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#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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.2Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.35 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.1Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency59.9%
Math vs. State Avg-0.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15 pts
Overall Proficiency48%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected-2.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
College Readiness1.6Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation1.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,223

Polaris Expeditionary Learning School — Students at Polaris Expeditionary Learning School score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

24.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 41.6%
School
State
36.5%
ELA Proficiency 63.3%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 15 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
44%
ELA
63%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
44%
2025
Math
40.6%
ELA
62.6%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.3/10
26th percentile in CO
Academic
7.1/10
7.1/10
Growth
6.2/10
Above average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
25%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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