Very Good
#558 of 1,815 schools in CO
Top 31% in state
University Prep - Steele St.
Elementary School · School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C
3230 EAST 38TH AVENUE, Denver, CO 80205
Enrollment
333
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
333
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Colorado schools
#558 of 1,815
In Denver
#85 of 222
public schools
In district
#80 of 196
School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C
Academic growth
7.8 / 10
Very Good
Shortlisting around University Prep - Steele St.?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
University Prep - Steele St.
Elementary School in Denver · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Bruce Randolph School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Colorado High School Charter - Ges
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About University Prep - Steele St.
University Prep - Steele 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 - Steele St. serves approximately 333 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio. University Prep - Steele St. has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #558 of 1,815 schools in CO.
Structured state assessment records for University Prep - Steele St. show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.3 · Very Good
- District avg 6.8
- CO avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
University Prep - Steele 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.
56% of students at University Prep - Steele 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
University Prep - Steele St. — Students at University Prep - Steele St. score 26% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 17%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
91%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 35 test records from CO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 7.8/10.
How University Prep - Steele St. Compares
See how University Prep - Steele St. performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
3230 EAST 38TH AVENUE, Denver, CO 80205
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering University Prep - Steele St. may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. French American School of Denver (rated 9.5/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Stedman Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Columbine Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Denver, see our Denver schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Bruce Randolph School Denver | 0.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Colorado High School Charter - GES Denver | 0.5 mi | 5.2 |
| HOPE CENTER Denver | 0.4 mi | — |
| INNER-CITY SCHOOL Denver | 0.5 mi | — |
| International Academy of Denver at Harrington Denver | 0.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Robert F. Smith STEAM Academy Denver | 0.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Columbine Elementary School Denver | 0.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Swansea Elementary School Denver | 0.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Prep Academy Denver | 1.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Wyatt Academy Denver | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Stedman Elementary School Denver | 1.1 mi | 7.8 |
| French American School of Denver Denver | 1.3 mi | 9.5 |
| DSST: Cole Middle School Denver | 1.1 mi | 4.6 |
| DSST: Cole High School Denver | 1.1 mi | 7.5 |
| ANNUNCIATION Denver | 1.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Manual High School Denver | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
| McAuliffe Manual Middle School Denver | 1.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Cole Arts and Science Academy Denver | 1.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Gilliam School Denver | 1.5 mi | — |
| MONTVIEW COMMUNITY PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Denver | 1.8 mi | — |
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 |
|---|---|
| Beattie Elementary School Fort Collins, CO | 7.3 |
| Buena Vista Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO | 7.3 |
| Peak Expeditionary - Pennington Wheat Ridge, CO | 7.3 |
| Peyton Elementary School Peyton, CO | 7.3 |
| Pomona Elementary School Grand Junction, CO | 7.3 |
| Red Sandstone Elementary School Vail, CO | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about University Prep - Steele St.
What grades does University Prep - Steele St. serve?
University Prep - Steele St. serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend University Prep - Steele St.?
University Prep - Steele St. has an enrollment of approximately 333 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at University Prep - Steele St.?
The student-teacher ratio at University Prep - Steele St. is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does University Prep - Steele St. rank in CO?
University Prep - Steele St. ranks #558 of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is University Prep - Steele St.'s MySchoolScout rating?
University Prep - Steele St. has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 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 - Steele St.?
Based on loaded state assessment records, University Prep - Steele St. has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is University Prep - Steele St. a charter school?
Yes, University Prep - Steele 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 - Steele St. a Title I school?
No, University Prep - Steele St. is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for University Prep - Steele St.?
91.0% of students at University Prep - Steele 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 333
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 91.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Denver County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 55.6%
- Phone
- (303) 329-8412
Resources & Links
District
School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C- District Enrollment
- 88,258
- Schools in District
- 197
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,206
- District Rank
- #80 of 196
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