Needs Improvement
#297 of 301 schools in WY
Cottonwood Elementary
Elementary School · Natrona County School District #1
1230 West 15th Street, Casper, WY 82601
Enrollment
376
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
2.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
376
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
2.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Wyoming schools
#297 of 301
In Casper
#23 of 24
public schools
In district
#25 of 26
Natrona County School District #1
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Cottonwood Elementary
Elementary School in Casper · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Dean Morgan Middle School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Natrona County High School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cottonwood Elementary
Cottonwood Elementary is a public elementary school in Casper, WY, part of Natrona County School District #1. Cottonwood Elementary serves approximately 376 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Cottonwood Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 out of 10 and ranks #297 of 301 schools in WY.
Structured state assessment records for Cottonwood Elementary show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2022) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2022).
- This school 2.5 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.1
- WY avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
44% of students at Cottonwood Elementary 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
Cottonwood Elementary — Students at Cottonwood Elementary score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
56.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WY EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 26 test records from WY 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: 1.8/10.
How Cottonwood Elementary Compares
See how Cottonwood Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1230 West 15th Street, Casper, WY 82601
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cottonwood Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ft. Caspar Academy (rated 7.4/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is EXCEL ACADMEY PRIVATE SCHOOL (rated 6.2/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PARADISE VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Casper, see our Casper schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Dean Morgan Middle School Casper | 0.5 mi | 3.7 |
| Natrona County High School Casper | 0.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Journey Elementary Casper | 0.9 mi | 2.0 |
| Southridge Elementary Casper | 1.0 mi | 4.3 |
| MOUNT HOPE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Casper | 0.9 mi | 3.9 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF CASPER Casper | 0.9 mi | — |
| Park Elementary Casper | 0.8 mi | 4.3 |
| MOUNTAIN ROAD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Casper | 1.7 mi | — |
| EXCEL ACADMEY PRIVATE SCHOOL Casper | 1.5 mi | 6.2 |
| C Y Middle School Casper | 1.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Crest Hill Elementary Casper | 2.0 mi | 2.7 |
| Roosevelt High School Casper | 2.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Sagewood Elementary Casper | 2.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Ft. Caspar Academy Casper | 2.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Casper Classical Academy Casper | 2.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Casper | 2.4 mi | 4.4 |
| WYOMING BEHAVIORAL INSTITUTE Casper | 2.4 mi | — |
| Pineview Elementary Casper | 2.8 mi | 2.9 |
| Manor Heights Elementary Casper | 2.8 mi | 3.7 |
| PARADISE VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Casper | 3.0 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 82601 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$68,526
Median Home Value
$244,200
Median Rent
$856/mo
Population
26,945
College Educated
27%
Homeownership
71.7%
Avg Commute
18.3 min
Poverty Rate
10.9%
Median Age
38
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Crest Hill Elementary Casper, WY | 2.7 |
| Bar Nunn Elementary Casper, WY | 2.9 |
| Henderson Elementary Cheyenne, WY | 2.9 |
| Lusk Elementary Lusk, WY | 2.9 |
| Oregon Trail Elementary Casper, WY | 2.9 |
| Pineview Elementary Casper, WY | 2.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cottonwood Elementary
What grades does Cottonwood Elementary serve?
Cottonwood Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Cottonwood Elementary?
Cottonwood Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 376 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Elementary is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cottonwood Elementary rank in WY?
Cottonwood Elementary ranks #297 of 301 schools in WY.
What is Cottonwood Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Cottonwood Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 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 Cottonwood Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cottonwood Elementary has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2022) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2022).
Is Cottonwood Elementary a charter school?
No, Cottonwood Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cottonwood Elementary a Title I school?
No, Cottonwood Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cottonwood Elementary?
56.6% of students at Cottonwood 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 376
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 56.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Natrona County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 44.1%
- Phone
- (307) 253-4700
Resources & Links
District
Natrona County School District #1- District Enrollment
- 12,799
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,870
- District Rank
- #25 of 26
Other Schools in This District
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