Polton Community Elementary School

Summary:

Polton Community Elementary School is a public elementary school in Aurora, Colorado, serving 477 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Cherry Creek School District No. 5, which is ranked 28th out of 116 districts in the state and has a 4-star rating.

Polton Community Elementary School stands out for its diverse student population, with a racial makeup of 33.54% White, 23.06% African American, 25.16% Hispanic, 4.82% Asian, and 12.79% two or more races. However, the school's academic performance has been consistently below average, ranking between 529 and 762 out of 710 to 921 Colorado elementary schools in recent years. Its proficiency rates on state assessments range from 14.5% to 32.4% in English Language Arts and 10.4% to 26.3% in Math, which are lower than the district and state averages. The school also has a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 49.24% to 54.72%, significantly higher than nearby schools.

Despite its challenges, Polton Community Elementary School has a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 12.9 to 14.9, lower than the nearby Yale Elementary School, Samuels Elementary School, and other schools in the Aurora Joint District No. 28 and School District No. 1. Addressing the school's declining academic performance and the needs of its diverse, low-socioeconomic student population will be crucial for improving student outcomes and ensuring equitable educational opportunities.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 2985 South Oakland Street
       Aurora, CO  80014-3143


(720) 747-2600

District: Cherry Creek School District No. 5

SchoolDigger Rank:
662nd of 943 Colorado Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $16,729 Help


Students who attend Polton Community Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Prairie Middle School
High:    Overland High School

Student/teacher ratio:  14.9 Help
Number of students:  477

Racial breakdown:

White:
33.5%
Hispanic:
25.2%
African American:
23.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  54.7% Help


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 Compare Polton Community Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Polton Community Elementary School ranks worse than 70.2% of elementary schools in Colorado. It also ranks 34th among 46 ranked elementary schools in the Cherry Creek School District No. 5. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 25.99. (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 Polton Community Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Cherry Creek School District No. 5.  (See more...)
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Polton Community Elementary School is $16,729, which is the 12th highest among 46 elementary schools in the Cherry Creek School District No. 5.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Polton Community Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Polton Community Elementary School 662nd of 943 Colorado public elementary schools. (See Polton Community 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:


Cherry Creek School District No. 5:

SchoolDigger ranks Cherry Creek School District No. 5 28th of 116 Colorado school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Polton Community Elementary School?

Rank History for Polton Community Elementary School

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Rank History for all students at Polton Community Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 46.36 476th 808 41.1%
2005 50.56 458th 823 44.3%
2006 52.05 442nd 829 46.7%
2007 51.73 463rd 852 45.7%
2008 60.80 363rd 849 57.2%
2009 60.92 371st 872 57.5%
2010 53.42 477th 925 48.4%
2011 55.62 454th 935 51.4%
2012 49.04 524th 935 44.0%
2013 52.96 481st 954 49.6%
2014 58.20 411th 962 57.3%
2015 53.90 393rd 938 58.1%
2016 42.11 485th 914 46.9%
2017 40.08 517th 929 44.3%
2018 34.23 578th 917 37.0%
2019 36.21 586th 965 39.3%
2021 29.54 529th 710 25.5%
2022 17.45 762nd 921 17.3%
2023 25.47 665th 933 28.7%
2024 25.99 662nd 943 29.8%
See the entire list of Colorado Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Polton Community Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 37.15 209th 308 32.1%
2019 42.48 188th 332 43.4%
2022 27.38 163rd 203 19.7%
2023 43.40 155th 265 41.5%
2024 25.92 290th 365 20.5%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Polton Community Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 30.23 477th 690 30.9%
2019 39.74 431st 758 43.1%
2023 18.93 523rd 642 18.5%
2024 30.37 473rd 684 30.8%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Polton Community Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 23.93 530th 693 23.5%
2019 21.92 591st 764 22.6%
2023 19.71 528th 649 18.6%
2024 9.16 653rd 683 4.4%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Polton Community Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 36.15 171st 270 36.7%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Polton Community Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 32.82 237th 337 29.7%
2019 26.13 456th 596 23.5%
2023 22.60 441st 525 16.0%
2024 15.13 489th 539 9.3%
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.

Polton Community Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
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Data source: Colorado Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Open Quote Polton Has a safe environment and is the only 2 elementary schools with S.T.E.M. That means Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. It has wonderful, nice, etc. staff members.It has Preschool to 5th grade which is extraordinary. It also has a daycare that is a summer long too. I would say Polton is the best school in the Cherry Creek district. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Polton Community Elementary School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 375 24 7 6 0 n/a n/a 0 412
1989 426 34 6 6 0 n/a n/a 0 472
1990 439 31 6 4 1 n/a n/a 0 481
1991 392 31 8 4 1 n/a n/a 0 436
1992 394 22 8 11 1 n/a n/a 0 436
1993 355 28 13 13 1 n/a n/a 0 410
1994 336 23 11 13 1 n/a n/a 0 384
1995 357 26 9 9 3 n/a n/a 0 404
1996 357 26 9 9 3 n/a n/a 0 404
1997 339 34 6 11 3 n/a n/a 0 393
1998 333 42 4 20 3 n/a n/a 0 402
1999 319 50 11 23 4 n/a n/a 0 407
2000 311 64 9 26 3 n/a n/a 0 413
2001 289 63 16 29 7 n/a n/a 0 404
2002 257 72 21 41 2 n/a n/a 0 393
2003 257 72 21 41 2 n/a n/a 0 393
2004 276 122 20 50 4 n/a n/a 0 472
2005 279 119 30 53 2 n/a n/a 0 483
2006 269 135 15 57 2 n/a n/a 0 478
2007 262 147 20 69 2 n/a n/a 0 500
2008 271 143 17 71 2 n/a n/a 0 504
2009 269 112 23 64 0 n/a n/a 0 468
2010 268 105 25 62 2 n/a n/a 0 462
2011 242 91 26 74 2 1 49 0 485
2012 262 82 28 84 2 2 42 0 502
2013 258 88 27 80 3 3 44 0 503
2014 253 92 24 104 2 3 48 0 526
2015 246 108 29 87 2 2 50 0 524
2016 229 97 42 110 1 2 56 0 537
2017 223 96 33 113 1 4 61 0 531
2018 208 109 43 108 4 3 61 0 536
2019 189 108 40 118 3 1 57 0 516
2020 198 136 42 100 4 0 64 0 544
2021 185 121 26 106 2 0 61 0 501
2022 171 113 24 100 2 0 53 0 463
2023 160 110 23 120 2 1 61 0 477

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 Polton Community Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 412 20.5 20.0 n/a
1989 472 22.6 20.8 3.4
1990 481 27.1 17.7 2.3
1991 436 23.3 18.7 5.3
1992 436 21.8 20.0 5.3
1993 410 21.8 18.8 10.5
1994 384 23.8 16.1 14.3
1995 404 21.9 18.5 5.9
1996 404 21.9 18.5 5.9
1997 393 22.3 17.6 6.1
1998 402 22.1 18.2 8.7
1999 407 28.0 14.5 9.1
2000 413 24.2 17.1 15.3
2001 404 24.4 16.6 13.9
2002 393 30.2 13.0 15.3
2003 393 30.2 13.0 15.3
2004 472 35.4 13.3 17.4
2005 483 34.0 14.2 24.6
2006 478 35.9 13.3 28.5
2007 500 34.2 14.6 32.6
2008 504 31.1 16.2 33.9
2009 468 29.1 16.1 37.4
2010 462 30.8 15.0 31.4
2011 485 28.6 16.9 39.8
2012 502 29.9 16.7 38.8
2013 503 30.7 16.3 37
2014 526 29.8 17.6 36.3
2015 524 28.0 18.7 38.9
2016 537 34.0 15.7 43.6
2017 531 33.0 16.0 44.4
2018 536 34.6 15.4 50.6
2019 516 34.9 14.7 51.6
2020 544 32.5 16.7 52.8
2021 501 33.7 14.8 53.9
2022 463 35.6 12.9 49.2
2023 477 31.9 14.9 54.7

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 Polton Community Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 412 20.5 20.0 n/a
1989 472 22.6 20.8 3.4
1990 481 27.1 17.7 2.3
1991 436 23.3 18.7 5.3
1992 436 21.8 20.0 5.3
1993 410 21.8 18.8 10.5
1994 384 23.8 16.1 14.3
1995 404 21.9 18.5 5.9
1996 404 21.9 18.5 5.9
1997 393 22.3 17.6 6.1
1998 402 22.1 18.2 8.7
1999 407 28.0 14.5 9.1
2000 413 24.2 17.1 15.3
2001 404 24.4 16.6 13.9
2002 393 30.2 13.0 15.3
2003 393 30.2 13.0 15.3
2004 472 35.4 13.3 17.4
2005 483 34.0 14.2 24.6
2006 478 35.9 13.3 28.5
2007 500 34.2 14.6 32.6
2008 504 31.1 16.2 33.9
2009 468 29.1 16.1 37.4
2010 462 30.8 15.0 31.4
2011 485 28.6 16.9 39.8
2012 502 29.9 16.7 38.8
2013 503 30.7 16.3 37
2014 526 29.8 17.6 36.3
2015 524 28.0 18.7 38.9
2016 537 34.0 15.7 43.6
2017 531 33.0 16.0 44.4
2018 536 34.6 15.4 50.6
2019 516 34.9 14.7 51.6
2020 544 32.5 16.7 52.8
2021 501 33.7 14.8 53.9
2022 463 35.6 12.9 49.2
2023 477 31.9 14.9 54.7

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 Polton Community Elementary School

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $12,199
2020 $11,661
2021 $12,127
2022 $15,042
2023 $16,729

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Polton Community 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 586th of 965 Elementary schoolsRanks 665th of 933 Elementary schools
 10.6%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Polton Community Elementary School)35.516.4
 19.1%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Cherry Creek School District No. 5)48.546.1
 2.4%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)41.339.9
 1.4%
3rd Grade Math (Polton Community Elementary School)39.725.4
 14.3%
   3rd Grade Math (Cherry Creek School District No. 5)49.947.8
 2.1%
   3rd Grade Math (Colorado)4140.4
 0.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Polton Community Elementary School)43.935.8
 8.1%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Cherry Creek School District No. 5)53.949.3
 4.6%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)4843.8
 4.2%
4th Grade Math (Polton Community Elementary School)27.313
 14.3%
   4th Grade Math (Cherry Creek School District No. 5)39.636.4
 3.2%
   4th Grade Math (Colorado)33.632.7
 0.9%
5th Grade Science (Polton Community Elementary School)30.824.2
 6.6%
   5th Grade Science (Cherry Creek School District No. 5)41.139.4
 1.7%
   5th Grade Science (Colorado)35.933.9
 2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Polton Community Elementary School)39.645.6
 6%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Cherry Creek School District No. 5)51.854.9
 3.1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)48.447.8
 0.6%
5th Grade Math (Polton Community Elementary School)23.123.2
 0.1%
   5th Grade Math (Cherry Creek School District No. 5)42.142.7
 0.6%
   5th Grade Math (Colorado)35.736.5
 0.8%
All Grades English Language Arts (Polton Community Elementary School)39.732.4
 7.3%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Cherry Creek School District No. 5)50.849.7
 1.1%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Colorado)45.843.7
 2.1%
All Grades Math (Polton Community Elementary School)29.121.1
 8%
   All Grades Math (Cherry Creek School District No. 5)43.139.9
 3.2%
   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 Students516477
 7.6%
African American108110
 1.9%
American Indian32
 33.3%
Asian4023
 42.5%
Hispanic118120
 1.7%
Pacific Islander11
White189160
 15.3%
Two or More Races5761
 7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients51.6%54.7%
 3.2%


Schools Near Polton Community Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Polton Community Elementary School

Polton Community Elementary School ranks 662nd of 943 Colorado elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 477 students attended Polton Community Elementary School.

Students who attend Polton Community Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Prairie Middle School
High : Overland High School

Students at Polton Community Elementary School are 34% White, 25% Hispanic, 23% African American, 13% Two or more races, 5% Asian.


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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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