Prairie Hills Elementary School

Summary:

Prairie Hills Elementary School is a public elementary school in Colorado Springs, Colorado, serving 361 students from kindergarten to 5th grade. It is part of the Academy School District No. 20, which is ranked 8th out of 116 school districts in Colorado and has a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger.

While Prairie Hills Elementary has a relatively diverse student population, with 70.08% White, 16.07% Hispanic, and 8.31% two or more races, its academic performance, as measured by CMAS test scores, is generally lower than the district and state averages. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, the school's proficiency rates in English Language Arts (54.1%) and Math (43.7%) were below the Academy School District No. 20 (61.1% and 50.4%, respectively) and the state of Colorado (44.1% and 34.2%, respectively). However, the school performs better for male students and low socioeconomic status students compared to female students and white students.

When comparing Prairie Hills Elementary to nearby schools within the same district, such as Chinook Trail Elementary and Legacy Peak Elementary, it generally performs lower in academic achievement. Additionally, the school's statewide ranking on SchoolDigger has fluctuated over the years, suggesting that its performance may be inconsistent or influenced by factors beyond just academic achievement.


Detail:

Public K-5

 8025 Telegraph Drive
       Colorado Springs, CO  80920-7095


(719) 234-5100

District: Academy School District No. 20

SchoolDigger Rank:
372nd of 943 Colorado Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $13,055 Help


Students who attend Prairie Hills Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Timberview Middle School
High:    Liberty High School

Student/teacher ratio:  13.1 Help
Number of students:  348

Racial breakdown:

White:
68.7%
Hispanic:
17.8%
Two or more races:
8.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  39.4% Help


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 Compare Prairie Hills Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Prairie Hills Elementary School ranks better than 60.6% of elementary schools in Colorado. It also ranks 18th among 21 ranked elementary schools in the Academy School District No. 20. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 59.2. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (68.7%), Hispanic (17.8%), two or more races (8.3%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 39.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Prairie Hills Elementary School is 13.1, which is the 6th best among 21 elementary schools in the Academy School District No. 20. (See more...)
Help
Compare Prairie Hills Elementary School employs 26.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Prairie Hills Elementary School is $13,055, which is the 7th highest among 21 elementary schools in the Academy School District No. 20.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Prairie Hills Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Prairie Hills Elementary School 372nd of 943 Colorado public elementary schools. (See Prairie Hills Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Academy School District No. 20:

SchoolDigger ranks Academy School District No. 20 8th of 116 Colorado school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Prairie Hills Elementary School?

Rank History for Prairie Hills Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Prairie Hills Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 78.82 160th 808 80.2%
2005 75.71 199th 823 75.8%
2006 70.53 252nd 829 69.6%
2007 78.09 159th 852 81.3%
2008 75.06 198th 849 76.7%
2009 70.28 263rd 872 69.8%
2010 67.36 318th 925 65.6%
2011 71.62 267th 935 71.4%
2012 66.72 333rd 935 64.4%
2013 59.95 402nd 954 57.9%
2014 55.36 447th 962 53.5%
2015 62.69 310th 938 67.0%
2016 63.46 298th 914 67.4%
2017 68.45 259th 929 72.1%
2018 59.63 336th 917 63.4%
2019 63.08 331st 965 65.7%
2021 50.29 379th 710 46.6%
2022 65.25 295th 921 68.0%
2023 67.82 272nd 933 70.8%
2024 59.20 372nd 943 60.6%
See the entire list of Colorado Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Prairie Hills Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 80.97 25th 308 91.9%
2019 80.00 31st 332 90.7%
2023 31.63 198th 265 25.3%
2024 53.19 155th 365 57.5%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Prairie Hills Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 49.57 317th 690 54.1%
2019 48.91 362nd 758 52.2%
2021 24.58 305th 351 13.1%
2022 56.14 257th 595 56.8%
2023 55.58 268th 642 58.3%
2024 56.94 271st 684 60.4%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Prairie Hills Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 51.06 294th 693 57.6%
2019 63.08 241st 764 68.5%
2021 51.43 207th 352 41.2%
2022 55.95 250th 594 57.9%
2023 59.82 237th 649 63.5%
2024 57.82 269th 683 60.6%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Prairie Hills Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 32.23 238th 337 29.4%
2019 43.23 333rd 596 44.1%
2022 49.82 238th 454 47.6%
2023 48.70 271st 525 48.4%
2024 39.00 346th 539 35.8%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Colorado Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Prairie Hills Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Colorado Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1.8)
0%

25%

0%

0%

75%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Monday, April 16, 2018

Open Quote We haven't had any problems. Our older daughter went K-5th grade, and youngest is in 1st grade right now. We are near another school (between 2 elementary schools) but have always liked the teachers and have not considered pulling out and going to another school. Close Quote


by a parent
Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Open Quote We moved to Colorado Springs over the summer so this was our first year at Prairie Hills. This is by far the worst school we have ever dealt with. The administration is horrible and the teachers are just as bad. They have taken 2 children who loved school and completely turned them around to hate everything about it. They have zero communication with the parents and do not seem to care whatsoever about your input. Horrible administration, horrible teachers, horrible school! The only thing to look forward to in regards to Prairie Hills is leaving, considering pulling them out mid year to transfer. If you care about your kids education and willingness to learn find a different school! Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, May 28, 2015

Open Quote This is our first year at this school and it will be the last. The administration at this school are the absolute worst type of people in charge. My child had a few incidents with bullies at the beginning of the school year and as a result of that has been unfairly singled out if anything else has happened where my child has been involved. Meaning he has been labeled a "trouble causer" when he was the victim and has been unjustly treated ALL YEAR LONG. My input on his consequences for the many things were he was a victim not the instigator, has fallen on deaf ears. The assistant principal thinks she is god at this school and her word is the final one. The principal is of the same mind. The administration has meetings with your kids when there is a supposed "incident" that you won't find out about from them only from your kids, this is very troubling and inappropriate to me. RUN as fast as you can from this school and this district for that matter. There is no accountability at any level and zero transparency and communication. If you try to speak to the superintendent you get the run around. D-20 is touted as the best in Colorado Springs but that is the polar opposite of what my kids and I have experienced in one school year. The administration needs to be fired and charged with harassment. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Prairie Hills Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1994 427 16 13 27 4 n/a n/a 0 487
1995 534 23 24 31 3 n/a n/a 0 615
1996 534 23 24 31 3 n/a n/a 0 615
1997 598 27 19 33 13 n/a n/a 0 690
1998 624 27 25 32 7 n/a n/a 0 715
1999 525 25 21 27 9 n/a n/a 0 607
2000 488 24 14 29 9 n/a n/a 0 564
2001 488 22 12 33 5 n/a n/a 0 560
2002 505 27 18 33 3 n/a n/a 0 586
2003 505 27 18 33 3 n/a n/a 0 586
2004 502 34 20 42 2 n/a n/a 0 600
2005 460 44 24 41 3 n/a n/a 0 572
2006 469 33 24 43 5 n/a n/a 0 574
2007 488 35 28 45 5 n/a n/a 0 601
2008 475 38 24 43 4 n/a n/a 0 584
2009 457 27 24 39 1 n/a n/a 0 548
2010 470 26 29 56 2 n/a n/a 0 583
2011 428 14 11 59 4 6 26 0 548
2012 398 11 9 68 4 5 33 0 528
2013 385 12 6 67 2 3 27 0 502
2014 383 14 5 66 1 3 26 0 498
2015 337 11 8 69 2 4 42 0 473
2016 327 9 2 73 2 1 32 0 446
2017 314 15 5 78 3 2 28 0 445
2018 296 13 4 80 3 2 38 0 436
2019 293 10 3 90 5 0 37 0 438
2020 269 10 6 76 4 1 39 0 405
2021 266 17 4 71 3 2 26 0 389
2022 271 16 6 69 3 2 31 0 398
2023 253 14 3 58 1 2 30 0 361
2024 239 13 3 62 1 1 29 0 348

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Prairie Hills Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1994 487 24.3 20.0 3.5
1995 615 31.2 19.7 2
1996 615 31.2 19.7 2
1997 690 35.8 19.3 1.2
1998 715 34.6 20.7 2.7
1999 607 33.4 18.2 1.6
2000 564 35.5 15.9 3.5
2001 560 35.3 15.9 3.8
2002 586 36.1 16.2 6.1
2003 586 36.1 16.2 6.1
2004 600 35.4 16.9 6.5
2005 572 33.6 17.0 6.6
2006 574 33.7 17.0 5.7
2007 601 36.2 16.6 8.3
2008 584 35.2 16.6 11.3
2009 548 35.2 15.6 12.4
2010 583 34.2 17.0 16.3
2011 548 34.2 16.0 16.1
2012 528 32.2 16.3 18.8
2013 502 30.5 16.4 21.9
2014 498 31.7 15.7 22.9
2015 473 31.0 15.2 20.9
2016 446 29.0 15.3 21.7
2017 445 28.7 15.5 27.6
2018 436 28.6 15.2 28.9
2019 438 27.0 16.2 25.6
2020 405 29.0 13.9 27.2
2021 389 28.9 13.4 27.5
2022 398 30.6 13.0 16.8
2023 361 27.0 13.3 23.5
2024 348 26.5 13.1 39.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Prairie Hills Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1994 487 24.3 20.0 3.5
1995 615 31.2 19.7 2
1996 615 31.2 19.7 2
1997 690 35.8 19.3 1.2
1998 715 34.6 20.7 2.7
1999 607 33.4 18.2 1.6
2000 564 35.5 15.9 3.5
2001 560 35.3 15.9 3.8
2002 586 36.1 16.2 6.1
2003 586 36.1 16.2 6.1
2004 600 35.4 16.9 6.5
2005 572 33.6 17.0 6.6
2006 574 33.7 17.0 5.7
2007 601 36.2 16.6 8.3
2008 584 35.2 16.6 11.3
2009 548 35.2 15.6 12.4
2010 583 34.2 17.0 16.3
2011 548 34.2 16.0 16.1
2012 528 32.2 16.3 18.8
2013 502 30.5 16.4 21.9
2014 498 31.7 15.7 22.9
2015 473 31.0 15.2 20.9
2016 446 29.0 15.3 21.7
2017 445 28.7 15.5 27.6
2018 436 28.6 15.2 28.9
2019 438 27.0 16.2 25.6
2020 405 29.0 13.9 27.2
2021 389 28.9 13.4 27.5
2022 398 30.6 13.0 16.8
2023 361 27.0 13.3 23.5
2024 348 26.5 13.1 39.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Prairie Hills Elementary School

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $10,353
2020 $10,992
2021 $11,570
2022 $11,998
2023 $13,055

Data source: Colorado Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Prairie Hills Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 331st of 965 Elementary schoolsRanks 272nd of 933 Elementary schools
 5.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Prairie Hills Elementary School)41.440.3
 1.1%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Academy School District No. 20)54.650.1
 4.5%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)41.339.9
 1.4%
3rd Grade Math (Prairie Hills Elementary School)36.251.7
 15.5%
   3rd Grade Math (Academy School District No. 20)55.854.6
 1.2%
   3rd Grade Math (Colorado)4140.4
 0.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Prairie Hills Elementary School)61.355.6
 5.7%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Academy School District No. 20)64.358.8
 5.5%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)4843.8
 4.2%
4th Grade Math (Prairie Hills Elementary School)46.250
 3.8%
   4th Grade Math (Academy School District No. 20)50.548.9
 1.6%
   4th Grade Math (Colorado)33.632.7
 0.9%
5th Grade Science (Prairie Hills Elementary School)38.644.3
 5.7%
   5th Grade Science (Academy School District No. 20)54.948.1
 6.8%
   5th Grade Science (Colorado)35.933.9
 2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Prairie Hills Elementary School)63.156.2
 6.9%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Academy School District No. 20)67.365.1
 2.2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)48.447.8
 0.6%
5th Grade Math (Prairie Hills Elementary School)42.246.6
 4.4%
   5th Grade Math (Academy School District No. 20)51.353.4
 2.1%
   5th Grade Math (Colorado)35.736.5
 0.8%
All Grades English Language Arts (Prairie Hills Elementary School)56.450.8
 5.6%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Academy School District No. 20)6260.4
 1.6%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Colorado)45.843.7
 2.1%
All Grades Math (Prairie Hills Elementary School)41.749.2
 7.5%
   All Grades Math (Academy School District No. 20)49.848.6
 1.2%
   All Grades Math (Colorado)34.732.9
 1.8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students438361
 17.6%
African American1014
 40%
American Indian51
 80%
Asian33
Hispanic9058
 35.6%
Pacific Islander02
White293253
 13.7%
Two or More Races3730
 18.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients25.6%23.5%
 2%


Schools Near Prairie Hills Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Prairie Hills Elementary School

Students at Prairie Hills Elementary School are 69% White, 18% Hispanic, 8% Two or more races, 4% African American.

Students who attend Prairie Hills Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Timberview Middle School
High : Liberty High School

In the 2023-24 school year, 348 students attended Prairie Hills Elementary School.

Prairie Hills Elementary School ranks 372nd of 943 Colorado elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Colorado Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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