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Needs Improvement

#1738 of 1,815 schools in CO

Side Creek Elementary School

Elementary School · Aurora Joint District No. 28 of the counties of Adams and A

19191 EAST ILIFF PL, Aurora, CO 80013

Enrollment

508

Student-Teacher

18.8:1

Score

3.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,738 of 1,815

In Aurora

#90 of 100

public schools

In district

#48 of 56

Aurora Joint District No. 28 of the counties of Adams and A

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Side Creek Elementary School

3.3/10

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

Arrowhead Elementary School

3.8/10

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

Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran School

4.2/10

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

About Side Creek Elementary School

Side Creek Elementary School is a public elementary school in Aurora, CO, part of Aurora Joint District No. 28 of the counties of Adams and A. Side Creek Elementary School serves approximately 508 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 18.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Side Creek Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,738 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Side Creek Elementary School show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.1 pts below district
  • This school 3.3 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.4
  • CO avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

39% of students at Side Creek 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 Progress2.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.92 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17.3% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency19.8% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg-18.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-25.1 pts
Overall Proficiency19% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)27% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected-8.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,118
Chronic Absenteeism39.4%

Side Creek Elementary School — Students at Side Creek 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

70.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 32.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.5% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 38.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
44.9% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 35 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
94%
ELA
86%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
86%
2011
Math
70%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
63%
ELA
61%
2013
Math
58%
ELA
56%
2014
Math
11%
ELA
26%
2015
Math
20%
ELA
29%
2016
Math
16%
ELA
27%
2017
Math
19%
ELA
36%
2018
Math
21%
ELA
31%
2019
Math
21%
ELA
31%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
13%
2025
Math
17.4%
ELA
20%

* 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 Side Creek Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.3/10
4th percentile in CO
Academic
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.8/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
39.4%

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

19191 EAST ILIFF PL, Aurora, CO 80013

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Side Creek Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PEACE WITH CHRIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dakota Valley Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Dartmouth Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Aurora, see our Aurora schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Arrowhead Elementary School Aurora 1.0 mi 3.8
CHRIST OUR REDEEMER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Aurora 0.8 mi 4.2
Vassar Elementary School Aurora 0.9 mi 6.2
Rangeview High School Aurora 0.9 mi 6.4
Mrachek Middle School Aurora 1.0 mi 3.9
PEACE WITH CHRIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aurora 1.5 mi 6.7
Arkansas Elementary School Aurora 1.5 mi 3.8
Columbia Middle School Aurora 1.6 mi 5.0
Aurora Frontier K-8 Aurora 1.7 mi 6.4
Dalton Elementary School Aurora 1.7 mi 5.7
Iowa Elementary School Aurora 1.7 mi 4.7
Vanguard Classical School - East Aurora 2.1 mi 6.5
Sunrise Elementary School Aurora 2.4 mi 3.6
Cimarron Elementary School Aurora 2.3 mi 4.7
Horizon Middle School Aurora 2.4 mi 5.0
Dakota Valley Elementary School Aurora 2.4 mi 6.6
Meadowood Child Development Center Aurora 2.2 mi 3.1
Dartmouth Elementary School Aurora 2.1 mi 6.6
Summit Elementary School Aurora 2.7 mi 4.9
Yale Elementary School Aurora 2.2 mi 3.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80013 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$97,167

Median Home Value

$453,700

Median Rent

$1,978/mo

Population

74,732

College Educated

33.4%

Homeownership

76.7%

Avg Commute

29.9 min

Poverty Rate

10.6%

Median Age

36.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Glacier Peak Elementary School Brighton, CO 3.3
Laredo Elementary School Aurora, CO 3.3
Northeast Elementary School Brighton, CO 3.3
Scott Elementary School Greeley, CO 3.3
Westgate Elementary School Lakewood, CO 3.3
Adventure Elementary Denver, CO 3.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Side Creek Elementary School

What grades does Side Creek Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Side Creek Elementary School?

Side Creek Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 508 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Side Creek Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Side Creek Elementary School is 18.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Side Creek Elementary School rank in CO?

Side Creek Elementary School ranks #1,738 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Side Creek Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Side Creek Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 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 Side Creek Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Side Creek Elementary School has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Side Creek Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Side Creek Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

70.7% of students at Side Creek 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
25 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
26 Some Transit
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
508
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
70.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Arapahoe County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
39.4%

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