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Needs Improvement

#1764 of 1,815 schools in CO

Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy

School · School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C

2250 SOUTH QUITMAN WAY, Denver, CO 80219

Enrollment

789

Student-Teacher

17.2:1

Score

3.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Denver

#217 of 222

public schools

Colorado schools

#127 of 130

In district

#194 of 196

School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C

About Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy

Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade in Denver, with an enrollment of 789 students. Located at 2250 South Quitman Way in a large urban setting, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.2:1 with 46 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school is currently facing significant academic challenges.

State assessments show that just 18 percent of students are proficient or above in ELA and reading, while only 12 percent meet proficiency benchmarks in math. These results place the school in the lower percentile range statewide, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 2.3 out of 10 and a state ranking of 1763 out of 1831 Colorado schools. This rating reflects the school's focus on academic growth and development areas that will require attention and support.

As a creative arts school within Denver's public education system, Kunsmiller serves families looking for an alternative approach to traditional K-12 education in the city's urban environment. Parents considering this school should weigh its current academic performance metrics carefully as part of their broader school search, keeping in mind that schools with lower test scores often serve diverse student populations or emphasize enrichment areas beyond standardized measures.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.2Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-2.33 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.2Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency9.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17.4%
Math vs. State Avg-26.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-27.5 pts
Overall Proficiency14%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected-8.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
College Readiness2.0Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation2.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.7Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,336

Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy — Students at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

80.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 11.6%
School
State
35.7%
ELA Proficiency 18.4%
School
State
45.5%

Based on 17 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
22%
ELA
34%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
10%
2025
Math
9.8%
ELA
16.3%

* 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: 3.2/10.

How Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy Compares

See how Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.5/10
3th percentile in CO
Academic
3.2/10
3.2/10
Growth
3.2/10
Below average
Environment
6.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
81%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
46 teachers

Location

2250 SOUTH QUITMAN WAY, Denver, CO 80219

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. DSST: College View High School (rated 9.1/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gust Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Doull Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Denver, see our Denver schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Doull Elementary School Denver 0.3 mi 8.6
Gust Elementary School Denver 0.8 mi 8.7
NOTRE DAME PARISH SCHOOL Denver 0.7 mi 6.1
Compass Academy Denver 0.7 mi 5.8
Respect Academy Denver 0.7 mi 5.3
Denison Montessori School Denver 0.8 mi 7.3
Johnson Elementary School Denver 0.8 mi 7.3
Abraham Lincoln High School Denver 0.7 mi 4.4
Force Elementary School Denver 1.0 mi 5.3
Excel Academy Denver 0.9 mi 4.8
Summit Academy Denver 0.9 mi 7.5
Sabin World School Denver 1.2 mi 8.5
Charles M. Schenck (CMS) Community School Denver 1.2 mi 5.7
College View Elementary School Denver 1.0 mi 6.1
DSST: College View High School Denver 1.3 mi 9.1
DSST: College View Middle School Denver 1.3 mi 5.7
Rocky Mountain Prep Ruby Hill Denver 1.2 mi 7.6
Rocky Mountain Prep Federal Denver 1.2 mi 6.4
Rocky Mountain Prep Westwood Denver 1.5 mi 7.9
Rocky Mountain Prep SMART Denver 1.5 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80219 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$67,325

Median Home Value

$426,200

Median Rent

$1,464/mo

Population

60,095

College Educated

21.9%

Homeownership

57.7%

Avg Commute

27.2 min

Poverty Rate

18.2%

Median Age

34.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy has a median household income of $67,325. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $426,200, with a median rent of $1,464/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.2%. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Destinations Career Academy of Colorado Westminster, CO 2.2
Grand River Academy Grand Junction, CO 4.8
Liberty Tree Academy Falcon, CO 4.8
Loveland Classical School Loveland, CO 4.8
Chavez/Huerta K-12 Preparatory Academy Pueblo, CO 5.0
Colorado Military Academy Colorado Springs, CO 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy

What grades does Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy serve?

Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy?

Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy has an enrollment of approximately 789 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy rank in CO?

Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy is ranked #1764 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy has a composite rating of 3.5 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 Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy has 11.6% math proficiency and 18.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy a charter school?

No, Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy a Title I school?

No, Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy?

80.5% of students at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy 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

City Safety
High (5,773/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
789
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
46
Free/Reduced Lunch
80.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Denver 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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