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Excellent

#154 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 8% in state

Murphy Creek K-8 School

Elementary School · Aurora Joint District No. 28 of the counties of Adams and A

1400 S OLD TOM MORRIS ROAD, Aurora, CO 80018

Enrollment

784

Student-Teacher

17.4:1

Score

8.5

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#154 of 1,815

In Aurora

#4 of 100

public schools

In district

#2 of 56

Aurora Joint District No. 28 of the counties of Adams and A

Equity

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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Murphy Creek K-8 School

8.5/10

Elementary School in Aurora · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory

7.5/10

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

Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory

6.5/10

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

About Murphy Creek K-8 School

Murphy Creek K-8 School is a public elementary school in Aurora, CO, part of Aurora Joint District No. 28 of the counties of Adams and A. Murphy Creek K-8 School serves approximately 784 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 17.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Murphy Creek K-8 School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranks #154 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Murphy Creek K-8 School show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares3.1 pts above district
  • This school 8.5 · Excellent
  • District avg 5.4
  • CO avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Murphy Creek K-8 School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.98 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency53.3% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.9% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg+17.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+13 pts
Overall Proficiency56% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected+21.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
Resources & Environment7.2Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,118
Chronic Absenteeism28.1%

Murphy Creek K-8 School — Students at Murphy Creek K-8 School score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 52.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
37.4% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 61.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
45.5% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 41 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
89%
ELA
89%
2010
Math
88%
ELA
88%
2011
Math
58%
ELA
65%
2012
Math
56%
ELA
66%
2013
Math
60%
ELA
71%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
46%
2015
Math
41%
ELA
53%
2016
Math
46%
ELA
61%
2017
Math
44%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
48%
ELA
56%
2019
Math
48%
ELA
56%
2020*
Math
37%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
43%
2025
Math
53.5%
ELA
58.1%

* 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: 8.7/10.

How Murphy Creek K-8 School Compares

See how Murphy Creek K-8 School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.5/10
92th percentile in CO
Academic
9.1/10
Excellent
Growth
8.7/10
Excellent
Environment
7.2/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
45 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
28.1%

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

1400 S OLD TOM MORRIS ROAD, Aurora, CO 80018

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Murphy Creek K-8 School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Harmony Ridge P-8 (rated 8.3/10, 2.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Mountain Vista Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Centennial), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory (rated 7.5/10, 2.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Aurora, see our Aurora schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory Aurora 2.0 mi 7.5
Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory Aurora 2.3 mi 6.5
Harmony Ridge P-8 Aurora 2.8 mi 8.3
Aurora Frontier K-8 Aurora 2.9 mi 6.4
Side Creek Elementary School Aurora 3.0 mi 3.3
Dakota Valley Elementary School Aurora 3.6 mi 6.6
Mountain Vista Elementary School Centennial 4.1 mi 8.3
Arrowhead Elementary School Aurora 3.5 mi 3.8
Sunrise Elementary School Aurora 4.1 mi 3.6
Sky Vista Middle School Aurora 4.4 mi 4.5
PEACE WITH CHRIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aurora 4.0 mi 6.7
Buffalo Trail Elementary School Aurora 4.8 mi 5.8
Vassar Elementary School Aurora 3.8 mi 6.2
CHRIST OUR REDEEMER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Aurora 3.8 mi 4.2
Infinity Middle School Aurora 4.8 mi 8.2
Eaglecrest High School Centennial 4.8 mi 7.1
Aspen Crossing Elementary School Centennial 4.6 mi 6.1
Rangeview High School Aurora 3.9 mi 6.4
Clyde Miller K-8 Aurora 4.6 mi 5.1
Mrachek Middle School Aurora 3.9 mi 3.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80018 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$127,390

Median Home Value

$558,800

Median Rent

$2,542/mo

Population

17,129

College Educated

39.9%

Homeownership

88.9%

Avg Commute

29.7 min

Poverty Rate

5.1%

Median Age

34.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bradley International School Denver, CO 8.5
Global Village Academy - North Thornton, CO 8.5
Mitchell Elementary School Golden, CO 8.5
Buffalo Ridge Elementary School Castle Rock, CO 8.4
Challenge to Excellence Charter School Parker, CO 8.6
Discovery Canyon Campus Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO 8.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Murphy Creek K-8 School

What grades does Murphy Creek K-8 School serve?

Murphy Creek K-8 School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Murphy Creek K-8 School?

Murphy Creek K-8 School has an enrollment of approximately 784 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Murphy Creek K-8 School?

The student-teacher ratio at Murphy Creek K-8 School is 17.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Murphy Creek K-8 School rank in CO?

Murphy Creek K-8 School ranks #154 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Murphy Creek K-8 School's MySchoolScout rating?

Murphy Creek K-8 School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 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 Murphy Creek K-8 School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Murphy Creek K-8 School has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Murphy Creek K-8 School a charter school?

No, Murphy Creek K-8 School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Murphy Creek K-8 School a Title I school?

No, Murphy Creek K-8 School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Murphy Creek K-8 School?

55.5% of students at Murphy Creek K-8 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
14 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
784
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
45
Free/Reduced Lunch
55.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Arapahoe County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
28.1%

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