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Below Average

#1529 of 1,815 schools in CO

The Vanguard School (elementary)

Elementary School · Harrison School District No. 2 in the county of El Paso an

1832 SOUTH WAHSATCH, Colorado Springs, CO 80906

Charter

Enrollment

1,000

Student-Teacher

18.2:1

Score

4.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Colorado Springs

#143 of 180

public schools

Colorado elementary schools

#848 of 1,006

In district

#17 of 28

Harrison School District No. 2 in the county of El Paso an

Academic performance

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About The Vanguard School (elementary)

The Vanguard School (Elementary) serves 1,000 students in grades kindergarten through sixth in Colorado Springs as a charter school with a strong academic reputation. With 55 full-time equivalent teachers maintaining an 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio, the school provides a well-staffed learning environment that has earned recognition as one of Colorado's higher-performing elementary schools. The school ranks #407 out of 1,831 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 78th percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10.

Academic performance is notably strong, with an 8.7 out of 10 academic score and 52% of students achieving proficient or above in math across all grade levels. This solid academic foundation reflects the school's commitment to elementary education excellence. Located in the 80906 ZIP code area, The Vanguard School sits within a well-established Colorado Springs neighborhood where families value education, as evidenced by the 48% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

The community features a median household income of $83,724 and median home values of $505,500, with a relatively low poverty rate of 7.5%. The school's large city setting provides students with access to urban amenities while maintaining the focused educational environment that has contributed to its strong academic standing.

What Parents Should Know

The Vanguard School (elementary) is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.3Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-2.09 pts/yr
Data Period2022–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.8Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency45.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.2%
Math vs. State Avg+9.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12.4 pts
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected+1.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile67th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.8Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,944

The Vanguard School (elementary) — Students at The Vanguard School (elementary) score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

25.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 46.8%
School
State
38.3%
ELA Proficiency 57.4%
School
State
44.9%

Based on 11 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2022
Math
52%
2025
Math
45.7%
ELA
57.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.3/10.

How The Vanguard School (elementary) Compares

See how The Vanguard School (elementary) performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
16th percentile in CO
Academic
7.8/10
7.8/10
Growth
3.3/10
Below average
Environment
3.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
25%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
55 teachers

Location

1832 SOUTH WAHSATCH, Colorado Springs, CO 80906

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering The Vanguard School (elementary) may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Buena Vista Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Skyway Park Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Broadmoor Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Colorado Springs, see our Colorado Springs schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
The Vanguard School (High) Colorado Springs 0.3 mi 9.1
The Vanguard School (Middle) Colorado Springs 0.3 mi 6.2
Stratton Meadows Elementary School Colorado Springs 0.4 mi 4.4
GOLDEN MOUNTAIN MONTESSORI SCHOOL LLC Colorado Springs 0.8 mi
Broadmoor Elementary School Colorado Springs 1.6 mi 7.0
Oak Creek Elementary School Colorado Springs 1.7 mi 4.7
THE COLORADO SPRINGS SCHOOL Colorado Springs 1.7 mi 7.2
Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind Colorado Springs 2.0 mi 6.3
Palmer High School Colorado Springs 2.1 mi 7.0
Skyway Park Elementary School Colorado Springs 1.6 mi 7.6
Eastlake High School of Colorado Springs Colorado Springs 1.8 mi 5.2
Canon Elementary School Colorado Springs 1.7 mi 5.4
Harrison High School Colorado Springs 1.8 mi 5.9
Fox Meadow Middle School Colorado Springs 2.0 mi 4.6
Cheyenne Mountain Junior High School Colorado Springs 1.7 mi 7.1
GIVING TREE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Colorado Springs 1.9 mi
Columbia Elementary School Colorado Springs 2.3 mi 4.3
Adams Elementary School Colorado Springs 1.9 mi 4.3
Buena Vista Elementary School Colorado Springs 2.2 mi 8.5
Community Prep Charter School Colorado Springs 2.4 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80906 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$88,047

Median Home Value

$543,400

Median Rent

$1,634/mo

Population

37,403

College Educated

49.1%

Homeownership

63.5%

Avg Commute

21.4 min

Poverty Rate

8.2%

Median Age

40.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding The Vanguard School (elementary) has a median household income of $88,047. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $543,400, with a median rent of $1,634/month. The local poverty rate of 8.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Maxwell Elementary School Denver, CO 4.8
Aurora Frontier K-8 Aurora, CO 4.7
Village East Community Elementary School Aurora, CO 4.7
McGlone Academy Denver, CO 4.9
McMeen Elementary School Denver, CO 4.9
Omar D Blair Charter School Denver, CO 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about The Vanguard School (elementary)

What grades does The Vanguard School (elementary) serve?

The Vanguard School (elementary) serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend The Vanguard School (elementary)?

The Vanguard School (elementary) has an enrollment of approximately 1,000 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at The Vanguard School (elementary)?

The student-teacher ratio at The Vanguard School (elementary) is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does The Vanguard School (elementary) rank in CO?

The Vanguard School (elementary) is ranked #1529 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is The Vanguard School (elementary)'s MySchoolScout rating?

The Vanguard School (elementary) has a composite rating of 4.8 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 The Vanguard School (elementary)?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, The Vanguard School (elementary) has 46.8% math proficiency and 57.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is The Vanguard School (elementary) a charter school?

Yes, The Vanguard School (elementary) is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is The Vanguard School (elementary) a Title I school?

No, The Vanguard School (elementary) is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for The Vanguard School (elementary)?

25.2% of students at The Vanguard School (elementary) 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
87 Very Walkable
Transit Score
33 Some Transit
Bike Score
56 Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,194/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
1,000
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
55
Free/Reduced Lunch
25.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
El Paso 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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