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Very Good

#484 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 27% in state

Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory

Elementary School · Aurora Joint District No. 28 of the counties of Adams and A

24551 EAST 1ST AVENUE, Aurora, CO 80018

Enrollment

937

Student-Teacher

18:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#484 of 1,815

In Aurora

#16 of 100

public schools

In district

#8 of 56

Aurora Joint District No. 28 of the counties of Adams and A

Academic growth

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory

7.5/10

Elementary School in Aurora · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory

6.5/10

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

Harmony Ridge P-8

8.3/10

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

About Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory

Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory is a public elementary school in Aurora, CO, part of Aurora Joint District No. 28 of the counties of Adams and A. Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory serves approximately 937 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 18:1 student-teacher ratio. Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #484 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).

How it compares2.1 pts above district
  • This school 7.5 · Very Good
  • District avg 5.4
  • CO avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

33% of students at Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory 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 Progress8.8Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.82 pts/yr
Data Period2010–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.1Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27.9% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency36.5% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg-8.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.4 pts
Overall Proficiency32% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected-2.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
Resources & Environment6.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,118
Chronic Absenteeism33.4%

Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory — Students at Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 28.9% (multi-year average, 2010-2025)
School
State
37.4% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 37.8% (multi-year average, 2010-2025)
School
State
45.5% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 39 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2010
Math
69%
ELA
81%
2011
Math
38%
ELA
50%
2012
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
39%
ELA
50%
2014
Math
15%
ELA
16%
2015
Math
20%
ELA
21%
2016
Math
21%
ELA
27%
2017
Math
23%
ELA
33%
2018
Math
25%
ELA
35%
2019
Math
25%
ELA
35%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
26%
2025
Math
27.9%
ELA
36.2%

* 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: 8.8/10.

How Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory Compares

See how Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
73th percentile in CO
Academic
6.1/10
Average
Growth
8.8/10
Excellent
Environment
6.1/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
52 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.4%

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

24551 EAST 1ST AVENUE, Aurora, CO 80018

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Aurora Quest K-8 (rated 9.4/10, 4.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Murphy Creek K-8 School (rated 8.5/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Harmony Ridge P-8 (rated 8.3/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Aurora, see our Aurora schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory Aurora 0.3 mi 6.5
Harmony Ridge P-8 Aurora 1.6 mi 8.3
Murphy Creek K-8 School Aurora 2.0 mi 8.5
Clyde Miller K-8 Aurora 3.5 mi 5.1
Green Valley Elementary School Denver 4.5 mi 5.3
Side Creek Elementary School Aurora 4.4 mi 3.3
Aurora Frontier K-8 Aurora 4.8 mi 6.4
Florida Pitt-Waller ECE-8 School Denver 5.2 mi 4.5
Marrama Elementary School Denver 5.0 mi 3.9
Dakota Valley Elementary School Aurora 5.6 mi 6.6
Arrowhead Elementary School Aurora 5.1 mi 3.8
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College Denver 5.3 mi 5.1
Aurora Quest K-8 Aurora 4.5 mi 9.4
Edna and John W. Mosley P-8 Aurora 4.6 mi 7.4
Vanguard Classical School - East Aurora 4.7 mi 6.5
William Smith High School Aurora 4.7 mi 7.5
Arkansas Elementary School Aurora 4.9 mi 3.8
CHRIST OUR REDEEMER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Aurora 5.2 mi 4.2
Mrachek Middle School Aurora 5.1 mi 3.9
Vassar Elementary School Aurora 5.3 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80018 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$127,390

Median Home Value

$558,800

Median Rent

$2,542/mo

Population

17,129

College Educated

39.9%

Homeownership

88.9%

Avg Commute

29.7 min

Poverty Rate

5.1%

Median Age

34.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Flagstaff Charter Academy Longmont, CO 7.5
Pine Ridge Elementary School Aurora, CO 7.5
Aspen View Academy Castle Rock, CO 7.6
Edna and John W. Mosley P-8 Aurora, CO 7.4
Gold Rush Elementary Parker, CO 7.6
Monarch K-8 School Louisville, CO 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory

What grades does Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory serve?

Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory?

Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory has an enrollment of approximately 937 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory?

The student-teacher ratio at Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory is 18:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory rank in CO?

Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory ranks #484 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory's MySchoolScout rating?

Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 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 Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).

Is Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory a charter school?

No, Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory a Title I school?

No, Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory?

55.8% of students at Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory 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
5 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
937
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
Teachers (FTE)
52
Free/Reduced Lunch
55.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Arapahoe County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.4%

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