Average
#1352 of 1,815 schools in CO
Polaris Expeditionary Learning School
School · Poudre School District R-1
1905 ORCHARD PLACE, Fort Collins, CO 80521
Enrollment
390
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
390
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Fort Collins
#38 of 45
public schools
Colorado schools
#79 of 130
In district
#46 of 51
Poudre School District R-1
School environment
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Polaris Expeditionary Learning School
Polaris Expeditionary Learning School serves 390 students from kindergarten through 12th grade as an alternative school in Fort Collins, Colorado. This unique educational option maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1 with 27 full-time equivalent teachers, creating smaller learning environments that support individualized attention. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #295 out of 1831 schools statewide, placing it in the 84th percentile.
With an academic score of 7.9 out of 10, Polaris shows particular strength in its overall educational approach. In mathematics, 44% of students achieve proficiency or above across all grade levels. As an alternative school serving students K-12, Polaris offers a different educational pathway than traditional schools, accommodating diverse learning needs and styles within Fort Collins' educational landscape.
The school is located in the 80521 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $51,712 and median home value reaches $494,700. The community shows strong educational values, with 61% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, though the area also faces economic diversity with a 31.9% poverty rate. Polaris operates within Fort Collins, a mid-size city that provides both urban amenities and access to Colorado's natural outdoor opportunities.
Score Breakdown
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Polaris Expeditionary Learning School — Students at Polaris Expeditionary Learning School score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
24.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 15 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: 6.2/10.
How Polaris Expeditionary Learning School Compares
See how Polaris Expeditionary Learning School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 35.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 63% (2019) to 59.88% (2025).
Location
1905 ORCHARD PLACE, Fort Collins, CO 80521
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Polaris Expeditionary Learning School may also want to explore other schools in the area. O'Dea Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Putnam Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Compass Community Collaborative School (rated 8.3/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fort Collins, see our Fort Collins schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Poudre High School Fort Collins | 0.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Bauder Elementary School Fort Collins | 0.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Bennett Elementary School Fort Collins | 1.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Putnam Elementary School Fort Collins | 1.1 mi | 8.9 |
| Poudre Community Academy Fort Collins | 1.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Blevins Middle School Fort Collins | 1.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Dunn Elementary School Fort Collins | 1.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Irish Elementary School Fort Collins | 1.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Lincoln Middle School Fort Collins | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Collins | 1.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Rocky Mountain High School Fort Collins | 2.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Compass Community Collaborative School Fort Collins | 2.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Centennial High School Fort Collins | 2.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Axis International Academy Fort Collins | 2.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Olander Elementary School Fort Collins | 2.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Beattie Elementary School Fort Collins | 2.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Harris Bilingual Elementary School Fort Collins | 2.2 mi | 6.4 |
| O'Dea Elementary School Fort Collins | 2.6 mi | 9.0 |
| PSD Global Academy Fort Collins | 2.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Lesher Middle School Fort Collins | 2.5 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 80521 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$52,679
Median Home Value
$541,300
Median Rent
$1,412/mo
Population
38,217
College Educated
62.7%
Homeownership
36.9%
Avg Commute
19.6 min
Poverty Rate
32%
Median Age
23
Community Profile
The community surrounding Polaris Expeditionary Learning School has a median household income of $52,679. It is a well-educated community where 63% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $541,300, with a median rent of $1,412/month. The area has a poverty rate of 32.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Collegiate Academy of Colorado Littleton, CO | 5.1 |
| ARMA DEI ACADEMY Highlands Ranch, CO | 5.6 |
| BELLEVIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Westminster, CO | 5.6 |
| Jefferson Academy Broomfield, CO | 5.7 |
| FLATIRONS ACADEMY West Minster, CO | 5.8 |
| Grand River Academy Grand Junction, CO | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Polaris Expeditionary Learning School
What grades does Polaris Expeditionary Learning School serve?
Polaris Expeditionary Learning School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Polaris Expeditionary Learning School?
Polaris Expeditionary Learning School has an enrollment of approximately 390 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Polaris Expeditionary Learning School?
The student-teacher ratio at Polaris Expeditionary Learning School is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Polaris Expeditionary Learning School rank in CO?
Polaris Expeditionary Learning School is ranked #1352 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Polaris Expeditionary Learning School's MySchoolScout rating?
Polaris Expeditionary Learning School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Polaris Expeditionary Learning School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Polaris Expeditionary Learning School has 41.6% math proficiency and 63.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Polaris Expeditionary Learning School a charter school?
No, Polaris Expeditionary Learning School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Polaris Expeditionary Learning School a Title I school?
No, Polaris Expeditionary Learning School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Polaris Expeditionary Learning School?
24.9% of students at Polaris Expeditionary Learning 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,442/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fort Collins). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 390
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 24.9%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Larimer County
- Phone
- (970) 488-8260
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Poudre School District R-1- District Enrollment
- 29,772
- Schools in District
- 52
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,995
- District Rank
- #46 of 51
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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