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Needs Improvement

#1756 of 1,815 schools in CO

Prairie Elementary School

Elementary School · School District No. Re-11 in the county of Weld and State of

P O BOX 68, New Raymer, CO 80742

Enrollment

79

Student-Teacher

8.8:1

Score

3.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In New Raymer

#2 of 2

public schools

Colorado elementary schools

#971 of 1,006

In district

#2 of 2

School District No. Re-11 in the county of Weld and State of

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Prairie Elementary School

Prairie Elementary School serves 79 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in New Raymer, Colorado, a small community in Weld County. This regular public school has earned exceptional recognition, ranking #2 out of 1,831 elementary schools statewide and earning a MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 out of 10. With just 9 full-time equivalent teachers, Prairie Elementary maintains an impressive 8.8:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for personalized attention and strong teacher-student relationships.

The school's academic excellence is evident in its 9.6 out of 10 academic score, with 64% of students achieving proficiency or above in mathematics across all grade levels. The school serves families in the 80742 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $70,500 and the poverty rate stands at 12.1%. About 25% of local adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a community that values education while maintaining its rural character.

Prairie Elementary's outstanding academic performance demonstrates that small schools can achieve remarkable results when combining dedicated teaching staff with strong community support. The school is situated in a remote rural area with a ZIP code population of just 224 residents, offering students an intimate educational environment where every child is known and valued.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 79 students, Prairie Elementary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.8:1, Prairie Elementary School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Prairie Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.7Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-5.18 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.8Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22.6%
Math vs. State Avg-23.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-22.3 pts
Overall Proficiency18%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected-29.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,979

Prairie Elementary School — Students at Prairie Elementary School score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 41.6%
School
State
36.1%
ELA Proficiency 37.2%
School
State
44.9%

Based on 7 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
44.5%
ELA
34.5%
2022
Math
64.5%
2025
Math
12.9%
ELA
22.6%

* 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: 1.7/10.

How Prairie Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.6/10
3th percentile in CO
Academic
2.8/10
2.8/10
Growth
1.7/10
Below average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

P O BOX 68, New Raymer, CO 80742

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Prairie Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Weldon Valley Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 20.3 miles away, in nearby Weldona), which scores notably higher. Another option is Columbine Elementary School (rated 6.7/10, 24.7 miles away, in nearby Fort Morgan), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Beaver Valley Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 25.8 miles away, in nearby Brush), which scores notably higher. For more schools in New Raymer, see our New Raymer schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Prairie Junior-Senior High School New Raymer 0.0 mi 5.8
Weldon Valley Elementary School Weldona 20.3 mi 8.5
Weldon Valley Jr/Sr High School Weldona 20.3 mi 7.9
Fort Morgan High School Fort Morgan 24.5 mi 3.3
Green Acres Elementary School Fort Morgan 24.6 mi 4.4
Columbine Elementary School Fort Morgan 24.7 mi 6.7
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fort Morgan 24.8 mi 4.3
LIGHTHOUSE SDA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fort Morgan 24.9 mi
Innovative Connections High School Greeley 25.0 mi 6.5
Baker Elementary School Fort Morgan 25.2 mi 4.5
Sherman Early Childhood Center Fort Morgan 25.2 mi 5.4
Lincoln High School Fort Morgan 25.3 mi 6.6
Pioneer Elementary School Fort Morgan 25.8 mi 5.7
Fort Morgan Middle School Fort Morgan 26.1 mi 4.3
Beaver Valley Elementary School Brush 25.8 mi 6.6
Brush Middle School Brush 26.1 mi 5.3
Brush High School Brush 26.1 mi 5.8
Thomson Primary School Brush 26.2 mi 5.2
Merino Elementary School Merino 25.1 mi 4.2
Merino Junior Senior High School Merino 25.1 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80742 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$80,833

Median Home Value

$237,500

Median Rent

$785/mo

Population

215

College Educated

21.6%

Homeownership

81%

Poverty Rate

11.2%

Median Age

61.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Prairie Elementary School has a median household income of $80,833. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $237,500, with a median rent of $785/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.2%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Monument View Montessori Charter School Fruita, CO 3.8
Guadalupe Elementary School Antonito, CO 3.9
Beulah Elementary School Beulah, CO 3.2
CHRIST OUR REDEEMER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Aurora, CO 4.2
LORD OF LIFE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Thornton, CO 4.3
Agate Elementary School Agate, CO 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Prairie Elementary School

What grades does Prairie Elementary School serve?

Prairie Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Prairie Elementary School?

Prairie Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 79 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Prairie Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Prairie Elementary School is 8.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Prairie Elementary School rank in CO?

Prairie Elementary School is ranked #1756 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Prairie Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Prairie Elementary School has a composite rating of 3.6 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 Prairie Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Prairie Elementary School has 41.6% math proficiency and 37.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Prairie Elementary School a charter school?

No, Prairie Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Prairie Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Prairie Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Prairie Elementary School?

30.4% of students at Prairie 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Average (264/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
79
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
30.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Weld County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

School District No. Re-11 in the county of Weld and State of
District Enrollment
178
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,529
District Rank
#2 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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 methodology

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