Very Good
#539 of 1,815 schools in CO
Top 30% in state
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
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
390
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Colorado schools
#539 of 1,815
In Fort Collins
#25 of 45
public schools
In district
#29 of 51
Poudre School District R-1
Academic growth
8.9 / 10
Excellent
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Polaris Expeditionary Learning School
School in Fort Collins · grades Kindergarten – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Poudre High School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bauder Elementary School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Polaris Expeditionary Learning School
Polaris Expeditionary Learning School is a public school in Fort Collins, CO, part of Poudre School District R-1. Polaris Expeditionary Learning School serves approximately 390 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th, and has a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Polaris Expeditionary Learning School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #539 of 1,815 schools in CO.
Structured state assessment records for Polaris Expeditionary Learning School show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.4 · Very Good
- District avg 7.4
- CO avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
34% of students at Polaris Expeditionary Learning 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 · 4/4 metricsView 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 37 test records from CO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 8.9/10.
How Polaris Expeditionary Learning School Compares
See how Polaris Expeditionary Learning School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Axis International Academy (rated 8.7/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dunn Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, O'Dea Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 2.6 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 | 6.8 |
| Bauder Elementary School Fort Collins | 0.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Bennett Elementary School Fort Collins | 1.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Putnam Elementary School Fort Collins | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Poudre Community Academy Fort Collins | 1.1 mi | 3.7 |
| Blevins Middle School Fort Collins | 1.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Dunn Elementary School Fort Collins | 1.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Irish Elementary School Fort Collins | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Lincoln Middle School Fort Collins | 1.5 mi | 6.7 |
| ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Collins | 1.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Rocky Mountain High School Fort Collins | 2.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Compass Community Collaborative School Fort Collins | 2.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Centennial High School Fort Collins | 2.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Axis International Academy Fort Collins | 2.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Olander Elementary School Fort Collins | 2.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Beattie Elementary School Fort Collins | 2.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Harris Bilingual Elementary School Fort Collins | 2.2 mi | 6.9 |
| O'Dea Elementary School Fort Collins | 2.6 mi | 8.5 |
| PSD Global Academy Fort Collins | 2.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Lesher Middle School Fort Collins | 2.5 mi | 7.6 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ALEXANDER DAWSON SCHOOL Lafayette, CO | 7.5 |
| DENVER ACADEMY Denver, CO | 7.3 |
| Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning Denver, CO | 7.6 |
| THE COLORADO SPRINGS SCHOOL Colorado Springs, CO | 7.2 |
| VAIL MOUNTAIN SCHOOL Vail, CO | 7.2 |
| DAYSPRING CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Greeley, CO | 7.1 |
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 ranks #539 of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Polaris Expeditionary Learning School's MySchoolScout rating?
Polaris Expeditionary Learning School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 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 Polaris Expeditionary Learning School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Polaris Expeditionary Learning School has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 34.4%
- Phone
- (970) 488-8260
- 4-Year Graduation
- 90%+
Resources & Links
District
Poudre School District R-1- District Enrollment
- 29,772
- Schools in District
- 52
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,995
- District Rank
- #29 of 51
Other Schools in This District
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