Needs Improvement
#1723 of 1,815 schools in CO
South Elementary School
Elementary School · School District 27J
305 SOUTH 5TH AVENUE, Brighton, CO 80601
Enrollment
344
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
344
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Colorado schools
#1,723 of 1,815
In Brighton
#10 of 17
public schools
In district
#22 of 31
School District 27J
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South Elementary School
Elementary School in Brighton · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Brighton High School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bright Beginnings
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About South Elementary School
South Elementary School is a public elementary school in Brighton, CO, part of School District 27J. South Elementary School serves approximately 344 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. South Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,723 of 1,815 schools in CO.
Structured state assessment records for South Elementary School show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.5
- CO avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
41% of students at South 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
South Elementary School — Students at South Elementary School score 19% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 35 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: 2.1/10.
How South Elementary School Compares
See how South Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
305 SOUTH 5TH AVENUE, Brighton, CO 80601
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Foundations Academy (rated 5.5/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mary E Pennock Elementary School (rated 4.9/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 4.6/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Brighton, see our Brighton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Brighton High School Brighton | 0.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Bright Beginnings Brighton | 0.5 mi | 4.6 |
| 27J Online Academy Brighton | 0.5 mi | 3.0 |
| Vikan Middle School Brighton | 0.4 mi | 4.0 |
| Innovations & Options Brighton | 0.4 mi | 4.9 |
| BRIGHTON ADVENTIST ACADEMY Brighton | 0.6 mi | 5.2 |
| ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Brighton | 0.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Southeast Elementary School Brighton | 0.8 mi | 2.7 |
| Northeast Elementary School Brighton | 1.1 mi | 3.3 |
| Overland Trail Middle School Brighton | 1.3 mi | 3.2 |
| ELMWOOD BAPTIST ACADEMY Brighton | 1.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Eagle Ridge Academy Brighton | 1.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Mary E Pennock Elementary School Brighton | 2.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Foundations Academy Brighton | 3.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Henderson Elementary School Henderson | 4.3 mi | 4.0 |
| Prairie View Middle School Henderson | 4.7 mi | 4.1 |
| Prairie View High School Henderson | 4.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Bromley East Charter School Brighton | 3.8 mi | 3.3 |
| Elaine S. Padilla Elementary School Brighton | 4.0 mi | 3.2 |
| Riverdale Ridge High School Thornton | 4.5 mi | 6.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 80601 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$99,031
Median Home Value
$471,900
Median Rent
$1,729/mo
Population
41,301
College Educated
23.6%
Homeownership
70.9%
Avg Commute
30.7 min
Poverty Rate
8.6%
Median Age
34.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Achieve Academy Thornton, CO | 3.4 |
| Meadow Community School Thornton, CO | 3.4 |
| Monfort Elementary School Greeley, CO | 3.4 |
| Stratton Meadows Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO | 3.4 |
| Traylor Academy Denver, CO | 3.4 |
| AXL Academy Aurora, CO | 3.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Elementary School
What grades does South Elementary School serve?
South Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend South Elementary School?
South Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 344 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Elementary School is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Elementary School rank in CO?
South Elementary School ranks #1,723 of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is South Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 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 South Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, South Elementary School has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is South Elementary School a charter school?
No, South Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Elementary School a Title I school?
No, South Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Elementary School?
84.9% of students at South 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 344
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 84.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Adams County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 41.3%
- Phone
- (303) 655-2600
Resources & Links
District
School District 27J- District Enrollment
- 23,139
- Schools in District
- 33
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,854
- District Rank
- #22 of 31
Other Schools in This District
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