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Very Good

#543 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 30% in state

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

7.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Pueblo

#6 of 45

public schools

Colorado elementary schools

#380 of 1,006

In district

#4 of 26

Pueblo County School District 70

Academic growth

8.1 / 10

Very strong

About South Mesa Elementary School

South Mesa Elementary School is a vibrant public elementary school located in Pueblo, Colorado. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 327 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 16.4:1 with 20 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The academic performance at South Mesa Elementary is currently rated at 6.1 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing the school in the 61st percentile among Colorado schools.

South Mesa Elementary's reading and math proficiency scores are areas where there is room for growth, with 46% of students meeting or exceeding ELA/reading standards and 29% achieving proficiency in mathematics. Despite these challenges, the school continues to focus on student development and provides a supportive environment that encourages learning and growth. Located in a mid-size suburb, South Mesa Elementary School benefits from its close-knit community setting, fostering strong connections between families, teachers, and students.

The neighborhood around the school is welcoming and offers various resources for families to support their children's education and well-being.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.79 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.9Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency48.5%
Math vs. State Avg-3.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.6 pts
Overall Proficiency41%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected+12.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.4Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,558

South Mesa Elementary School — Students at South Mesa Elementary School score 41% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

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 29.3%
School
State
39.5%
ELA Proficiency 46.1%
School
State
44.9%

Based on 13 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
27%
ELA
48%
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: 8.1/10.

How South Mesa Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.3/10
70th percentile in CO
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
8.1/10
Above average
Environment
4.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

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. Minnequa Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 3.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST JOHN NEUMANN CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, North Mesa Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 2.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 7.6
Pueblo School for Arts & Sciences at Fulton Height Pueblo 2.0 mi 2.9
70 Online Pueblo 3.2 mi 5.2
Eva R Baca Elementary School Pueblo 3.6 mi 6.9
Bradford Elementary School Pueblo 3.3 mi 3.8
Risley International Academy of Innovation Pueblo 3.5 mi 4.7
Park View Elementary School Pueblo 3.7 mi 5.7
East High School Pueblo 4.3 mi 6.1
Fountain International Magnet School Pueblo 4.0 mi 5.6
Bessemer Elementary School Pueblo 3.8 mi 4.9
Franklin School of Innovation Pueblo 4.5 mi 4.2
The Connect Charter School Pueblo 4.2 mi 4.4
Minnequa Elementary School Pueblo 3.9 mi 9.3
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 5.5
Academy of Las Animas Online School Pueblo 4.2 mi 5.3
Villa Bella Expeditionary School Pueblo 5.3 mi 3.5

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Mesa Elementary School has a median household income of $68,915. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $317,200, with a median rent of $1,176/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.7%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bromwell Elementary School Denver, CO 7.3
Centennial Academy of Fine Arts Education Littleton, CO 7.3
Clyde Miller K-8 Aurora, CO 7.3
Denison Montessori School Denver, CO 7.3
Escalante-Biggs Academy Denver, CO 7.3
Fisher's Peak Elementary School Trinidad, CO 7.3

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 is ranked #543 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is South Mesa Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Mesa Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 South Mesa Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Mesa Elementary School has 29.3% math proficiency and 46.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
High (6,417/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Pueblo). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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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