Average
#1146 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
5.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
347
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Colorado schools
#1,146 of 1,815
In Cortez
#4 of 9
public schools
In district
#4 of 10
Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1
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Kemper Elementary School
Elementary School in Cortez · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Children's Kiva Montessori School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Beech Street Preschool
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Kemper Elementary School
Kemper Elementary School is a public elementary school in Cortez, CO, part of Montezuma-Cortez School District No. Re-1. Kemper Elementary School serves approximately 347 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio.
Kemper Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,146 of 1,815 schools in CO. Structured state assessment records for Kemper Elementary School show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.5 · Average
- District avg 5.7
- CO avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Kemper Elementary School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
42% of students at Kemper 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 35 test records from CO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.6/10.
How Kemper Elementary School Compares
See how Kemper Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 8.2/10, 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, Dolores Elementary School (rated 5.5/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Dolores), with a very similar rating. 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 | 3.4 |
| Montezuma-Cortez Middle School Cortez | 0.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Montezuma-Cortez High School Cortez | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| CORTEZ ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Cortez | 1.0 mi | — |
| Mesa Elementary School Cortez | 1.3 mi | 3.7 |
| Southwest Open Charter School Cortez | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cortez | 2.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Lewis-Arriola Elementary School Cortez | 9.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Dolores Elementary School Dolores | 9.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Dolores High School Dolores | 9.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Dolores Middle School Dolores | 9.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Teddy Bear Preschool Dolores | 9.9 mi | 3.7 |
| Kwiyagat Community Academy Tawoac | 13.4 mi | 4.0 |
| Battle Rock Charter School Cortez | 14.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Mancos Middle School Mancos | 15.6 mi | 3.4 |
| Mancos High School Mancos | 15.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Mancos Elementary School Mancos | 15.7 mi | 3.8 |
| Mancos Early Learning Center Mancos | 15.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Pleasant View Charter School Pleasant View | 19.5 mi | 3.9 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Colorado Sports Leadership Academy Denver, CO | 5.5 |
| Dolores Elementary School Dolores, CO | 5.5 |
| Foothills Elementary School Lakewood, CO | 5.5 |
| Foster Dual Language PK-8 Arvada, CO | 5.5 |
| Free Horizon Montessori Golden, CO | 5.5 |
| Granby Elementary School Granby, CO | 5.5 |
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 ranks #1,146 of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Kemper Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Kemper Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 Kemper Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Kemper Elementary School has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 41.5%
- Phone
- (970) 565-3737
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
- #4 of 10
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