Average
#1186 of 1,815 schools in CO
Rice Elementary School
Elementary School · Poudre School District R-1
7000 THIRD STREET, Wellington, CO 80549
Enrollment
424
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
424
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Wellington
#3 of 3
public schools
Colorado elementary schools
#697 of 1,006
In district
#41 of 51
Poudre School District R-1
School environment
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Rice Elementary School
Rice Elementary School serves 424 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Wellington, Colorado, and stands out as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a ranking of 72nd out of 1,831 Colorado schools, placing it in the 96th percentile, the school has earned an impressive 8.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and an even stronger 8.9 academic score. The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 14.1 to 1 with 30 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students can receive more individualized attention.
Academic performance is particularly strong, with 53% of students demonstrating proficiency or above in mathematics across grade levels. Rice Elementary sits in the heart of Wellington's 80549 ZIP code, a community characterized by economic stability and educational achievement. The surrounding neighborhood reflects a median household income of $100,508 and median home values of $428,800, with 41% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
The area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 11.1% among its 13,862 residents. Located in a town on the fringe of an urban area, Rice Elementary benefits from the advantages of both suburban amenities and small-town community feel, serving families in this thriving northern Colorado community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Rice Elementary School — Students at Rice Elementary School score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.6%
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: 3.6/10.
How Rice Elementary School Compares
See how Rice Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 55% (2019) to 49.21% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 61% (2019) to 45.31% (2025).
Location
7000 THIRD STREET, Wellington, CO 80549
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Rice Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Putnam Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Fort Collins), which scores notably higher. Another option is Laurel Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Fort Collins), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Riffenburgh Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Fort Collins), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Wellington, see our Wellington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.8 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 80549 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$103,760
Median Home Value
$452,800
Median Rent
$2,290/mo
Population
14,132
College Educated
43.6%
Homeownership
83.5%
Avg Commute
29.7 min
Poverty Rate
9.6%
Median Age
35.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Rice Elementary School has a median household income of $103,760. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $452,800, with a median rent of $2,290/month. The local poverty rate of 9.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Bergen Meadow Primary School Evergreen, CO | 5.7 |
| Charles M. Schenck (CMS) Community School Denver, CO | 5.7 |
| Cheyenne Mountain Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO | 5.7 |
| Colorado Sports Leadership Academy Denver, CO | 5.7 |
| Keller Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO | 5.7 |
| Legacy Academy Elizabeth, CO | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rice Elementary School
What grades does Rice Elementary School serve?
Rice Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Rice Elementary School?
Rice Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 424 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Rice Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Rice Elementary School is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Rice Elementary School rank in CO?
Rice Elementary School is ranked #1186 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Rice Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Rice Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Rice Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rice Elementary School has 51.5% math proficiency and 48.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Rice Elementary School a charter school?
No, Rice Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Rice Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Rice Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rice Elementary School?
36.6% of students at Rice 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (248/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 424
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 36.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Larimer County
- Phone
- (970) 488-8700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Poudre School District R-1- District Enrollment
- 29,772
- Schools in District
- 52
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,995
- District Rank
- #41 of 51
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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