Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory

Summary:

Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory is a public elementary and middle school in Aurora, Colorado, serving 1,037 students in grades PK-8. The school is part of the Aurora Joint District No. 28, which is ranked 107 out of 116 districts in the state and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory has a diverse student population, with 40.69% Hispanic, 28.16% White, 15.53% African American, and 6.17% Asian students. The school's academic performance, as measured by CMAS test scores, is generally higher than the Aurora Joint District No. 28 average but lower than the state average. For example, in 2023-2024, 34% of Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory students were proficient or better in CMAS English Language Arts, compared to 24.2% for the district and 44.1% for the state. However, the school's performance varies significantly across different student subgroups, ranking in the top 10 in Colorado for African American students but in the bottom half for Hispanic, White, and English Language Learner students.

Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory's statewide ranking has declined over the years, from 502 out of 710 Colorado elementary schools in 2020-2021 to 630 out of 943 in 2023-2024, suggesting the school is struggling to keep pace with others in the state. Several nearby schools, such as Aurora Frontier K-8 and Murphy Creek K-8 School, have significantly higher academic performance than Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory. Additionally, the school has seen a steady increase in the percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, from 34.81% in 2020-2021 to 48.31% in 2022-2023, indicating the school is serving a population with greater economic challenges.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-8

 24551 East 1st Avenue
       Aurora, CO  80018-1633


(303) 364-3757

District: Aurora Joint District No. 28

SchoolDigger Rank:
630th of 943 Colorado Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $15,333 Help


Students who attend Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory usually attend:

High:    Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory

Student/teacher ratio:  20.6 Help
Number of students:  1,037

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
40.7%
White:
28.2%
African American:
15.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  48.3% Help


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 Compare Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory ranks worse than 66.8% of elementary schools in Colorado. It also ranks 6th among 38 ranked elementary schools in the Aurora Joint District No. 28. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 28.53. (See more...)
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Compare Details Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory ranks worse than 57.3% of middle schools in Colorado. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 34.87. (See more...)
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
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 Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory has the largest elementary school student body size in the Aurora Joint District No. 28.  (See more...)
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory is $15,333. 32 elementary schools in the Aurora Joint District No. 28 spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory:

SchoolDigger ranks Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory 630th of 943 Colorado public elementary schools. (See Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory 278th of 485 Colorado public middle schools. (See Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


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


Aurora Joint District No. 28:

SchoolDigger ranks Aurora Joint District No. 28 107th of 116 Colorado school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory?

Rank History for Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory

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Rank History for all elementary school students at Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2013 12.40 847th 954 11.2%
2014 11.91 875th 962 9.0%
2015 11.90 866th 938 7.7%
2016 15.95 783rd 914 14.3%
2017 26.69 660th 929 29.0%
2018 26.17 657th 917 28.4%
2019 29.66 658th 965 31.8%
2021 32.47 502nd 710 29.3%
2022 24.89 667th 921 27.6%
2023 22.36 705th 933 24.4%
2024 28.53 630th 943 33.2%
See the entire list of Colorado Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school English Language Learner students at Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 25.16 36th 43 16.3%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 19.32 277th 308 10.1%
2019 24.10 285th 332 14.2%
2022 46.62 94th 203 53.7%
2023 35.39 182nd 265 31.3%
2024 26.76 285th 365 21.9%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 22.05 553rd 690 19.9%
2019 23.98 570th 758 24.8%
2021 40.35 256th 351 27.1%
2022 21.48 472nd 595 20.7%
2023 21.04 505th 642 21.3%
2024 25.66 508th 684 25.7%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 19.78 568th 693 18.0%
2019 26.10 555th 764 27.4%
2021 14.78 331st 352 6.0%
2022 17.04 497th 594 16.3%
2023 13.27 577th 649 11.1%
2024 17.69 558th 683 18.3%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school African American students at Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 40.96 10th 18 44.4%
2023 29.78 16th 20 20.0%
2024 34.65 10th 18 44.4%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for elementary school Hispanic students at Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 21.12 150th 172 12.8%
2019 27.19 213th 270 21.1%
2021 37.44 22nd 30 26.7%
2022 18.32 137th 153 10.5%
2023 21.49 169th 197 14.2%
2024 25.31 191st 242 21.1%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 27.51 257th 337 23.7%
2019 35.54 396th 596 33.6%
2021 32.62 231st 288 19.8%
2022 28.28 361st 454 20.5%
2023 16.59 475th 525 9.5%
2024 30.64 401st 539 25.6%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for White Students!

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

Rank History for Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory

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Rank History for all middle school students at Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2013 16.51 391st 454 13.9%
2014 13.43 409th 461 11.3%
2015 16.83 381st 436 12.6%
2016 20.68 328th 400 18.0%
2017 19.83 339th 424 20.0%
2018 23.45 312th 418 25.4%
2019 27.67 319th 458 30.3%
2021 35.83 229th 369 37.9%
2022 45.55 221st 448 50.7%
2023 40.34 255th 480 46.9%
2024 34.87 278th 485 42.7%
See the entire list of Colorado Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 28.25 166th 222 25.2%
2019 26.37 187th 240 22.1%
2022 58.91 53rd 197 73.1%
2023 53.87 82nd 241 66.0%
2024 43.18 124th 244 49.2%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 20.69 252nd 315 20.0%
2019 23.04 270th 352 23.3%
2022 39.56 184th 326 43.6%
2023 46.37 174th 363 52.1%
2024 31.50 223rd 350 36.3%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Gifted and Talented students at Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 58.31 64th 125 48.8%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 20.48 250th 317 21.1%
2019 28.71 228th 343 33.5%
2022 40.83 175th 328 46.6%
2023 27.89 234th 356 34.3%
2024 29.69 237th 357 33.6%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school Hispanic students at Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 28.58 118th 165 28.5%
2019 29.61 160th 220 27.3%
2022 38.00 97th 169 42.6%
2023 41.84 108th 198 45.5%
2024 38.55 111th 199 44.2%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 28.39 143rd 199 28.1%
2019 36.78 183rd 283 35.3%
2021 45.27 106th 203 47.8%
2022 54.10 113th 265 57.4%
2023 47.14 146th 286 49.0%
2024 30.36 191st 273 30.0%
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.

Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 









Data source: Colorado Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)
50%

0%

0%

0%

50%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Monday, April 24, 2017

Open Quote Smart kids fall though the cracks. There are plenty of diversified tactics visibly in play for kids that are struggling, but when my kid finishes her work in the first 5 minutes of the day, she is instructed to entertain herself for the rest of the day. Close Quote


by a parent
Friday, September 26, 2014

Open Quote Incredible school! We moved from a wealthy area in Littleton 2 years ago. The schools in that area all had a student to teacher ratio of 1 to 30+ students

Vista Peak Prep and Exploratory have blown my expectations out of the water!!!

My children are being lead with strong moral standards from the Faculty. The drop-out rate is lower then most of the wealthiest areas in the state..

My Senior is more prepared for the world then I could have ever imagined!! He received a full ride academic scholarship to a prestigious University, while being a full time athlete in Highschool.

** My children tell me that they hardly ever hear or see bullying at school. The staff truly allow the children to grow and learn in a positive environment. 5 stars!!! Close Quote



Enrollment information for Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2011 363 126 14 338 5 1 40 0 887
2012 377 90 6 386 5 5 47 0 916
2013 400 92 19 440 11 5 81 0 1048
2014 437 82 23 499 9 6 76 0 1132
2015 444 89 27 547 14 7 80 0 1208
2016 333 82 31 392 12 7 73 0 930
2017 314 111 30 449 11 0 94 0 1009
2018 314 143 32 479 13 2 85 0 1068
2019 328 140 38 535 8 0 101 0 1150
2020 330 150 40 596 10 1 98 0 1225
2021 282 105 43 340 5 1 83 0 859
2022 291 134 49 379 7 1 100 0 961
2023 292 161 64 422 4 1 93 0 1037

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 Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2011 887 42.1 21.0 46.1
2012 916 40.2 22.7 50
2013 1048 49.9 20.9 48.4
2014 1132 62.1 18.2 45.5
2015 1208 64.0 18.8 49.1
2016 930 54.0 17.2 41.4
2017 1009 55.3 18.2 44.6
2018 1068 53.5 19.9 44.1
2019 1150 52.5 21.8 40.2
2020 1225 56.8 21.5 50.5
2021 859 47.9 17.8 34.8
2022 961 44.5 21.5 39.2
2023 1037 50.1 20.6 48.3

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 Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2011 887 42.1 21.0 46.1
2012 916 40.2 22.7 50
2013 1048 49.9 20.9 48.4
2014 1132 62.1 18.2 45.5
2015 1208 64.0 18.8 49.1
2016 930 54.0 17.2 41.4
2017 1009 55.3 18.2 44.6
2018 1068 53.5 19.9 44.1
2019 1150 52.5 21.8 40.2
2020 1225 56.8 21.5 50.5
2021 859 47.9 17.8 34.8
2022 961 44.5 21.5 39.2
2023 1037 50.1 20.6 48.3

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 Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $10,811
2020 $11,651
2021 $14,536
2022 $14,833
2023 $15,333

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory

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 658th of 965 Elementary schoolsRanks 705th of 933 Elementary schools
 7.4%
Ranks 319th of 458 Middle schoolsRanks 255th of 480 Middle schools
 16.5%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory)28.814.5
 14.3%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Aurora Joint District No. 28)22.819.8
 3%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)41.339.9
 1.4%
3rd Grade Math (Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory)34.624.5
 10.1%
   3rd Grade Math (Aurora Joint District No. 28)23.718
 5.7%
   3rd Grade Math (Colorado)4140.4
 0.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory)34.117.8
 16.3%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Aurora Joint District No. 28)2723.3
 3.7%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)4843.8
 4.2%
4th Grade Math (Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory)26.422.4
 4%
   4th Grade Math (Aurora Joint District No. 28)1715.5
 1.5%
   4th Grade Math (Colorado)33.632.7
 0.9%
5th Grade Science (Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory)2425
 1%
   5th Grade Science (Aurora Joint District No. 28)15.914.6
 1.3%
   5th Grade Science (Colorado)35.933.9
 2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory)30.533
 2.5%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Aurora Joint District No. 28)28.524.6
 3.9%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)48.447.8
 0.6%
5th Grade Math (Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory)24.227.8
 3.6%
   5th Grade Math (Aurora Joint District No. 28)19.317
 2.3%
   5th Grade Math (Colorado)35.736.5
 0.8%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory)41.533.3
 8.2%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Aurora Joint District No. 28)25.323.5
 1.8%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)43.643.4
 0.2%
6th Grade Math (Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory)2518.8
 6.2%
   6th Grade Math (Aurora Joint District No. 28)15.611.6
 4%
   6th Grade Math (Colorado)29.528.2
 1.3%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory)27.533.7
 6.2%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Aurora Joint District No. 28)25.225
 0.2%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)46.545
 1.5%
7th Grade Math (Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory)17.423.3
 5.9%
   7th Grade Math (Aurora Joint District No. 28)14.511.6
 2.9%
   7th Grade Math (Colorado)31.626.3
 5.3%
8th Grade Science (Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory)10.731
 20.3%
   8th Grade Science (Aurora Joint District No. 28)11.213.4
 2.2%
   8th Grade Science (Colorado)31.531.3
 0.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory)4550
 5%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Aurora Joint District No. 28)3024
 6%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)46.942.4
 4.5%
8th Grade Math (Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory)23.333.3
 10%
   8th Grade Math (Aurora Joint District No. 28)19.317.3
 2%
   8th Grade Math (Colorado)36.932.7
 4.2%
All Grades English Language Arts (Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory)34.629.5
 5.1%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Aurora Joint District No. 28)26.423.3
 3.1%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Colorado)45.843.7
 2.1%
All Grades Math (Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory)24.824.9
 0.1%
   All Grades Math (Aurora Joint District No. 28)18.215.2
 3%
   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 Students11501037
 9.8%
African American140161
 15%
American Indian84
 50%
Asian3864
 68.4%
Hispanic535422
 21.1%
Pacific Islander01
White328292
 11%
Two or More Races10193
 7.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients40.2%48.3%
 8.1%


Schools Near Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory









Frequently Asked Questions about Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory

Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory ranks 630th of 943 Colorado elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Students who attend Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory usually go on to attend:

High : Vista Peak 9-12 Preparatory

Students at Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory are 41% Hispanic, 28% White, 16% African American, 9% Two or more races, 6% Asian.

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,037 students attended Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory.


Rate Vista Peak P-8 Exploratory!



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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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