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Below Average

#1609 of 1,815 schools in CO

Swanson Elementary School

Elementary School · Jefferson County School District No. R-1

6055 WEST 68TH AVENUE, Arvada, CO 80003

Enrollment

266

Student-Teacher

12.7:1

Score

4.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,609 of 1,815

In Arvada

#27 of 32

public schools

In district

#127 of 140

Jefferson County School District No. R-1

School environment

8.3 / 10

Excellent

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Swanson Elementary School

4.0/10

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

Two Roads Charter School

7.8/10

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

Secrest Elementary School

6.3/10

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

About Swanson Elementary School

Swanson Elementary School is a public elementary school in Arvada, CO, part of Jefferson County School District No. R-1. Swanson Elementary School serves approximately 266 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio.

Swanson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,609 of 1,815 schools in CO. Structured state assessment records for Swanson Elementary School show 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.8 pts below district
  • This school 4.0 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.8
  • CO avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

35% of students at Swanson 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 Progress3.3Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.52 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.2Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6.9% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency14% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg-29.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-30.9 pts
Overall Proficiency10% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)26% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected-15.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,483
Chronic Absenteeism34.6%

Swanson Elementary School — Students at Swanson Elementary School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

72.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 26.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
38.6% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 32.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
44.9% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 33 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
87%
ELA
86%
2010
Math
83%
ELA
81%
2011
Math
44%
ELA
55%
2012
Math
33%
ELA
53%
2013
Math
41%
ELA
56%
2014
Math
11%
ELA
22%
2015
Math
15%
ELA
23%
2016
Math
20%
ELA
21%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
15%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
15%
2022
Math
12%
2025
Math
9.2%
ELA
14.1%

* 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: 3.3/10.

How Swanson Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.0/10
11th percentile in CO
Academic
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.3/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
73%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.6%

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

6055 WEST 68TH AVENUE, Arvada, CO 80003

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Swanson Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Colorado STEM Academy (rated 9.0/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Westminster), which scores notably higher. Another option is Warder Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hackberry Hill Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Arvada, see our Arvada schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Two Roads Charter School Arvada 0.4 mi 7.8
Secrest Elementary School Arvada 0.7 mi 6.3
North Arvada Middle School Arvada 0.7 mi 4.1
Hackberry Hill Elementary School Arvada 1.2 mi 7.5
Early College of Arvada Arvada 1.2 mi 5.2
Harris Park Elementary School Westminster 1.2 mi 4.2
Westminster High School Westminster 1.1 mi 6.7
Arvada High School Arvada 1.2 mi 3.8
Tennyson Knolls Preparatory School Arvada 1.3 mi 5.8
SHRINE OF ST ANNE SCHOOL Arvada 1.6 mi 5.7
Foster Dual Language PK-8 Arvada 2.0 mi 5.5
Lawrence Elementary School Arvada 1.9 mi 5.7
Hidden Lake Secondary Westminster 1.7 mi 4.2
Arvada K-8 Arvada 1.9 mi 2.6
Josephine Hodgkins Leadership Academy Denver 1.7 mi 5.4
Warder Elementary School Arvada 1.9 mi 7.6
Colorado STEM Academy Westminster 1.8 mi 9.0
Little Elementary School Arvada 2.3 mi 3.9
Colorado Preparatory Academy High School Westminster 2.2 mi 6.0
Pikes Peak Online School Westminster 2.2 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80003 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$82,754

Median Home Value

$486,600

Median Rent

$1,729/mo

Population

35,381

College Educated

33.3%

Homeownership

69.7%

Avg Commute

26.3 min

Poverty Rate

10.4%

Median Age

38.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bessemer Elementary School Pueblo, CO 4.0
Burlington Elementary School Burlington, CO 4.0
Campbell Elementary School Sterling, CO 4.0
Carbon Valley Academy Frederick, CO 4.0
Elk Creek Elementary New Castle, CO 4.0
Henderson Elementary School Henderson, CO 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Swanson Elementary School

What grades does Swanson Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Swanson Elementary School?

Swanson Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 266 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Swanson Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Swanson Elementary School is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Swanson Elementary School rank in CO?

Swanson Elementary School ranks #1,609 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Swanson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Swanson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 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 Swanson Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Swanson Elementary School has 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Swanson Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Swanson Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

72.6% of students at Swanson 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
33 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
27 Some Transit
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
266
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
72.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Jefferson County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.6%

District

Jefferson County School District No. R-1
District Enrollment
74,251
Schools in District
148
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,483
District Rank
#127 of 140

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