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Very Good

#349 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 19% 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

7.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#349 of 1,815

In Loveland

#3 of 25

public schools

In district

#3 of 31

Thompson School District R-2J

Equity

8.5 / 10

Excellent

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Ponderosa Elementary

7.9/10

Elementary School in Loveland · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Lucile Erwin Middle School

5.2/10

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

Centennial Elementary School

6.5/10

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

About Ponderosa Elementary

Ponderosa Elementary is a public elementary school in Loveland, CO, part of Thompson School District R-2J. Ponderosa Elementary serves approximately 353 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Ponderosa Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #349 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Ponderosa Elementary show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).

How it compares1.8 pts above district
  • This school 7.9 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.2
  • CO avg 6.3

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.68 pts/yr
Data Period2010–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.8% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.4% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg+10.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15.5 pts
Overall Proficiency54% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)45% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected+8.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile76th
Resources & Environment7.6Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,678
Chronic Absenteeism16.7%

Ponderosa Elementary — Students at Ponderosa Elementary score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

33.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 50.6% (multi-year average, 2010-2025)
School
State
39.5% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 62.4% (multi-year average, 2010-2025)
School
State
44.9% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 33 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2010
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
70%
ELA
80%
2012
Math
76%
ELA
79%
2013
Math
78%
ELA
85%
2014
Math
39%
ELA
54%
2015
Math
38%
ELA
40%
2016
Math
45%
ELA
53%
2017
Math
45%
ELA
55%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
32%
2025
Math
46.8%
ELA
60.4%

* 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: 7.8/10.

How Ponderosa Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.9/10
81th percentile in CO
Academic
8.4/10
Excellent
Growth
7.8/10
Very Good
Environment
7.6/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
34%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.7%

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

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 8.1/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Fort Collins), with a very similar rating. Another option is ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 2.7 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Centennial Elementary School (rated 6.5/10, 1.4 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 5.2
Centennial Elementary School Loveland 1.4 mi 6.5
Harold Ferguson High School Loveland 2.4 mi 5.4
Lincoln Elementary School Loveland 2.1 mi 6.5
Loveland High School Loveland 2.2 mi 7.3
ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Loveland 2.7 mi 6.8
Laurene Edmondson Elementary School Loveland 2.3 mi 3.9
Namaqua Elementary School Loveland 3.1 mi 6.0
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Loveland 2.6 mi 5.4
Thompson Integrated Early Childhood Loveland 2.8 mi 5.8
Garfield Elementary School Loveland 3.4 mi 6.5
Thompson Valley High School Loveland 3.7 mi 6.5
Walt Clark Middle School Loveland 3.9 mi 5.8
Sarah Milner Elementary School Loveland 3.9 mi 3.8
Loveland Classical School Loveland 4.2 mi 6.9
Peakview Academy at Conrad Ball Loveland 3.3 mi 3.2
Coyote Ridge Elementary School Fort Collins 3.8 mi 8.1
Truscott Elementary School Loveland 3.7 mi 4.3
Bill Reed Middle School Loveland 3.8 mi 5.1
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Birch Elementary School Broomfield, CO 7.9
Crown Pointe Charter Academy Westminster, CO 7.9
Rocky Mountain Prep Berkeley Denver, CO 7.9
Shelton Elementary School Golden, CO 7.9
Skyway Park Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO 7.9
Stony Creek Elementary School Littleton, CO 7.9

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 ranks #349 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Ponderosa Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Ponderosa Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 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 Ponderosa Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ponderosa Elementary has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.7%

District

Thompson School District R-2J
District Enrollment
14,907
Schools in District
32
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,678
District Rank
#3 of 31

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