Average
#1431 of 1,815 schools in CO
Ponderosa Elementary School
Elementary School · Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah
1885 SOUTH LIMA STREET, Aurora, CO 80012
Enrollment
572
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
572
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Aurora
#72 of 100
public schools
Colorado elementary schools
#811 of 1,006
In district
#63 of 70
Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah
School environment
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Ponderosa Elementary School
Ponderosa Elementary School is a regular public school located in Aurora, Colorado, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 572 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.9:1, Ponderosa provides personalized attention to each child’s learning needs. The school has 36 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting the academic growth of its young learners.
Ponderosa Elementary School is situated in a large city setting within Arapahoe County, and it offers a range of programs designed to meet the diverse needs of its students. While the MySchoolScout rating for Ponderosa stands at 3.7 out of 10, which reflects room for academic growth, the school remains committed to fostering an environment where every student can thrive. On state assessments, Ponderosa Elementary ranks 22nd percentile overall in Colorado, with only 21% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 18% proficient or above in Math.
Despite these challenges, the school continues to focus on student development and improvement. Ponderosa Elementary School is part of a vibrant urban community that offers various resources and opportunities for its students to engage beyond the classroom walls.
Score Breakdown
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Ponderosa Elementary School — Students at Ponderosa Elementary School score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
76%
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
↓ 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: 4.7/10.
How Ponderosa Elementary School Compares
See how Ponderosa Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 20% (2019) to 17.88% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 33% (2019) to 18.6% (2025).
Location
1885 SOUTH LIMA STREET, Aurora, CO 80012
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ponderosa Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Challenge School (rated 8.4/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Denver), which scores notably higher. Another option is Clara Brown Entrepreneurial Academy (rated 7.8/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Aurora Academy Charter School (rated 6.7/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Aurora, see our Aurora schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Village East Community Elementary School Aurora | 0.6 mi | 4.7 |
| MT. OLIVE LUTHERAN Aurora | 0.6 mi | — |
| Eastridge Community Elementary School Aurora | 0.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Overland High School Aurora | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Prairie Middle School Aurora | 0.9 mi | 5.2 |
| THREE BEARS LEARNING CENTER Denver | 1.1 mi | — |
| Highline Community Elementary School Aurora | 1.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Polton Community Elementary School Aurora | 1.4 mi | 5.0 |
| CRESCENT VIEW ACADEMY Aurora | 1.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Challenge School Denver | 1.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Aurora Hills Middle School Aurora | 1.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Joe Shoemaker School Denver | 1.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Lotus School for Excellence Aurora | 2.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Virginia Court Elementary School Aurora | 1.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Colorado Early Colleges Aurora Aurora | 1.7 mi | 3.9 |
| DENVER JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Denver | 1.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Clara Brown Entrepreneurial Academy Aurora | 1.9 mi | 7.8 |
| AXL Academy Aurora | 1.8 mi | 3.6 |
| Aurora Academy Charter School Aurora | 2.5 mi | 6.7 |
| AMERICAN GLOBAL ACADEMY Denver | 2.1 mi | 3.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 80012 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,835
Median Home Value
$398,300
Median Rent
$1,697/mo
Population
51,389
College Educated
27.3%
Homeownership
50.9%
Avg Commute
29.3 min
Poverty Rate
14.4%
Median Age
33.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ponderosa Elementary School has a median household income of $69,835. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $398,300, with a median rent of $1,697/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.4%. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Aragon Elementary School Fountain, CO | 5.0 |
| Coyote Hills Elementary School Aurora, CO | 5.0 |
| Highland Elementary School Rifle, CO | 5.0 |
| Kemper Elementary School Cortez, CO | 5.0 |
| Marrama Elementary School Denver, CO | 5.0 |
| Martinez Elementary School Greeley, CO | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ponderosa Elementary School
What grades does Ponderosa Elementary School serve?
Ponderosa Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Ponderosa Elementary School?
Ponderosa Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 572 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ponderosa Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Ponderosa Elementary School is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ponderosa Elementary School rank in CO?
Ponderosa Elementary School is ranked #1431 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Ponderosa Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ponderosa Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.0 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 School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ponderosa Elementary School has 17.9% math proficiency and 21.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ponderosa Elementary School a charter school?
No, Ponderosa Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ponderosa Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Ponderosa Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ponderosa Elementary School?
76.0% of students at Ponderosa Elementary 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,074/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Aurora). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 572
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 76.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Arapahoe County
- Phone
- (720) 747-2800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah- District Enrollment
- 51,808
- Schools in District
- 70
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,158
- District Rank
- #63 of 70
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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