Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy

Summary:

Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy is an alternative public school in Denver, Colorado that serves grades K-12, with a diverse student population that is predominantly Hispanic (79.66%) and from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds (over 73% receive free or reduced-price lunch).

While Kunsmiller offers a creative arts-focused curriculum, the school consistently underperforms the Denver School District and Colorado state averages on standardized tests in English Language Arts, Math, and Science. For example, in 2023-2024, only 12.5% of 11th graders at Kunsmiller were proficient or better in CMAS Science, compared to 17.8% for the district and 24.8% for the state. The school also has a relatively high student-teacher ratio, ranging from 16.7 to 18.2 over the past 3 school years, which is higher than nearby alternative schools like Lotus School for Excellence, Skyview Academy, and Golden View Classical Academy.

While Kunsmiller serves a diverse student population with significant socioeconomic challenges, which may contribute to its academic struggles, the school's performance lags behind these nearby alternative schools, which tend to have higher test scores and better student-teacher ratios. This suggests that Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy has room for improvement in providing a high-quality education to its students, particularly when compared to other alternative schools in the Denver 1 and surrounding districts.


Detail:

Public, Alternative K-12

 2250 South Quitman Way
       Denver, CO  80219-5139


(720) 424-0200

District: School District No. 1

SchoolDigger Rank:
875th of 943 Colorado Alternative Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $17,018 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  16.9 Help
Number of students:  789

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
78.5%
White:
10.9%
African American:
4.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  80.5% Help


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 Compare Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy to nearby alternative schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy ranks worse than 92.8% of elementary schools in Colorado. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 10.38. (See more...)
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Compare Details Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy ranks worse than 91.5% of middle schools in Colorado. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 11.07. (See more...)
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Compare Details Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy ranks worse than 84.2% of high schools in Colorado. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 15.56. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
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The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
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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 Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy has the largest alternative school student body size in the School District No. 1. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (78.5%), White (10.9%), African American (4.3%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 80.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the School District No. 1. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy is 16.9, which is the highest among 3 alternative schools in the School District No. 1! (See more...)
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Compare Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy employs 46.4 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy is $17,018, which is the lowest among 3 alternative schools in the School District No. 1!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy:

SchoolDigger ranks Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy 875th of 943 Colorado public elementary schools. (See Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy in the ranking list.)
SchoolDigger ranks Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy 444th of 485 Colorado public middle schools. (See Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:

SchoolDigger ranks Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy 294th of 349 Colorado public high schools. (See Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:


School District No. 1:

SchoolDigger ranks School District No. 1 78th of 116 Colorado school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy?

Rank History for Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy

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Rank History for all elementary school students at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2011 18.40 780th 935 16.6%
2012 18.36 780th 935 16.6%
2013 9.48 878th 954 8.0%
2014 11.27 884th 962 8.1%
2015 19.34 759th 938 19.1%
2016 23.30 694th 914 24.1%
2017 22.79 708th 929 23.8%
2018 18.76 743rd 917 19.0%
2019 22.16 746th 965 22.7%
2022 11.59 860th 921 6.6%
2023 11.96 856th 933 8.3%
2024 10.38 875th 943 7.2%
See the entire list of Colorado Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 21.67 555th 690 19.6%
2019 23.08 580th 758 23.5%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 22.59 542nd 693 21.8%
2019 15.70 663rd 764 13.2%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school Hispanic students at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 27.05 214th 270 20.7%
2022 14.42 149th 153 2.6%
2023 36.76 124th 197 37.1%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Alternative Schools for Hispanic Students!

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

Rank History for Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy

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Rank History for all middle school students at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2011 11.72 377th 422 10.7%
2012 11.85 376th 425 11.5%
2013 15.84 396th 454 12.8%
2014 14.72 403rd 461 12.6%
2015 19.52 361st 436 17.2%
2016 26.86 288th 400 28.0%
2017 23.55 323rd 424 23.8%
2018 33.64 266th 418 36.4%
2019 30.03 303rd 458 33.8%
2021 17.90 323rd 369 12.5%
2022 12.67 396th 448 11.6%
2023 12.42 426th 480 11.3%
2024 11.07 444th 485 8.5%
See the entire list of Colorado Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 64.09 52nd 222 76.6%
2019 53.39 96th 240 60.0%
2022 22.42 169th 197 14.2%
2023 20.26 205th 241 14.9%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Alternative Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 31.77 206th 315 34.6%
2019 29.61 242nd 352 31.3%
2022 10.27 298th 326 8.6%
2023 7.39 354th 363 2.5%
2024 8.81 334th 350 4.6%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 26.03 227th 317 28.4%
2019 24.11 250th 343 27.1%
2022 13.89 290th 328 11.6%
2023 14.92 304th 356 14.6%
2024 11.33 330th 357 7.6%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school Hispanic students at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 45.85 84th 165 49.1%
2019 46.55 109th 220 50.5%
2022 15.58 153rd 169 9.5%
2023 16.67 174th 198 12.1%
2024 18.73 173rd 199 13.1%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Alternative Schools for Hispanic Students!

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

Rank History for Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy

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Rank History for all high school students at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 13.03 286th 334 14.4%
2013 25.66 258th 349 26.1%
2014 37.92 242nd 369 34.4%
2015 40.46 149th 292 49.0%
2016 25.84 181st 255 29.0%
2017 21.23 198th 256 22.7%
2018 17.26 306th 388 21.1%
2019 18.96 321st 411 21.9%
2022 16.26 180th 221 18.6%
2023 19.31 281st 349 19.5%
2024 15.56 294th 349 15.8%
See the entire list of Colorado Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for high school Low Socio Economic Status students at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 51.96 77th 188 59.0%
2022 42.22 113th 203 44.3%
2023 33.75 139th 200 30.5%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Alternative Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for high school Female students at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 24.29 180th 239 24.7%
2022 26.52 190th 257 26.1%
2023 22.17 199th 254 21.7%
2024 17.40 208th 257 19.1%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for high school Male students at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 19.06 189th 240 21.3%
2022 19.30 197th 253 22.1%
2023 12.95 218th 252 13.5%
2024 13.08 222nd 256 13.3%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for high school Hispanic students at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 29.62 123rd 181 32.0%
2022 36.60 121st 205 41.0%
2023 25.26 150th 198 24.2%
2024 18.86 166th 199 16.6%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Alternative Schools for Hispanic 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.

Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 












Data source: Colorado Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 2.7)
33%

0%

0%

33%

33%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Friday, January 14, 2022

Open Quote Principal is L A Z Y puts safety of students at risk Close Quote


by a parent
Friday, November 30, 2012

Open Quote Too much BULLYING goes on at this school. Poor special ed programs also I know this is an art school but they focus to much on art and little on academics. Close Quote


Facebook Profile Picture by a student on FaceBook
Saturday, November 26, 2011

Open Quote its a cool school because its creative and you learn alot of stuff Close Quote



Enrollment information for Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2010 137 27 19 456 5 n/a n/a 0 644
2011 130 24 22 463 2 0 12 0 653
2012 116 24 25 576 5 0 12 0 758
2013 125 21 25 688 7 0 18 0 884
2014 119 27 30 731 7 0 25 0 939
2015 123 28 38 791 8 0 19 0 1007
2016 121 23 43 831 7 1 17 0 1043
2017 102 18 49 821 7 1 17 0 1015
2018 95 18 43 788 10 0 14 0 968
2019 93 19 45 752 11 1 20 0 941
2020 89 25 41 731 14 0 20 0 920
2021 88 24 36 688 14 0 20 0 870
2022 93 27 32 686 11 0 24 0 873
2023 95 28 22 654 6 0 16 0 821
2024 86 34 17 619 6 0 21 6 789

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 Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2010 644 39.0 16.5 80.9
2011 653 41.4 15.7 77.3
2012 758 47.0 16.1 81
2013 884 41.6 21.2 82.8
2014 939 53.2 17.6 83.5
2015 1007 66.0 15.2 82.4
2016 1043 63.0 16.5 81.8
2017 1015 55.7 18.1 83.2
2018 968 54.7 17.6 83.5
2019 941 54.6 17.2 81.5
2020 920 52.1 17.6 78.5
2021 870 50.0 17.3 79.2
2022 873 47.7 18.2 73.3
2023 821 49.0 16.7 78.9
2024 789 46.4 16.9 80.5

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 Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2010 644 39.0 16.5 80.9
2011 653 41.4 15.7 77.3
2012 758 47.0 16.1 81
2013 884 41.6 21.2 82.8
2014 939 53.2 17.6 83.5
2015 1007 66.0 15.2 82.4
2016 1043 63.0 16.5 81.8
2017 1015 55.7 18.1 83.2
2018 968 54.7 17.6 83.5
2019 941 54.6 17.2 81.5
2020 920 52.1 17.6 78.5
2021 870 50.0 17.3 79.2
2022 873 47.7 18.2 73.3
2023 821 49.0 16.7 78.9
2024 789 46.4 16.9 80.5

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 Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $12,791
2020 $13,400
2021 $13,714
2022 $14,493
2023 $17,018

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy

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 746th of 965 Elementary schoolsRanks 856th of 933 Elementary schools
 14.4%
Ranks 303rd of 458 Middle schoolsRanks 426th of 480 Middle schools
 22.6%
Ranks 321st of 411 High schoolsRanks 281st of 349 High schools
 2.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy)22.727.6
 4.9%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (School District No. 1)39.440.1
 0.7%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)41.339.9
 1.4%
3rd Grade Math (Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy)27.838.7
 10.9%
   3rd Grade Math (School District No. 1)37.536.4
 1.1%
   3rd Grade Math (Colorado)4140.4
 0.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy)3128.6
 2.4%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (School District No. 1)43.640.6
 3%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)4843.8
 4.2%
5th Grade Science (Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy)16.26.7
 9.5%
   5th Grade Science (School District No. 1)25.926.2
 0.3%
   5th Grade Science (Colorado)35.933.9
 2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy)20.613
 7.6%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (School District No. 1)42.341.2
 1.1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)48.447.8
 0.6%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy)38.39.3
 29%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (School District No. 1)4038.8
 1.2%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)43.643.4
 0.2%
6th Grade Math (Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy)23.35.9
 17.4%
   6th Grade Math (School District No. 1)27.926.9
 1%
   6th Grade Math (Colorado)29.528.2
 1.3%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy)36.225
 11.2%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (School District No. 1)45.140.3
 4.8%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)46.545
 1.5%
7th Grade Math (Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy)217.7
 13.3%
   7th Grade Math (School District No. 1)30.225.1
 5.1%
   7th Grade Math (Colorado)31.626.3
 5.3%
8th Grade Science (Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy)8.713.3
 4.6%
   8th Grade Science (School District No. 1)22.726
 3.3%
   8th Grade Science (Colorado)31.531.3
 0.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy)41.417.1
 24.3%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (School District No. 1)4640.8
 5.2%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)46.942.4
 4.5%
8th Grade Math (Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy)3117.1
 13.9%
   8th Grade Math (School District No. 1)34.430.9
 3.5%
   8th Grade Math (Colorado)36.932.7
 4.2%
All Grades English Language Arts (Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy)34.118.1
 16%
   All Grades English Language Arts (School District No. 1)42.840.3
 2.5%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Colorado)45.843.7
 2.1%
All Grades Math (Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy)22.911.4
 11.5%
   All Grades Math (School District No. 1)32.730.3
 2.4%
   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 Students941821
 12.8%
African American1928
 47.4%
American Indian116
 45.5%
Asian4522
 51.1%
Hispanic752654
 13%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White9395
 2.2%
Two or More Races2016
 20%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients81.5%78.9%
 2.6%


Schools Near Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy









Frequently Asked Questions about Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy

Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy ranks in the bottom 7.2% of Colorado alternative schools.

Students at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy are 78% Hispanic, 11% White, 4% African American, 3% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

In the 2023-24 school year, 789 students attended Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy.


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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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