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Average

#1178 of 1,815 schools in CO

South Mesa Elementary School

Elementary School · Pueblo County School District 70

23701 EAST PRESTON ROAD, Pueblo, CO 81006

Enrollment

327

Student-Teacher

16.4:1

Score

5.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,178 of 1,815

In Pueblo

#12 of 45

public schools

In district

#13 of 26

Pueblo County School District 70

Equity

8.1 / 10

Excellent

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South Mesa Elementary School

5.5/10

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

Pleasant View Middle School

5.0/10

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

North Mesa Elementary School

6.0/10

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

About South Mesa Elementary School

South Mesa Elementary School is a public elementary school in Pueblo, CO, part of Pueblo County School District 70. South Mesa Elementary School serves approximately 327 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.4:1 student-teacher ratio. South Mesa Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,178 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for South Mesa Elementary School show 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • District avg 4.8
  • CO avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

33% of students at South Mesa 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 Progress4.5Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.03 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.8Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32.6% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency48.5% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg-3.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.6 pts
Overall Proficiency41% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)29% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected+11.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,559
Chronic Absenteeism32.7%

South Mesa Elementary School — Students at South Mesa Elementary School score 41% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 43.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.5% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 55.4% (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
97.5%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
97.5%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
44%
2017
Math
30%
ELA
53%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
48%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
48%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
22%
2025
Math
33%
ELA
49.1%

* 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: 4.5/10.

How South Mesa Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
35th percentile in CO
Academic
7.8/10
Very Good
Growth
4.5/10
Below Average
Environment
4.4/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
32.7%

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

23701 EAST PRESTON ROAD, Pueblo, CO 81006

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Mesa Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST JOHN NEUMANN CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Minnequa Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 3.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fountain International Magnet School (rated 6.3/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Pueblo, see our Pueblo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Pleasant View Middle School Pueblo 1.3 mi 5.0
North Mesa Elementary School Pueblo 2.1 mi 6.0
Pueblo School for Arts & Sciences at Fulton Height Pueblo 2.0 mi 5.4
70 Online Pueblo 3.2 mi 5.3
Eva R Baca Elementary School Pueblo 3.6 mi 4.7
Bradford Elementary School Pueblo 3.3 mi 3.0
Risley International Academy of Innovation Pueblo 3.5 mi 4.3
Park View Elementary School Pueblo 3.7 mi 3.2
East High School Pueblo 4.3 mi 6.4
Fountain International Magnet School Pueblo 4.0 mi 6.3
Bessemer Elementary School Pueblo 3.8 mi 4.0
Franklin School of Innovation Pueblo 4.5 mi 3.9
The Connect Charter School Pueblo 4.2 mi 7.7
Minnequa Elementary School Pueblo 3.9 mi 6.9
CHRISTIAN GROWTH ACADEMY Pueblo 4.5 mi
CHRISTIAN GROWTH ACADEMY Pueblo 4.5 mi
ST JOHN NEUMANN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Pueblo 4.0 mi 7.7
GOAL Academy Pueblo 4.2 mi 4.8
Academy of Las Animas Online School Pueblo 4.2 mi 4.8
Villa Bella Expeditionary School Pueblo 5.3 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 81006 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,915

Median Home Value

$317,200

Median Rent

$1,176/mo

Population

11,153

College Educated

23%

Homeownership

80%

Avg Commute

23.2 min

Poverty Rate

15.7%

Median Age

47.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Colorado Sports Leadership Academy Denver, CO 5.5
Dolores Elementary School Dolores, CO 5.5
Foothills Elementary School Lakewood, CO 5.5
Foster Dual Language PK-8 Arvada, CO 5.5
Free Horizon Montessori Golden, CO 5.5
Granby Elementary School Granby, CO 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Mesa Elementary School

What grades does South Mesa Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend South Mesa Elementary School?

South Mesa Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 327 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Mesa Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at South Mesa Elementary School is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Mesa Elementary School rank in CO?

South Mesa Elementary School ranks #1,178 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is South Mesa Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Mesa Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 Mesa Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Mesa Elementary School has 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is South Mesa Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is South Mesa Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

67.0% of students at South Mesa 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
327
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Pueblo County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
32.7%

District

Pueblo County School District 70
District Enrollment
10,644
Schools in District
27
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,559
District Rank
#13 of 26

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