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Average

#865 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 48% in state

Simla Elementary School

Elementary School · Big Sandy School District No. 100J

P O BOX 68, Simla, CO 80835

Enrollment

152

Student-Teacher

11.7:1

Score

6.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Simla

#2 of 3

public schools

Colorado elementary schools

#544 of 1,006

In district

#2 of 3

Big Sandy School District No. 100J

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Simla Elementary School

Simla Elementary School serves 152 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in the small rural community of Simla, Colorado. With 13 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1, allowing for more individualized attention and support for each child. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranking #341 out of 1,831 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 81st percentile among Colorado schools.

This strong showing reflects the school's commitment to student achievement in a close-knit educational environment. In mathematics, 37% of students perform at proficient levels or above across all grade levels, providing a foundation for continued academic growth. As a regular public school, Simla Elementary serves families in the surrounding area where the median household income is $61,563 and median home values are $247,300.

About 24% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 16.5% of families experience poverty, creating a diverse socioeconomic learning community. Simla Elementary School operates in Colorado's remote rural landscape of Elbert County, where the ZIP code population of just 766 residents creates a tight-knit community atmosphere that often extends into the classroom experience.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 152 students, Simla 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.

Located in a rural area, Simla 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 Progress4.4Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.33 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.0Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.8%
Math vs. State Avg+8.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.1 pts
Overall Proficiency43%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected+11.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,855

Simla Elementary School — Students at Simla Elementary School score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

60.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 39.2%
School
State
39.5%
ELA Proficiency 45.6%
School
State
44.9%

Based on 13 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
47%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
37%
2025
Math
45.2%
ELA
41.8%

* 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: 4.4/10.

How Simla Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
52th percentile in CO
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
4.4/10
Below average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

P O BOX 68, Simla, CO 80835

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Simla Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Limon Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 23.4 miles away, in nearby Limon), which scores notably higher. Another option is Calhan Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Calhan), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Peyton Elementary School (rated 5.1/10, 23.1 miles away, in nearby Peyton), a more accessible option. For more schools in Simla, see our Simla schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 26.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Simla High School Simla 0.0 mi 8.3
Simla Junior High School Simla 0.0 mi 6.3
Calhan Elementary School Calhan 13.2 mi 7.6
Calhan Secondary School Calhan 13.2 mi 4.8
Miami/Yoder Elementary School Rush 21.4 mi 4.1
Miami-Yoder Middle/High School Rush 21.4 mi 6.6
Agate Elementary School Agate 23.8 mi 4.4
Agate Junior Senior High School Agate 23.8 mi
Peyton Online Academy Peyton 22.4 mi
Peyton Junior High School Peyton 22.8 mi 3.9
Peyton Senior High School Peyton 22.8 mi 5.7
Peyton Elementary School Peyton 23.1 mi 5.1
Limon Elementary School Limon 23.4 mi 8.3
Limon Junior-Senior High School Limon 23.4 mi 6.1
Kiowa Middle School Kiowa 24.4 mi 5.1
Kiowa Elementary School Kiowa 24.5 mi 2.2
Kiowa High School Kiowa 24.5 mi 4.8
Ellicott Senior High School Ellicott 26.8 mi 4.5
Ellicott Elementary School Ellicott 26.9 mi 4.9
Ellicott Middle School Ellicott 26.9 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80835 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,469

Median Home Value

$242,700

Median Rent

$1,141/mo

Population

791

College Educated

23.3%

Homeownership

71.3%

Poverty Rate

25.4%

Median Age

40.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Simla Elementary School has a median household income of $75,469. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $242,700, with a median rent of $1,141/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Fleming Elementary School Fleming, CO 6.5
ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Denver, CO 6.4
Caliche Elementary School Iliff, CO 6.4
Custer County Elementary School Westcliffe, CO 6.4
KIPP Sunshine Peak Elementary Denver, CO 6.4
Mancos Elementary School Mancos, CO 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Simla Elementary School

What grades does Simla Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Simla Elementary School?

Simla Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 152 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Simla Elementary School is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Simla Elementary School rank in CO?

Simla Elementary School is ranked #865 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Simla Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Simla Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Simla Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Simla Elementary School has 39.2% math proficiency and 45.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Simla Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Simla Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

60.5% of students at Simla 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 (302/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
152
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
60.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Elbert County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Big Sandy School District No. 100J
District Enrollment
328
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,490
District Rank
#2 of 3

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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