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Below Average

#1604 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

4.0

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,604 of 1,815

In district

#3 of 3

Fremont Re-2

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Penrose Elementary School

4.0/10

Elementary School in Penrose · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Florence Jr./sr. High School

6.1/10

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

Fremont Elementary School

4.4/10

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

About Penrose Elementary School

Penrose Elementary School is a public elementary school in Penrose, CO, part of Fremont Re-2. Penrose Elementary School serves approximately 309 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Penrose Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,604 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Penrose Elementary School show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 4.0 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.2
  • CO avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Penrose Elementary 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.

33% of students at Penrose 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 metrics
Student Progress3.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.26 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.8% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.2% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg-15.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-20.7 pts
Overall Proficiency22% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)35% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected-12.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
Resources & Environment4.7Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,127
Chronic Absenteeism33.3%

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 39.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
38.3% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 45.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
44.9% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 37 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
92%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
37%
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: 3.9/10.

How Penrose Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.0/10
12th percentile in CO
Academic
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.7/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.3%

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

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 7.6/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Canon City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Canon Exploratory School (rated 7.5/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Canon City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mount View Core Knowledge Charter School (rated 6.3/10, 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 6.1
Fremont Elementary School Florence 5.9 mi 4.4
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 5.8
Mount View Core Knowledge Charter School Canon City 10.6 mi 6.3
McKinley Elementary School Canon City 10.6 mi 5.5
Canon City Middle School Canon City 11.6 mi 5.6
Canon City High School Canon City 11.8 mi 6.1
Lincoln School of Science and Technology Canon City 11.9 mi 7.6
Washington Elementary School Canon City 12.0 mi 4.7
Canon Exploratory School Canon City 12.4 mi 7.5
Cedar Ridge Elementary School Pueblo West 14.0 mi 6.2
Sky View Middle School Pueblo West 15.2 mi 4.0
Sierra Vista Elementary School Pueblo West 15.1 mi 5.8
Pueblo West High School Pueblo West 15.2 mi 6.4
Desert Sage Elementary School Pueblo West 16.5 mi 3.2
Swallows Charter Academy Pueblo West 16.4 mi 4.4
Swallows Charter Academy High School Pueblo West 16.4 mi 7.1
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bessemer Elementary School Pueblo, CO 4.0
Boston K-8 School Aurora, CO 4.0
Burlington Elementary School Burlington, CO 4.0
Campbell Elementary School Sterling, CO 4.0
Carbon Valley Academy Frederick, CO 4.0
Elk Creek Elementary New Castle, CO 4.0

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 ranks #1,604 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Penrose Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Penrose Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 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 Penrose Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Penrose Elementary School has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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 →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.3%

District

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

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