Ponderosa Elementary School

Summary:

Ponderosa Elementary School is a public elementary school in Aurora, Colorado, serving 517 students in grades PK-5 as part of the Cherry Creek School District No. 5. Despite being part of a highly-ranked school district, Ponderosa Elementary consistently underperforms academically, with low standardized test scores across all grades and subjects compared to the district and state averages.

Ponderosa Elementary has a diverse student population, with a high percentage of African American (24.76%) and Hispanic (37.33%) students, as well as a large proportion (69.44%) of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds. This diversity is not reflected in the school's academic performance, as Ponderosa ranks in the bottom quarter of Colorado elementary schools, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger. Nearby schools in the Cherry Creek district, such as Village East Community Elementary and Eastridge Community Elementary, also struggle academically, suggesting that the challenges faced by Ponderosa may be systemic within the district.

Despite having a relatively low student-teacher ratio of 14 students per teacher, Ponderosa Elementary's academic performance is particularly concerning for specific student subgroups, such as African American and Hispanic students, who rank in the bottom 20% of Colorado elementary schools. The high percentage of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds may be a contributing factor to these academic challenges, and addressing these underlying issues could be crucial in improving the school's performance.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 1885 South Lima Street
       Aurora, CO  80012-5138


(720) 747-2800

District: Cherry Creek School District No. 5

SchoolDigger Rank:
824th of 943 Colorado Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $16,185 Help


Students who attend Ponderosa Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Prairie Middle School
High:    Overland High School

Student/teacher ratio:  15.8 Help
Number of students:  572

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
42.1%
African American:
24.8%
White:
16.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  76% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Ponderosa Elementary School ranks worse than 87.4% of elementary schools in Colorado. It also ranks 42nd among 46 ranked elementary schools in the Cherry Creek School District No. 5. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 13.8. (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
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Compare Details Student population at Ponderosa Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (42.1%), African American (24.8%), White (16.1%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 76% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Ponderosa Elementary School is 15.8. 32 elementary schools in the Cherry Creek School District No. 5 have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Ponderosa Elementary School employs 36 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Ponderosa Elementary School is $16,185, which is the 16th highest among 46 elementary schools in the Cherry Creek School District No. 5.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Ponderosa Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Ponderosa Elementary School 824th of 943 Colorado public elementary schools. (See Ponderosa Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American 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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Rank History for Ponderosa Elementary School

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Rank History for all students at Ponderosa Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 39.98 522nd 808 35.4%
2005 35.47 576th 823 30.0%
2006 36.10 568th 829 31.5%
2007 27.24 655th 852 23.1%
2008 22.98 686th 849 19.2%
2009 20.74 712th 872 18.3%
2010 38.17 621st 925 32.9%
2011 42.11 585th 935 37.4%
2012 45.04 563rd 935 39.8%
2013 35.24 663rd 954 30.5%
2014 35.11 660th 962 31.4%
2015 28.28 648th 938 30.9%
2016 33.30 579th 914 36.7%
2017 25.92 672nd 929 27.7%
2018 14.86 796th 917 13.2%
2019 21.00 766th 965 20.6%
2021 15.45 633rd 710 10.8%
2022 17.71 756th 921 17.9%
2023 19.50 743rd 933 20.4%
2024 13.80 824th 943 12.6%
See the entire list of Colorado Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Ponderosa Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 54.88 17th 43 60.5%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Ponderosa Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 11.62 301st 308 2.3%
2019 31.86 250th 332 24.7%
2022 30.83 148th 203 27.1%
2023 32.53 193rd 265 27.2%
2024 20.98 309th 365 15.3%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Ponderosa Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 9.51 662nd 690 4.1%
2019 18.04 637th 758 16.0%
2022 19.23 490th 595 17.6%
2023 15.92 556th 642 13.4%
2024 11.57 631st 684 7.7%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Ponderosa Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 10.67 649th 693 6.3%
2019 15.74 662nd 764 13.4%
2022 11.16 555th 594 6.6%
2023 20.52 520th 649 19.9%
2024 11.17 634th 683 7.2%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Ponderosa Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 46.01 12th 23 47.8%
2022 30.92 14th 18 22.2%
2023 35.16 12th 20 40.0%
2024 17.07 18th 18 0.0%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Ponderosa Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 22.59 144th 172 16.3%
2019 36.43 169th 270 37.4%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Ponderosa Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 19.57 290th 337 13.9%
2019 9.24 576th 596 3.4%
2023 18.82 464th 525 11.6%
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.

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






Data source: Colorado Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Ponderosa Elementary School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 533 55 56 12 0 n/a n/a 0 656
1989 528 43 58 20 2 n/a n/a 0 651
1990 470 53 66 31 8 n/a n/a 0 628
1991 463 46 55 21 6 n/a n/a 0 591
1992 498 47 61 31 5 n/a n/a 0 642
1993 482 57 60 27 6 n/a n/a 0 632
1994 509 87 47 32 5 n/a n/a 0 680
1995 451 97 62 34 3 n/a n/a 0 647
1996 451 97 62 34 3 n/a n/a 0 647
1997 462 109 69 36 3 n/a n/a 0 679
1998 467 127 57 47 3 n/a n/a 0 701
1999 404 135 53 63 2 n/a n/a 0 657
2000 356 168 62 58 4 n/a n/a 0 648
2001 329 176 59 74 4 n/a n/a 0 642
2002 271 216 71 90 1 n/a n/a 0 649
2003 271 216 71 90 1 n/a n/a 0 649
2004 262 219 70 74 2 n/a n/a 0 627
2005 252 210 60 95 3 n/a n/a 0 620
2006 214 208 54 115 4 n/a n/a 0 595
2007 191 225 65 150 4 n/a n/a 0 635
2008 174 227 55 177 4 n/a n/a 0 637
2009 185 264 57 213 6 n/a n/a 0 725
2010 186 249 57 236 8 n/a n/a 0 736
2011 158 238 48 277 6 3 25 0 755
2012 156 220 35 262 4 4 33 0 714
2013 165 226 39 264 4 5 43 0 746
2014 178 236 37 259 5 3 43 0 761
2015 190 252 32 248 4 5 53 0 784
2016 190 233 31 229 6 7 63 0 759
2017 168 211 26 216 3 4 83 0 711
2018 165 192 35 211 3 2 81 0 689
2019 156 162 29 228 2 2 68 0 647
2020 128 174 35 219 7 2 53 0 618
2021 108 141 37 176 5 1 46 0 514
2022 105 142 34 181 3 3 49 0 517
2023 105 128 44 193 3 0 44 0 517
2024 92 142 41 241 2 3 51 0 572

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 Ponderosa Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 656 31.2 21.0 n/a
1989 651 29.5 22.0 5.7
1990 628 31.0 20.2 8.3
1991 591 29.2 20.2 9.6
1992 642 32.2 19.9 11.5
1993 632 34.8 18.2 10.1
1994 680 35.8 19.0 11.6
1995 647 37.2 17.4 11.3
1996 647 37.2 17.4 11.3
1997 679 36.7 18.5 11.8
1998 701 38.2 18.4 15
1999 657 41.2 15.9 17.5
2000 648 41.5 15.6 26.9
2001 642 40.1 16.0 25.5
2002 649 47.2 13.8 33
2003 649 47.2 13.8 33
2004 627 43.0 14.6 37
2005 620 40.9 15.2 40
2006 595 39.2 15.2 40.7
2007 635 38.2 16.6 46.6
2008 637 41.0 15.5 52.9
2009 725 46.9 15.5 56.3
2010 736 50.3 14.6 55.4
2011 755 49.4 15.2 61.9
2012 714 50.1 14.2 66
2013 746 47.8 15.5 65.5
2014 761 51.9 14.6 62.3
2015 784 54.0 14.5 73.1
2016 759 56.0 13.5 70
2017 711 55.4 12.8 71.4
2018 689 45.8 15.0 72.4
2019 647 48.9 13.2 74
2020 618 44.0 14.0 70.4
2021 514 34.7 14.7 71.8
2022 517 38.3 13.4 66.7
2023 517 36.8 14.0 69.4
2024 572 36.0 15.8 76

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 Ponderosa Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 656 31.2 21.0 n/a
1989 651 29.5 22.0 5.7
1990 628 31.0 20.2 8.3
1991 591 29.2 20.2 9.6
1992 642 32.2 19.9 11.5
1993 632 34.8 18.2 10.1
1994 680 35.8 19.0 11.6
1995 647 37.2 17.4 11.3
1996 647 37.2 17.4 11.3
1997 679 36.7 18.5 11.8
1998 701 38.2 18.4 15
1999 657 41.2 15.9 17.5
2000 648 41.5 15.6 26.9
2001 642 40.1 16.0 25.5
2002 649 47.2 13.8 33
2003 649 47.2 13.8 33
2004 627 43.0 14.6 37
2005 620 40.9 15.2 40
2006 595 39.2 15.2 40.7
2007 635 38.2 16.6 46.6
2008 637 41.0 15.5 52.9
2009 725 46.9 15.5 56.3
2010 736 50.3 14.6 55.4
2011 755 49.4 15.2 61.9
2012 714 50.1 14.2 66
2013 746 47.8 15.5 65.5
2014 761 51.9 14.6 62.3
2015 784 54.0 14.5 73.1
2016 759 56.0 13.5 70
2017 711 55.4 12.8 71.4
2018 689 45.8 15.0 72.4
2019 647 48.9 13.2 74
2020 618 44.0 14.0 70.4
2021 514 34.7 14.7 71.8
2022 517 38.3 13.4 66.7
2023 517 36.8 14.0 69.4
2024 572 36.0 15.8 76

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 Ponderosa Elementary School

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $13,848
2020 $13,964
2021 $14,443
2022 $15,985
2023 $16,185

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Ponderosa 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 766th of 965 Elementary schoolsRanks 743rd of 933 Elementary schools
 0.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Ponderosa Elementary School)30.933.8
 2.9%
   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 (Ponderosa Elementary School)27.640
 12.4%
   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 (Ponderosa Elementary School)42.316.5
 25.8%
   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 (Ponderosa Elementary School)20.38.8
 11.5%
   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 (Ponderosa Elementary School)11.311
 0.3%
   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 (Ponderosa Elementary School)24.619.5
 5.1%
   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 (Ponderosa Elementary School)13.918.3
 4.4%
   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 (Ponderosa Elementary School)32.923.2
 9.7%
   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 (Ponderosa Elementary School)20.222.3
 2.1%
   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 Students647517
 20.1%
African American162128
 21%
American Indian23
 50%
Asian2944
 51.7%
Hispanic228193
 15.4%
Pacific Islander20
 100%
White156105
 32.7%
Two or More Races6844
 35.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients74%69.4%
 4.6%


Schools Near Ponderosa Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Ponderosa Elementary School

Ponderosa Elementary School ranks in the bottom 12.6% of Colorado elementary schools.

Students who attend Ponderosa Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Prairie Middle School
High : Overland High School

Students at Ponderosa Elementary School are 42% Hispanic, 25% African American, 16% White, 9% Two or more races, 7% Asian.

In the 2023-24 school year, 572 students attended Ponderosa Elementary School.


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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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