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
Enrollment
152
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Simla Elementary School — Students at Simla Elementary School score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
60.5%
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: 4.4/10.
How Simla Elementary School Compares
See how Simla Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 44.78% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 41.79% (2025).
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.
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
- Phone
- (719) 541-2291
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Big Sandy School District No. 100J- District Enrollment
- 328
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,490
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
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 methodologyRelated reading
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