Needs Improvement
#1714 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
3.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
572
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Colorado schools
#1,714 of 1,815
In Aurora
#88 of 100
public schools
In district
#68 of 70
Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah
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Ponderosa Elementary School
Elementary School in Aurora · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Village East Community Elementary School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Mt. Olive Lutheran
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Ponderosa Elementary School
Ponderosa Elementary School is a public elementary school in Aurora, CO, part of Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah. Ponderosa Elementary School serves approximately 572 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Ponderosa Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,714 of 1,815 schools in CO.
Structured state assessment records for Ponderosa Elementary School show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 6.6
- CO avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
44% of students at Ponderosa Elementary 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 35 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: 2.4/10.
How Ponderosa Elementary School Compares
See how Ponderosa Elementary 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
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 9.0/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Denver), which scores notably higher. Another option is Clara Brown Entrepreneurial Academy (rated 7.7/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Joe Shoemaker School (rated 6.9/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Denver), 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 | 3.3 |
| MT. OLIVE LUTHERAN Aurora | 0.6 mi | — |
| Eastridge Community Elementary School Aurora | 0.8 mi | 4.0 |
| Overland High School Aurora | 0.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Prairie Middle School Aurora | 0.9 mi | 3.6 |
| THREE BEARS LEARNING CENTER Denver | 1.1 mi | — |
| Highline Community Elementary School Aurora | 1.4 mi | 3.8 |
| Polton Community Elementary School Aurora | 1.4 mi | 4.6 |
| CRESCENT VIEW ACADEMY Aurora | 1.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Challenge School Denver | 1.4 mi | 9.0 |
| Aurora Hills Middle School Aurora | 1.4 mi | 3.2 |
| Joe Shoemaker School Denver | 1.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Lotus School for Excellence Aurora | 2.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Virginia Court Elementary School Aurora | 1.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Colorado Early Colleges Aurora Aurora | 1.7 mi | 5.7 |
| DENVER JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Denver | 1.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Clara Brown Entrepreneurial Academy Aurora | 1.9 mi | 7.7 |
| AXL Academy Aurora | 1.8 mi | 3.5 |
| Aurora Academy Charter School Aurora | 2.5 mi | 5.2 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| AXL Academy Aurora, CO | 3.5 |
| Morton Elementary School Pueblo, CO | 3.5 |
| Achieve Academy Thornton, CO | 3.4 |
| Ashley Elementary School Denver, CO | 3.6 |
| Explore Pk-8 Thornton, CO | 3.6 |
| Fairview PK-8 Denver, CO | 3.6 |
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 ranks #1,714 of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Ponderosa Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ponderosa Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 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 School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Ponderosa Elementary School has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 43.5%
- Phone
- (720) 747-2800
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
- #68 of 70
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