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Below Average

#1585 of 1,815 schools in CO

Prairie Heights Elementary School

Elementary School · Hanover School District No. 28 in the county of El Paso an

7930 INDIAN VILLAGE HEIGHTS, Fountain, CO 80817

Enrollment

134

Student-Teacher

16.8:1

Score

4.1

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,585 of 1,815

In Fountain

#7 of 10

public schools

In district

#2 of 2

Hanover School District No. 28 in the county of El Paso an

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Prairie Heights Elementary School

4.1/10

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

Jordahl Elementary School

6.7/10

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

Fountain-fort Carson High School

6.7/10

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

About Prairie Heights Elementary School

Prairie Heights Elementary School is a public elementary school in Fountain, CO, part of Hanover School District No. 28 in the county of El Paso an. Prairie Heights Elementary School serves approximately 134 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Prairie Heights Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,585 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Prairie Heights Elementary School show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.2 pts below CO schools
  • This school 4.1 · Below Average
  • CO avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

At 134 students, Prairie Heights Elementary School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Prairie Heights Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

49% of students at Prairie Heights 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 metrics
Student Progress3.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.27 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12.5% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency25% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg-23.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.9 pts
Overall Proficiency19% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)27% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected-7.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
Resources & Environment5.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,484
Chronic Absenteeism48.5%

Prairie Heights Elementary School — Students at Prairie Heights Elementary School score 19% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

70.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 33.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
37.3% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 44.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
44.1% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 31 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2010
Math
95%
ELA
95%
2011
Math
69.5%
ELA
74.5%
2012
Math
54.5%
ELA
54.5%
2013
Math
54.5%
ELA
64.5%
2014
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%
2015
Math
5%
ELA
34.5%
2016
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2018
Math
24.5%
ELA
34.5%
2019
Math
24.5%
ELA
34.5%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
5%
2025
Math
13.4%
ELA
31.6%

* 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: 3.9/10.

How Prairie Heights Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.1/10
13th percentile in CO
Academic
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.0/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
48.5%

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

7930 INDIAN VILLAGE HEIGHTS, Fountain, CO 80817

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Prairie Heights Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Talbott STEAM Innovation School (rated 7.8/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Colorado Springs), which scores notably higher. Another option is Martin Luther King Jr Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 13.9 miles away, in nearby Colorado Springs), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jordahl Elementary School (rated 6.7/10, 9.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fountain, see our Fountain schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Jordahl Elementary School Fountain 9.5 mi 6.7
Fountain-Fort Carson High School Fountain 9.7 mi 6.7
Conrad Early Learning Center Fountain 9.9 mi 3.2
Aragon Elementary School Fountain 10.3 mi 3.7
Fountain Middle School Fountain 10.6 mi 4.7
Eagleside Elementary School Fountain 10.8 mi 6.0
Welte Education Center Fountain 11.1 mi 6.0
Mesa Elementary School Fountain 11.8 mi 4.0
Janitell Junior High School Fountain 12.9 mi 5.6
Mesa Ridge High School Colorado Springs 13.1 mi 5.4
Prairie Winds Elementary School Pueblo West 13.1 mi 4.3
James Madison Charter Academy School Colorado Springs 13.3 mi 4.2
Webster Elementary School Colorado Springs 13.4 mi 5.8
Sunrise Elementary School Colorado Springs 13.5 mi 4.8
Martin Luther King Jr Elementary School Colorado Springs 13.9 mi 7.7
Talbott STEAM Innovation School Colorado Springs 14.0 mi 7.8
Watson Junior High School Colorado Springs 14.3 mi 5.4
Pueblo Classical Academy Pueblo West 14.5 mi
FOUNTAIN VALLEY SCHOOL OF COLORADO Colorado Springs 14.6 mi 7.4
Venetucci Elementary School Colorado Springs 14.6 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80817 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$85,121

Median Home Value

$377,300

Median Rent

$1,758/mo

Population

31,101

College Educated

32.1%

Homeownership

73%

Avg Commute

26.4 min

Poverty Rate

9.1%

Median Age

31.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cheyenne Wells Elementary School Cheyenne Wells, CO 4.1
International Academy of Denver at Harrington Denver, CO 4.1
La Veta Elementary School La Veta, CO 4.1
Naturita Elementary School Naturita, CO 4.0
James Madison Charter Academy School Colorado Springs, CO 4.2
Sunnyside Elementary School Durango, CO 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Prairie Heights Elementary School

What grades does Prairie Heights Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Prairie Heights Elementary School?

Prairie Heights Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 134 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Prairie Heights Elementary School 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 Prairie Heights Elementary School rank in CO?

Prairie Heights Elementary School ranks #1,585 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Prairie Heights Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Prairie Heights Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 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 Prairie Heights Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Prairie Heights Elementary School has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Prairie Heights Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Prairie Heights Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

70.9% of students at Prairie Heights 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

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
134
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Free/Reduced Lunch
70.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
El Paso County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
48.5%

District

Hanover School District No. 28 in the county of El Paso an
District Enrollment
271
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,484
District Rank
#2 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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