Skip to main content

Below Average

#1457 of 1,815 schools in CO

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

4.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,457 of 1,815

In Aurora

#64 of 100

public schools

In district

#57 of 70

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

School environment

7.6 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Independence Elementary School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Independence Elementary School

4.6/10

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

Smoky Hill High School

7.0/10

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

Laredo Middle School

5.6/10

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

About Independence Elementary School

Independence Elementary School is a public elementary school in Aurora, CO, part of Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah. Independence Elementary School serves approximately 431 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Independence Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,457 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Independence Elementary School show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.0 pts below district
  • This school 4.6 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.6
  • CO avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

36% of students at Independence Elementary 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 Progress3.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.59 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.2Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25.6% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency25.6% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg-10.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.3 pts
Overall Proficiency26% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)29% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected-3.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
Resources & Environment7.6Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,158
Chronic Absenteeism36.4%

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 36.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.5% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 40.1% (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
85%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
91%
ELA
88%
2011
Math
63%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
63%
2013
Math
70%
ELA
66%
2014
Math
28%
ELA
36%
2015
Math
30%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
23%
ELA
27%
2017
Math
28%
ELA
23%
2018
Math
21%
ELA
26%
2019
Math
21%
ELA
26%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
22%
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: 3.1/10.

How Independence Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.6/10
20th percentile in CO
Academic
5.2/10
Average
Growth
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.6/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
36.4%

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

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. Trails West Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Centennial), which scores notably higher. Another option is Indian Ridge Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, AL-MINHAAL ACADEMY COLORADO (rated 7.6/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably 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 7.0
Laredo Middle School Aurora 0.5 mi 5.6
Indian Ridge Elementary School Aurora 0.7 mi 8.4
The Journey Preschool Aurora 0.7 mi 5.4
HOLY LOVE PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Aurora 0.8 mi 3.6
Mission Viejo Elementary School Aurora 1.1 mi 4.6
Meadow Point Elementary School Aurora 1.0 mi 4.8
Sagebrush Elementary School Aurora 1.1 mi 4.5
Cimarron Elementary School Aurora 1.4 mi 4.7
AL-MINHAAL ACADEMY COLORADO Aurora 1.5 mi 7.6
Trails West Elementary School Centennial 1.3 mi 8.5
Summit Elementary School Aurora 1.3 mi 4.9
Meadowood Child Development Center Aurora 1.8 mi 3.1
Horizon Middle School Aurora 1.6 mi 5.0
Dalton Elementary School Aurora 2.0 mi 5.7
Dartmouth Elementary School Aurora 2.1 mi 6.6
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF AURORA Centennial 1.8 mi
Columbia Middle School Aurora 2.1 mi 5.0
REGIS JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL Aurora 2.2 mi 5.7
Fox Hollow Elementary School Aurora 2.2 mi 6.0

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Compass Montessori - Wheat Ridge Charter School Wheat Ridge, CO 4.6
Fremont Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO 4.6
HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Grand Junction, CO 4.6
Mission Viejo Elementary School Aurora, CO 4.6
Monaco Elementary School Commerce City, CO 4.6
Mountainside Elementary School Fort Carson, CO 4.6

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 ranks #1,457 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Independence Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Independence Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 Independence Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Independence Elementary School has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
36.4%

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.