Little Elementary School

Summary:

Little Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Arvada, Colorado, serving 248 students in grades K-5. The school is part of the Jefferson County School District No. R-1, which is ranked 35 out of 116 districts in the state.

While Little Elementary School has a more diverse student population compared to nearby schools, with a higher percentage of Hispanic (41.13%) and two or more races (6.05%) students, its academic performance is significantly lower than the district and state averages. The school has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Colorado elementary schools, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger, and only 14.1% of its students were proficient or better in CMAS Math, compared to 40.7% for the district and 34.2% for the state. This disparity in educational outcomes is also evident when comparing Little Elementary School to nearby schools like Woodrow Wilson Charter Academy, Warder Elementary School, and Hackberry Hill Elementary School, which have significantly higher academic performance, rankings, and ratings.

The high percentage of students (67.74%) receiving free or reduced-price lunch at Little Elementary School suggests that socioeconomic factors may be playing a significant role in the school's academic performance. However, the low student-teacher ratio of 15.2 also indicates that there may be opportunities for more personalized instruction and targeted interventions to support student learning. Addressing the unique challenges faced by the school, such as declining performance and the disparity in educational outcomes, through a comprehensive approach could lead to improved outcomes for the students at Little Elementary School.


Detail:

Public K-5

 8448 Otis Drive
       Arvada, CO  80003-1242


(303) 982-0310

District: Jefferson County School District No. R-1

SchoolDigger Rank:
762nd of 943 Colorado Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $17,774 Help


Students who attend Little Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Moore Middle School
High:    Pomona High School

Student/teacher ratio:  15.2 Help
Number of students:  248

Racial breakdown:

White:
47.6%
Hispanic:
41.1%
Two or more races:
6.0%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  67.7% Help


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 Compare Little Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Little Elementary School ranks worse than 80.8% of elementary schools in Colorado. It also ranks 76th among 85 ranked elementary schools in the Jefferson County School District No. R-1. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 18.45. (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 Little Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Jefferson County School District No. R-1.  (See more...)
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Little Elementary School is $17,774, which is the 7th highest among 85 elementary schools in the Jefferson County School District No. R-1.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Little Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Little Elementary School 762nd of 943 Colorado public elementary schools. (See Little 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:


Jefferson County School District No. R-1:

SchoolDigger ranks Jefferson County School District No. R-1 35th of 116 Colorado school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Little Elementary School?

Rank History for Little Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Little Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 55.24 397th 808 50.9%
2005 63.89 327th 823 60.3%
2006 48.79 463rd 829 44.1%
2007 45.69 508th 852 40.4%
2008 52.71 448th 849 47.2%
2009 46.59 504th 872 42.2%
2010 50.29 513th 925 44.5%
2011 44.38 565th 935 39.6%
2012 36.53 639th 935 31.7%
2013 31.37 689th 954 27.8%
2014 33.14 672nd 962 30.1%
2015 35.76 572nd 938 39.0%
2016 37.38 532nd 914 41.8%
2017 34.01 589th 929 36.6%
2018 33.44 587th 917 36.0%
2019 27.96 677th 965 29.8%
2021 13.43 658th 710 7.3%
2022 16.08 778th 921 15.5%
2023 10.55 880th 933 5.7%
2024 18.45 762nd 943 19.2%
See the entire list of Colorado Elementary School Rankings!

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

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 52.16 139th 308 54.9%
2019 31.50 253rd 332 23.8%
2024 18.92 319th 365 12.6%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Little Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 25.38 522nd 690 24.3%
2019 21.75 597th 758 21.2%
2024 12.54 620th 684 9.4%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Little Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 32.09 456th 693 34.2%
2019 24.69 571st 764 25.3%
2024 14.29 598th 683 12.4%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Little Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 23.20 277th 337 17.8%
2019 29.55 435th 596 27.0%
2024 14.86 491st 539 8.9%
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.

Little 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: 4.9)
86%

14%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Sunday, November 27, 2022

Open Quote This school has been absolutely amazing. My oldest just spent the last 6 years there and with 2 other kids we will happily be at Little for another 6 years. The staff are all wonderful human beings who truly care about my children. They challenge my children academically when needed, while also offering guidance in areas they may struggle with. More importantly, the staff care for my children's mental health and emotional well being. The personal touches like encouraging notes actually mailed to our house make my kids feel special and seen. Their mental health team is extensive. I know my children are well taken care of. The classrooms offer hands on learning like programing robots, historical reenactments, and arts integration. The teachers will often use the school garden for lessons in science. The best part of this school is the sense of belonging and community. The school is welcoming to all people and strives for inclusivity. The support the parents have for the staff and visa versa is like nothing I have seen at any other school. The amount of care the school has for the surrounding neighborhood and community is unmatched. This school is a hidden gem and deserves as much love as it gives out. Close Quote


by a parent
Monday, March 18, 2019

Open Quote Top notch teachers who really care about all kids. Extremely good PTSA and community support. Definitely not without challenges but a great neighborhood school with an awesome community garden and tons of extra curricular activities (Talent Show, Robotics Club, Lynx in Action, Garden Club etc.) Close Quote


by a parent
Friday, August 17, 2018

Open Quote I've had three kids go through Little, and can attest to what a wonderful neighborhood school this is. The administration and teachers are excellent and really care about your student's success. They also have a very active PTSA with lots of parent involvement, and a wonderful community garden that the kids take part in. Close Quote


by a parent
Friday, September 15, 2017

Open Quote They do great considering the budget available. My kids want to go to school and are doing more than just learning for the state tests. They provide arts and music and the principal is fantastic. Close Quote


by a parent
Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Open Quote The teachers and staff at Little are amazing! They work so hard to provide lots of great opportunities for the students. Mr. Lopez is a fantastic principal and leader. He listens to the voice of the parents and had created a welcoming environment for all children.
The teachers are providing the students with critical thinking strategies that will allow them to succeed in life and empower them to be leaders. Close Quote


by a parent
Monday, April 24, 2017

Open Quote I have a now 7th grader went through Little K-6 and 3rd grader that is at Little now. Both of my daughters have been identified as daughter are GT (Gifted and Talented). I recommend Little without hesitation. There is a strong sense of community and a ton of different clubs for the students to join throughout the year. My 3rd grader did Lynx in Action (fitness club), chess club and origami club this year. There is so many to choose from. The teachers are great. I would say without doubt that the 1st grade teaching team is probably close to if not the best in the state. They are AMAZING and many teachers come to learn from them what to do in their classrooms. It has a highly active PTSA that puts on a lot of events for the kids and families and makes improvements to the school. The principal is open to and encourages parent involvement at the school which adds to that community feel. Has an upgraded big playground and onsite community garden. Also has great diversity with many cultures and different economic backgrounds. It's worth a visit. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Little Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 409 11 11 32 0 n/a n/a 0 463
1989 409 7 11 29 1 n/a n/a 0 457
1990 410 10 16 38 2 n/a n/a 0 476
1991 411 7 15 40 2 n/a n/a 0 475
1992 398 8 15 31 4 n/a n/a 0 456
1993 399 10 17 34 2 n/a n/a 0 462
1994 405 6 12 39 3 n/a n/a 0 465
1995 378 8 9 49 4 n/a n/a 0 448
1996 378 8 9 49 4 n/a n/a 0 448
1997 372 9 16 49 2 n/a n/a 0 448
1998 337 7 13 62 5 n/a n/a 0 424
1999 324 5 13 67 2 n/a n/a 0 411
2000 303 7 20 63 4 n/a n/a 0 397
2001 283 7 7 70 1 n/a n/a 0 368
2002 268 11 7 69 1 n/a n/a 0 356
2003 268 11 7 69 1 n/a n/a 0 356
2004 256 10 6 72 1 n/a n/a 0 345
2005 259 15 12 65 1 n/a n/a 0 352
2006 278 18 17 83 1 n/a n/a 0 397
2007 250 18 12 91 4 n/a n/a 0 375
2008 261 11 20 103 4 n/a n/a 0 399
2009 232 26 18 100 3 n/a n/a 0 379
2010 258 17 16 86 4 n/a n/a 0 381
2011 249 7 6 118 4 0 15 0 399
2012 257 5 4 124 4 0 14 0 408
2013 244 9 3 111 3 0 15 0 385
2014 242 11 5 107 0 0 13 0 378
2015 231 15 7 143 0 0 10 0 406
2016 203 11 8 133 1 0 8 0 364
2017 197 16 9 126 1 1 14 0 364
2018 183 18 4 107 3 1 10 0 326
2019 167 12 5 94 0 2 9 0 289
2020 146 12 2 130 2 2 10 0 304
2021 140 11 6 104 1 2 9 0 273
2022 123 7 4 103 0 2 7 0 246
2023 118 7 5 102 0 1 15 0 248

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 Little Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 463 22.4 20.6 n/a
1989 457 19.9 22.9 4.6
1990 476 22.6 21.0 5.5
1991 475 22.1 21.4 4.2
1992 456 23.2 19.6 2.9
1993 462 22.8 20.3 6.1
1994 465 23.0 20.2 8.4
1995 448 22.1 20.3 5.6
1996 448 22.1 20.3 5.6
1997 448 22.1 20.3 6.3
1998 424 21.4 19.8 7.3
1999 411 20.7 19.9 9.2
2000 397 20.5 19.4 15.1
2001 368 19.0 19.4 13.6
2002 356 19.0 18.7 14
2003 356 19.0 18.7 14
2004 345 17.2 20.1 20.6
2005 352 19.5 18.1 22.2
2006 397 20.4 19.5 33.8
2007 375 20.7 18.1 34.4
2008 399 23.2 17.2 33.3
2009 379 22.2 17.1 35.9
2010 381 22.6 16.8 44.9
2011 399 23.7 16.8 46.9
2012 408 20.1 20.2 55.1
2013 385 21.6 17.7 60
2014 378 17.1 21.9 59.5
2015 406 20.0 20.3 62.3
2016 364 23.0 15.8 60.4
2017 364 20.2 17.9 65.4
2018 326 21.2 15.3 65.3
2019 289 17.7 16.3 63.7
2020 304 18.7 16.2 68.1
2021 273 18.3 14.8 67
2022 246 17.2 14.3 67.1
2023 248 16.2 15.2 67.7

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 Little Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 463 22.4 20.6 n/a
1989 457 19.9 22.9 4.6
1990 476 22.6 21.0 5.5
1991 475 22.1 21.4 4.2
1992 456 23.2 19.6 2.9
1993 462 22.8 20.3 6.1
1994 465 23.0 20.2 8.4
1995 448 22.1 20.3 5.6
1996 448 22.1 20.3 5.6
1997 448 22.1 20.3 6.3
1998 424 21.4 19.8 7.3
1999 411 20.7 19.9 9.2
2000 397 20.5 19.4 15.1
2001 368 19.0 19.4 13.6
2002 356 19.0 18.7 14
2003 356 19.0 18.7 14
2004 345 17.2 20.1 20.6
2005 352 19.5 18.1 22.2
2006 397 20.4 19.5 33.8
2007 375 20.7 18.1 34.4
2008 399 23.2 17.2 33.3
2009 379 22.2 17.1 35.9
2010 381 22.6 16.8 44.9
2011 399 23.7 16.8 46.9
2012 408 20.1 20.2 55.1
2013 385 21.6 17.7 60
2014 378 17.1 21.9 59.5
2015 406 20.0 20.3 62.3
2016 364 23.0 15.8 60.4
2017 364 20.2 17.9 65.4
2018 326 21.2 15.3 65.3
2019 289 17.7 16.3 63.7
2020 304 18.7 16.2 68.1
2021 273 18.3 14.8 67
2022 246 17.2 14.3 67.1
2023 248 16.2 15.2 67.7

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 Little Elementary School

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $11,609
2020 $12,344
2021 $13,600
2022 $15,825
2023 $17,774

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Little 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 677th of 965 Elementary schoolsRanks 880th of 933 Elementary schools
 24.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Little Elementary School)33.313.5
 19.8%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)46.348.2
 1.9%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)41.339.9
 1.4%
3rd Grade Math (Little Elementary School)28.69.6
 19%
   3rd Grade Math (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)45.748.1
 2.4%
   3rd Grade Math (Colorado)4140.4
 0.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Little Elementary School)31.523.3
 8.2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)5653.5
 2.5%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)4843.8
 4.2%
4th Grade Math (Little Elementary School)20.414
 6.4%
   4th Grade Math (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)38.539.9
 1.4%
   4th Grade Math (Colorado)33.632.7
 0.9%
5th Grade Science (Little Elementary School)27.89.7
 18.1%
   5th Grade Science (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)41.641.6
   5th Grade Science (Colorado)35.933.9
 2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Little Elementary School)46.328.1
 18.2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)53.655.6
 2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)48.447.8
 0.6%
5th Grade Math (Little Elementary School)16.79.7
 7%
   5th Grade Math (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)39.441.7
 2.3%
   5th Grade Math (Colorado)35.736.5
 0.8%
All Grades English Language Arts (Little Elementary School)37.320.5
 16.8%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)51.750.8
 0.9%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Colorado)45.843.7
 2.1%
All Grades Math (Little Elementary School)21.311.1
 10.2%
   All Grades Math (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)39.838.7
 1.1%
   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 Students289248
 14.2%
African American127
 41.7%
American Indian00
Asian55
Hispanic94102
 8.5%
Pacific Islander21
 50%
White167118
 29.3%
Two or More Races915
 66.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients63.7%67.7%
 4.1%


Schools Near Little Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Little Elementary School

Students at Little Elementary School are 48% White, 41% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races, 3% African American, 2% Asian.

Little Elementary School ranks in the bottom 19.2% of Colorado elementary schools.

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

Middle : Moore Middle School
High : Pomona High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 248 students attended Little 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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