Average
#1436 of 1,815 schools in CO
Kemper Elementary School
Elementary School · Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1
620 EAST MONTEZUMA, Cortez, CO 81321
Enrollment
347
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
347
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cortez
#8 of 9
public schools
Colorado elementary schools
#813 of 1,006
In district
#8 of 10
Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1
About Kemper Elementary School
Kemper Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the remote town of Cortez, Colorado. Serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade, Kemper has an enrollment of 347 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.5:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The academic performance at Kemper Elementary School shows room for improvement, with only 32% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 25% proficient or above in Math.
The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 4.0 out of 10, placing it at the 26th percentile among Colorado schools based on its state ranking of #1346 out of 1831. Despite these challenges, Kemper Elementary School remains a vital part of the Cortez community, providing educational support and resources to students in this remote area. The school is committed to fostering student development and growth, focusing on creating a nurturing environment for its young learners.
Kemper Elementary stands as an integral piece of the local education landscape in Cortez, Colorado.
Score Breakdown
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Kemper Elementary School — Students at Kemper Elementary School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.9%
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: 5.3/10.
How Kemper Elementary School Compares
See how Kemper Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 17% (2019) to 22.16% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 26.15% (2025).
Location
620 EAST MONTEZUMA, Cortez, CO 81321
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Kemper Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lewis-Arriola Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 9.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Children's Kiva Montessori School (rated 7.6/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Battle Rock Charter School (rated 6.8/10, 14.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cortez, see our Cortez schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 19.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Children's Kiva Montessori School Cortez | 0.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Beech Street Preschool Cortez | 0.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Montezuma-Cortez Middle School Cortez | 0.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Montezuma-Cortez High School Cortez | 1.0 mi | 5.6 |
| CORTEZ ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Cortez | 1.0 mi | — |
| Mesa Elementary School Cortez | 1.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Southwest Open Charter School Cortez | 1.2 mi | 7.2 |
| LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cortez | 2.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Lewis-Arriola Elementary School Cortez | 9.4 mi | 9.0 |
| Dolores Elementary School Dolores | 9.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Dolores High School Dolores | 9.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Dolores Middle School Dolores | 9.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Teddy Bear Preschool Dolores | 9.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Kwiyagat Community Academy Tawoac | 13.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Battle Rock Charter School Cortez | 14.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Mancos Middle School Mancos | 15.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Mancos High School Mancos | 15.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Mancos Elementary School Mancos | 15.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Mancos Early Learning Center Mancos | 15.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Pleasant View Charter School Pleasant View | 19.5 mi | 4.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 81321 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,737
Median Home Value
$259,500
Median Rent
$1,010/mo
Population
14,278
College Educated
27.6%
Homeownership
71.4%
Poverty Rate
11.9%
Median Age
42.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Kemper Elementary School has a median household income of $59,737. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $259,500, with a median rent of $1,010/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.9%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Aragon Elementary School Fountain, CO | 5.0 |
| Highland Elementary School Rifle, CO | 5.0 |
| Pete Mirich Elementary School Lasalle, CO | 5.0 |
| Polton Community Elementary School Aurora, CO | 5.0 |
| ST MARY LITTLETON Littleton, CO | 5.0 |
| Swansea Elementary School Denver, CO | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Kemper Elementary School
What grades does Kemper Elementary School serve?
Kemper Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Kemper Elementary School?
Kemper Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 347 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Kemper Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Kemper Elementary School is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Kemper Elementary School rank in CO?
Kemper Elementary School is ranked #1436 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Kemper Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Kemper Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Kemper Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kemper Elementary School has 24.8% math proficiency and 31.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Kemper Elementary School a charter school?
No, Kemper Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Kemper Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Kemper Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kemper Elementary School?
57.9% of students at Kemper 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
- City Safety
- High (3,421/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cortez). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 347
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 57.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Montezuma County
- Phone
- (970) 565-3737
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1- District Enrollment
- 2,505
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,684
- District Rank
- #8 of 10
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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