Very Good
#469 of 1,815 schools in CO
Top 26% in state
Ponderosa Elementary
Elementary School · Thompson School District R-2J
4550 FLORENCE DRIVE, Loveland, CO 80538
Enrollment
353
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
353
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Loveland
#8 of 25
public schools
Colorado elementary schools
#342 of 1,006
In district
#9 of 31
Thompson School District R-2J
Academic performance
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Ponderosa Elementary
Ponderosa Elementary serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Loveland, a small city in Larimer County, Colorado. The school enrolls 353 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.8:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for reasonably individualized attention in classroom settings. Academically, Ponderosa ranks in the 76th percentile among Colorado schools, placing it at #432 out of 1,831 statewide.
The school holds a MySchoolScout Rating of 7.1 out of 10. In reading and language arts, 58% of students across grade levels are proficient or above, showing solid performance in literacy. Mathematics presents an area with room for growth, with 43% of students demonstrating proficiency or above across the grade span.
The school's overall academic score is 7.9 out of 10, reflecting a mixed but generally above-average performance profile. Ponderosa's moderate enrollment size and staffing levels create an environment where elementary students can benefit from a balance between community feel and adequate resources. Located at 4550 Florence Drive, the school serves the Loveland area, a welcoming small city community for families seeking a traditional public school experience.
Score Breakdown
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Ponderosa Elementary — Students at Ponderosa Elementary score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
33.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 13 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: 7.1/10.
How Ponderosa Elementary Compares
See how Ponderosa Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 46.75% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 60.36% (2025).
Location
4550 FLORENCE DRIVE, Loveland, CO 80538
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ponderosa Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Coyote Ridge Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Fort Collins), which scores notably higher. Another option is Garfield Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 3.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Namaqua Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 3.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Loveland, see our Loveland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lucile Erwin Middle School Loveland | 0.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Centennial Elementary School Loveland | 1.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Harold Ferguson High School Loveland | 2.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Loveland | 2.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Loveland High School Loveland | 2.2 mi | 8.0 |
| ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Loveland | 2.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Laurene Edmondson Elementary School Loveland | 2.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Namaqua Elementary School Loveland | 3.1 mi | 7.7 |
| IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Loveland | 2.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Thompson Integrated Early Childhood Loveland | 2.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Garfield Elementary School Loveland | 3.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Thompson Valley High School Loveland | 3.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Walt Clark Middle School Loveland | 3.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Sarah Milner Elementary School Loveland | 3.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Loveland Classical School Loveland | 4.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Peakview Academy at Conrad Ball Loveland | 3.3 mi | 3.7 |
| Coyote Ridge Elementary School Fort Collins | 3.8 mi | 9.0 |
| Truscott Elementary School Loveland | 3.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Bill Reed Middle School Loveland | 3.8 mi | 5.4 |
| CHRISTIAN CORE ACADEMY Fort Collins | 4.2 mi | 4.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 80538 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$85,057
Median Home Value
$472,200
Median Rent
$1,730/mo
Population
49,183
College Educated
42.5%
Homeownership
69%
Avg Commute
26.7 min
Poverty Rate
8%
Median Age
43.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ponderosa Elementary has a median household income of $85,057. It is a well-educated community where 43% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $472,200, with a median rent of $1,730/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Asbury Elementary School Denver, CO | 7.5 |
| Birch Elementary School Broomfield, CO | 7.5 |
| Coronado Elementary School Littleton, CO | 7.5 |
| Emerald Elementary School Broomfield, CO | 7.5 |
| Explorer Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO | 7.5 |
| Fox Creek Elementary School Highlands Ranch, CO | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ponderosa Elementary
What grades does Ponderosa Elementary serve?
Ponderosa Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Ponderosa Elementary?
Ponderosa Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 353 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ponderosa Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Ponderosa Elementary is 16.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ponderosa Elementary rank in CO?
Ponderosa Elementary is ranked #469 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Ponderosa Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Ponderosa Elementary has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Ponderosa Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ponderosa Elementary has 42.6% math proficiency and 58.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ponderosa Elementary a charter school?
No, Ponderosa Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ponderosa Elementary a Title I school?
No, Ponderosa Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ponderosa Elementary?
33.7% of students at Ponderosa Elementary 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Loveland). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 353
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 33.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Larimer County
- Phone
- (970) 679-9500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Thompson School District R-2J- District Enrollment
- 14,907
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,678
- District Rank
- #9 of 31
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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