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Average

#1228 of 1,815 schools in CO

University Prep - Arapahoe St.

Elementary School · School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C

2409 ARAPAHOE STREET, Denver, CO 80205

Charter

Enrollment

285

Student-Teacher

10.2:1

Score

5.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,228 of 1,815

In Denver

#161 of 222

public schools

In district

#145 of 196

School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C

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University Prep - Arapahoe St.

5.3/10

Elementary School in Denver · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Riseup Community School

5.0/10

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

Montessori Academy of Colorado

8.2/10

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

About University Prep - Arapahoe St.

University Prep - Arapahoe St. is a public elementary school in Denver, CO, part of School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C. University Prep - Arapahoe St. serves approximately 285 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 10.2:1 student-teacher ratio. University Prep - Arapahoe St. has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,228 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for University Prep - Arapahoe St. show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025).

How it compares1.5 pts below district
  • This school 5.3 · Average
  • District avg 6.8
  • CO avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

University Prep - Arapahoe St. is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

70% of students at University Prep - Arapahoe St. 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 Progress5.2Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data11
Annual Change-3.82 pts/yr
Data Period2013–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.1Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.7% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency16.8% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg-15.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-28.1 pts
Overall Proficiency19% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)17% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected+1.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
Resources & Environment5.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,206
Chronic Absenteeism70.2%

University Prep - Arapahoe St. — Students at University Prep - Arapahoe St. score 19% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 17%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

90.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 29.6% (multi-year average, 2013-2025)
School
State
39.5% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 33.3% (multi-year average, 2013-2025)
School
State
44.9% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 27 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2013
Math
74.5%
ELA
64.5%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
12%
2025
Math
21.5%
ELA
17%

* 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: 5.2/10.

How University Prep - Arapahoe St. Compares

See how University Prep - Arapahoe St. performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.3/10
32th percentile in CO
Academic
5.1/10
Average
Growth
5.2/10
Average
Environment
5.8/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
91%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
70.2%

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

2409 ARAPAHOE STREET, Denver, CO 80205

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering University Prep - Arapahoe St. may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Polaris Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Downtown Denver Expeditionary School (rated 8.6/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MONTESSORI ACADEMY OF COLORADO (rated 8.2/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Denver, see our Denver schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
RiseUp Community School Denver 0.1 mi 5.0
MONTESSORI ACADEMY OF COLORADO Denver 0.1 mi 8.2
Polaris Elementary School Denver 0.5 mi 9.0
Emily Griffith High School Denver 0.7 mi 3.5
Downtown Denver Expeditionary School Denver 0.7 mi 8.6
Gilliam School Denver 0.7 mi
Whittier ECE-8 School Denver 0.7 mi 4.8
Cole Arts and Science Academy Denver 0.9 mi 4.8
DSST: Cole Middle School Denver 1.0 mi 4.6
DSST: Cole High School Denver 1.0 mi 7.5
ANNUNCIATION Denver 1.1 mi 5.5
Manual High School Denver 1.0 mi 6.0
McAuliffe Manual Middle School Denver 1.0 mi 6.5
Morey Middle School Denver 1.3 mi 8.5
Denver School of Innovation and Sustainable Design Denver 1.3 mi 7.7
Garden Place Academy Denver 1.4 mi 4.8
Wyatt Academy Denver 1.2 mi 6.5
Denver Center for 21st-Century Learning at Wyman Denver 1.4 mi 7.0
Compassion Road Academy Denver 1.7 mi 7.2
Trevista at Horace Mann Denver 1.5 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80205 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$98,770

Median Home Value

$627,600

Median Rent

$1,816/mo

Population

33,856

College Educated

61.3%

Homeownership

38%

Avg Commute

25.6 min

Poverty Rate

17%

Median Age

33.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Columbine Elementary School Woodland Park, CO 5.3
High Plains Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO 5.3
Kenneth P Morris Elementary School Yuma, CO 5.3
Mesa Elementary School Westminster, CO 5.3
North Mor Elementary School Northglenn, CO 5.3
Sunset Ridge PK-8 Westminster, CO 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about University Prep - Arapahoe St.

What grades does University Prep - Arapahoe St. serve?

University Prep - Arapahoe St. serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend University Prep - Arapahoe St.?

University Prep - Arapahoe St. has an enrollment of approximately 285 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at University Prep - Arapahoe St.?

The student-teacher ratio at University Prep - Arapahoe St. is 10.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does University Prep - Arapahoe St. rank in CO?

University Prep - Arapahoe St. ranks #1,228 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is University Prep - Arapahoe St.'s MySchoolScout rating?

University Prep - Arapahoe St. has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 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 University Prep - Arapahoe St.?

Based on loaded state assessment records, University Prep - Arapahoe St. has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025).

Is University Prep - Arapahoe St. a charter school?

Yes, University Prep - Arapahoe St. is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is University Prep - Arapahoe St. a Title I school?

No, University Prep - Arapahoe St. is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for University Prep - Arapahoe St.?

90.5% of students at University Prep - Arapahoe St. 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
97 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
69 Good Transit
Bike Score
99 Biker’s Paradise

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
285
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
90.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Denver County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
70.2%

How we rate schools

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