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Needs Improvement

#1765 of 1,815 schools in CO

Penrose Elementary School

Elementary School · Fremont Re-2

100 ILLINOIS, Penrose, CO 81240

Enrollment

309

Student-Teacher

16.3:1

Score

3.5

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado elementary schools

#977 of 1,006

In district

#3 of 3

Fremont Re-2

About Penrose Elementary School

Penrose Elementary School is a public elementary school located in the rural community of Penrose, Colorado. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 309 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.3:1 with 19 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Penrose Elementary is rated as needing improvement; it ranks 1702 out of 1831 schools in Colorado, placing it in the 7th percentile statewide.

Students perform around average for their grade level, with 29% proficient or above in ELA and reading, and 24% proficient or above in math. Despite these challenges, Penrose Elementary School remains committed to nurturing young minds and providing a supportive learning environment in its rural setting. The school focuses on developing strong foundational skills while also encouraging community involvement and student engagement.

With a small but dedicated teaching staff, the school offers personalized attention to help each child reach their potential. Penrose Elementary is deeply embedded in the local community, offering students a close-knit educational experience rooted in the heart of rural Colorado.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Penrose Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-2.71 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.2%
Math vs. State Avg-15.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-20.7 pts
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected-12.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,160

Penrose Elementary School — Students at Penrose Elementary School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 23.9%
School
State
38.3%
ELA Proficiency 29.3%
School
State
44.9%

Based on 15 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
37%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
22%
2025
Math
21%
ELA
25.3%

* 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: 2.9/10.

How Penrose Elementary School Compares

See how Penrose Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.5/10
3th percentile in CO
Academic
3.9/10
3.9/10
Growth
2.9/10
Below average
Environment
4.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

100 ILLINOIS, Penrose, CO 81240

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Penrose Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lincoln School of Science and Technology (rated 7.9/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Canon City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Harrison School (rated 7.8/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Canon City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, McKinley Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Canon City), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Penrose, see our Penrose schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Florence Jr./Sr. High School Florence 5.1 mi 4.8
Fremont Elementary School Florence 5.9 mi 3.6
FOUR MILE ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN Canon City 9.3 mi
CANON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Canon City 10.1 mi 6.0
Harrison School Canon City 10.6 mi 7.8
Mount View Core Knowledge Charter School Canon City 10.6 mi 6.9
McKinley Elementary School Canon City 10.6 mi 7.4
Canon City Middle School Canon City 11.6 mi 5.8
Canon City High School Canon City 11.8 mi 6.0
Lincoln School of Science and Technology Canon City 11.9 mi 7.9
Washington Elementary School Canon City 12.0 mi 6.5
Canon Exploratory School Canon City 12.4 mi 6.8
Cedar Ridge Elementary School Pueblo West 14.0 mi 6.6
Sky View Middle School Pueblo West 15.2 mi 6.6
Sierra Vista Elementary School Pueblo West 15.1 mi 7.4
Pueblo West High School Pueblo West 15.2 mi 6.1
Desert Sage Elementary School Pueblo West 16.5 mi 3.7
Swallows Charter Academy Pueblo West 16.4 mi 4.3
Swallows Charter Academy High School Pueblo West 16.4 mi 6.9
SOARING EAGLES CENTER FOR AUTISM Pueblo West 16.5 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 81240 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,514

Median Home Value

$282,300

Median Rent

$1,364/mo

Population

4,533

College Educated

29.3%

Homeownership

82.3%

Avg Commute

31.4 min

Poverty Rate

10.7%

Median Age

43.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Penrose Elementary School has a median household income of $79,514. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $282,300, with a median rent of $1,364/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.7%. The average commute for residents is 31 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
Abrams Elementary School Fort Carson, CO 3.5
Barnum Elementary School Denver, CO 3.5
Stone Creek School Edwards, CO 3.5
Villa Bella Expeditionary School Pueblo, CO 3.5
AXL Academy Aurora, CO 3.6
Academy of Arts and Knowledge Elementary Ft. Collins, CO 3.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Penrose Elementary School

What grades does Penrose Elementary School serve?

Penrose Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Penrose Elementary School?

Penrose Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 309 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Penrose Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Penrose Elementary School is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Penrose Elementary School rank in CO?

Penrose Elementary School is ranked #1765 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Penrose Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Penrose Elementary School 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 Penrose Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Penrose Elementary School has 23.9% math proficiency and 29.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Penrose Elementary School a charter school?

No, Penrose Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Penrose Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Penrose Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Penrose Elementary School?

54.0% of students at Penrose 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
309
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
54.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Fremont County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Fremont Re-2
District Enrollment
1,376
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,127
District Rank
#3 of 3

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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