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
Enrollment
327
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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South Mesa Elementary School — Students at South Mesa Elementary School score 41% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 8.1/10.
How South Mesa Elementary School Compares
See how South Mesa Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 32.61% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 48% (2019) to 48.55% (2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (719) 543-6444
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pueblo County School District 70- District Enrollment
- 10,644
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,559
- District Rank
- #4 of 26
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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