Average
#1278 of 1,815 schools in CO
North Star Elementary School
Elementary School · Adams 12 Five Star Schools
8740 NORTH STAR DRIVE, Denver, CO 80221
Enrollment
331
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
331
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Colorado schools
#1,278 of 1,815
In Denver
#168 of 222
public schools
In district
#26 of 53
Adams 12 Five Star Schools
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North Star Elementary School
Elementary School in Denver · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
The Pinnacle Charter School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Sherrelwood Elementary School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About North Star Elementary School
North Star Elementary School is a public elementary school in Denver, CO, part of Adams 12 Five Star Schools. North Star Elementary School serves approximately 331 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. North Star Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,278 of 1,815 schools in CO.
Structured state assessment records for North Star Elementary School show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.2 · Average
- District avg 5.8
- CO avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
51% of students at North Star 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
North Star Elementary School — Students at North Star Elementary School score 17% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
92.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 32 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: 5.7/10.
How North Star Elementary School Compares
See how North Star 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
8740 NORTH STAR DRIVE, Denver, CO 80221
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering North Star Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. STEM Launch (rated 8.1/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Thornton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sherrelwood Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Global Primary Academy (rated 7.4/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Denver, see our Denver schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| The Pinnacle Charter School Federal Heights | 0.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Sherrelwood Elementary School Denver | 0.9 mi | 7.6 |
| North Mor Elementary School Northglenn | 1.1 mi | 5.3 |
| New America School - Thornton Thornton | 0.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Thornton High School Thornton | 1.0 mi | 4.6 |
| STEM Launch Thornton | 1.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Adventure Elementary Denver | 1.3 mi | 3.2 |
| McElwain Elementary School Thornton | 1.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Thornton Middle School Thornton | 1.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Thornton Elementary School Thornton | 1.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Coronado Hills Elementary School Thornton | 1.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Metropolitan Arts Academy Denver | 1.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Global Leadership Academy Denver | 1.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Global Intermediate Academy Denver | 1.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Global Primary Academy Denver | 1.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Northglenn High School Northglenn | 1.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Welby Community School of the Arts Denver | 1.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Performing Arts School on Broadway Denver | 1.7 mi | — |
| Mapleton Online Denver | 1.7 mi | — |
| Federal Heights Elementary School Denver | 1.7 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 80221 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$84,425
Median Home Value
$449,700
Median Rent
$1,642/mo
Population
40,938
College Educated
27.8%
Homeownership
68.4%
Avg Commute
27.5 min
Poverty Rate
10%
Median Age
34.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cottonwood Plains Elementary School Ft. Collins, CO | 5.2 |
| Dora Moore ECE-8 School Denver, CO | 5.2 |
| Estes Park K-5 School Estes Park, CO | 5.2 |
| GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL Denver, CO | 5.2 |
| Northridge Elementary School Longmont, CO | 5.2 |
| Rocky Mountain Elementary School Clifton, CO | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about North Star Elementary School
What grades does North Star Elementary School serve?
North Star Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend North Star Elementary School?
North Star Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 331 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at North Star Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at North Star Elementary School is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does North Star Elementary School rank in CO?
North Star Elementary School ranks #1,278 of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is North Star Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
North Star Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 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 North Star Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, North Star Elementary School has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is North Star Elementary School a charter school?
No, North Star Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is North Star Elementary School a Title I school?
No, North Star Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Star Elementary School?
92.1% of students at North Star 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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 331
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 92.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Adams County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 51.4%
- Phone
- (720) 972-5560
Resources & Links
District
Adams 12 Five Star Schools- District Enrollment
- 34,998
- Schools in District
- 54
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,748
- District Rank
- #26 of 53
Other Schools in This District
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