Average
#1041 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
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
331
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Denver
#135 of 222
public schools
Colorado elementary schools
#627 of 1,006
In district
#22 of 53
Adams 12 Five Star Schools
Academic growth
7.0 / 10
Strong
About North Star Elementary School
North Star Elementary School is a public elementary school nestled in the suburbs of Denver, Colorado. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, North Star has an enrollment of 331 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 3.2 out of 10, placing it in the 13th percentile among Colorado schools based on its state ranking of #1592 out of 1831.
Academically, North Star Elementary shows room for improvement with an ELA proficiency rate of 17% and a math proficiency rate of 14%, both below average. The school is focused on student development and continuous academic growth to support its diverse community of learners. Located in the bustling suburbs of Adams County, North Star Elementary School serves as a cornerstone for the local neighborhood, providing a nurturing educational environment for young students.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at North Star Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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North Star Elementary School — Students at North Star Elementary School score 14% proficient, which is below 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 10 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: 7.0/10.
How North Star Elementary School Compares
See how North Star Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 14% (2019) to 12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 15.7% (2025).
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. Sherrelwood Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Metropolitan Arts Academy (rated 7.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, STEM Launch (rated 7.6/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Thornton), 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 | 3.2 |
| Sherrelwood Elementary School Denver | 0.9 mi | 7.8 |
| North Mor Elementary School Northglenn | 1.1 mi | 5.2 |
| New America School - Thornton Thornton | 0.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Thornton High School Thornton | 1.0 mi | 6.7 |
| STEM Launch Thornton | 1.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Adventure Elementary Denver | 1.3 mi | 3.1 |
| McElwain Elementary School Thornton | 1.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Thornton Middle School Thornton | 1.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Thornton Elementary School Thornton | 1.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Coronado Hills Elementary School Thornton | 1.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Metropolitan Arts Academy Denver | 1.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Global Leadership Academy Denver | 1.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Global Intermediate Academy Denver | 1.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Global Primary Academy Denver | 1.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Northglenn High School Northglenn | 1.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Welby Community School of the Arts Denver | 1.5 mi | 2.5 |
| Performing Arts School on Broadway Denver | 1.7 mi | — |
| Mapleton Online Denver | 1.7 mi | — |
| Federal Heights Elementary School Denver | 1.7 mi | 6.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding North Star Elementary School has a median household income of $84,425. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $449,700, with a median rent of $1,642/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| ASPEN COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Aspen, CO | 6.1 |
| Carbon Valley Academy Frederick, CO | 6.1 |
| College View Elementary School Denver, CO | 6.1 |
| Colorado Virtual Academy Lakewood, CO | 6.1 |
| Crystal River Elementary School Carbondale, CO | 6.1 |
| Eagle County Charter Academy Edwards, CO | 6.1 |
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 is ranked #1041 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is North Star Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
North Star Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 North Star Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Star Elementary School has 13.8% math proficiency and 16.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (5,773/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Denver). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (720) 972-5560
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Adams 12 Five Star Schools- District Enrollment
- 34,998
- Schools in District
- 54
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,748
- District Rank
- #22 of 53
Other Schools in This District
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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