Average
#232 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
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
376
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Casper
#13 of 24
public schools
Wyoming elementary schools
#123 of 159
In district
#14 of 26
Natrona County School District #1
Academic growth
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Cottonwood Elementary
Cottonwood Elementary is a regular public school located in the heart of Casper, Wyoming. Serving students from pre-K through fifth grade, Cottonwood offers a warm and welcoming environment for young learners. With an enrollment of 376 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1, the school ensures that each child receives individual attention and support.
Cottonwood Elementary focuses on providing a solid foundation in academics while also emphasizing social and emotional development. The academic performance data indicates areas for improvement, with state rankings placing it at number 267 out of 302 schools across Wyoming. However, the school is committed to fostering an inclusive community where every student can thrive.
In reading and math proficiency tests, 32% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 25% meet or exceed expectations in Math. Located in a small city setting within Natrona County, Cottonwood Elementary is part of the vibrant community around Casper. While specific neighborhood details aren’t available, the school’s central location makes it accessible to families from various areas of the city.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Cottonwood Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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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 6 test records from WY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.2/10.
How Cottonwood Elementary Compares
See how Cottonwood Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 27% (2019) to 27% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 32% (2019) to 32% (2022).
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 8.1/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Southridge Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, EXCEL ACADMEY PRIVATE SCHOOL (rated 6.2/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly 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 | 4.2 |
| Natrona County High School Casper | 0.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Journey Elementary Casper | 0.9 mi | 2.9 |
| Southridge Elementary Casper | 1.0 mi | 7.5 |
| MOUNT HOPE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Casper | 0.9 mi | 3.9 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF CASPER Casper | 0.9 mi | — |
| Park Elementary Casper | 0.8 mi | 2.6 |
| 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 | 5.7 |
| Crest Hill Elementary Casper | 2.0 mi | 3.5 |
| Roosevelt High School Casper | 2.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Sagewood Elementary Casper | 2.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Ft. Caspar Academy Casper | 2.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Casper Classical Academy Casper | 2.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Casper | 2.4 mi | 4.9 |
| WYOMING BEHAVIORAL INSTITUTE Casper | 2.4 mi | — |
| Pineview Elementary Casper | 2.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Manor Heights Elementary Casper | 2.8 mi | 5.2 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cottonwood Elementary has a median household income of $68,526. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $244,200, with a median rent of $856/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.9%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| Manor Heights Elementary Casper, WY | 5.2 |
| Slade Elementary Laramie, WY | 5.2 |
| Wyoming Indian Elementary Ethete, WY | 5.2 |
| Oregon Trail Elementary Casper, WY | 5.3 |
| Sunset Elementary Cody, WY | 5.1 |
| Afflerbach Elementary Cheyenne, WY | 5.0 |
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 is ranked #232 out of 301 schools in WY.
What is Cottonwood Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Cottonwood Elementary has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Cottonwood Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cottonwood Elementary has 25.3% math proficiency and 32.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (2,409/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Casper). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (307) 253-4700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Natrona County School District #1- District Enrollment
- 12,799
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,870
- District Rank
- #14 of 26
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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