 5.9
Indian Ridge Elementary School Aurora 0.7 mi 7.3
The Journey Preschool Aurora 0.7 mi 6.8
HOLY LOVE PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Aurora 0.8 mi 3.6
Mission Viejo Elementary School Aurora 1.1 mi 4.7
Meadow Point Elementary School Aurora 1.0 mi 7.2
Sagebrush Elementary School Aurora 1.1 mi 7.0
Cimarron Elementary School Aurora 1.4 mi 5.2
AL-MINHAAL ACADEMY COLORADO Aurora 1.5 mi 7.6
Trails West Elementary School Centennial 1.3 mi 8.3
Summit Elementary School Aurora 1.3 mi 6.1
Meadowood Child Development Center Aurora 1.8 mi 4.8
Horizon Middle School Aurora 1.6 mi 5.5
Dalton Elementary School Aurora 2.0 mi 7.7
Dartmouth Elementary School Aurora 2.1 mi 6.6
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF AURORA Centennial 1.8 mi
Columbia Middle School Aurora 2.1 mi 6.1
REGIS JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL Aurora 2.2 mi 5.7
Fox Hollow Elementary School Aurora 2.2 mi 8.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80015 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$121,640

Median Home Value

$558,900

Median Rent

$2,190/mo

Population

72,155

College Educated

49.3%

Homeownership

82.2%

Avg Commute

29.6 min

Poverty Rate

4.4%

Median Age

38.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Independence Elementary School has a median household income of $121,640. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $558,900, with a median rent of $2,190/month. The local poverty rate of 4.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Bayfield Intermediate School Bayfield, CO 7.2
Charles Hay World School Englewood, CO 7.2
Dakota Valley Elementary School Aurora, CO 7.2
Dunn Elementary School Fort Collins, CO 7.2
Elkhart Elementary School Aurora, CO 7.2
French Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Independence Elementary School

What grades does Independence Elementary School serve?

Independence Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Independence Elementary School?

Independence Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 431 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Independence Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Independence Elementary School is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Independence Elementary School rank in CO?

Independence Elementary School is ranked #559 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Independence Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Independence Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Independence Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Independence Elementary School has 21.4% math proficiency and 25.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Independence Elementary School a charter school?

No, Independence Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Independence Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Independence Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Independence Elementary School?

66.4% of students at Independence 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
39 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
31 Some Transit
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,074/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Aurora). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
431
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
66.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Arapahoe County
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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