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Peak Expeditionary - Pennington

Summary:

Peak Expeditionary - Pennington is an elementary school in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, serving 266 students in grades PK-5 as part of the Jefferson County School District No. R-1. This school stands out for its strong academic performance, particularly in 5th grade, where students significantly outperform district and state averages in CMAS assessments for science, ELA, and math.

Peak Expeditionary - Pennington has a more diverse student population compared to nearby schools, with a higher percentage of Hispanic (29.32%) and students of two or more races (5.26%). The school also serves a higher proportion of students from lower-income families, with 40-58% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch over the past three years. Despite these socioeconomic challenges, the school has shown consistent improvement in its statewide ranking, moving from 947 out of 962 Colorado elementary schools in 2013-2014 to 296 out of 943 in 2023-2024.

When compared to nearby schools, Peak Expeditionary - Pennington generally outperforms them in test scores, particularly in 5th grade CMAS assessments. However, schools like Vanderhoof Elementary and Prospect Valley Elementary also demonstrate strong academic performance, with higher proficiency rates in certain grade levels and subject areas. The diversity and socioeconomic factors at Peak Expeditionary - Pennington may present unique challenges, but the school's consistent improvement and strong academic results suggest it is a high-quality option for families in the Wheat Ridge area.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 4645 Independence Street
       Wheat Ridge, CO  80033-2952

(303) 982-2083

District: Jefferson County School District No. R-1

SchoolDigger Rank:
296th of 943 Colorado Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $15,398 Help


Students who attend Peak Expeditionary - Pennington usually attend:

Middle:    Everitt Middle School
High:    Wheat Ridge High School

Student/teacher ratio:  19.8 Help
Number of students:  266

Racial breakdown:

White:
61.3%
Hispanic:
29.3%
Two or more races:
5.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  44.4% Help


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 Compare Peak Expeditionary - Pennington to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Peak Expeditionary - Pennington ranks better than 68.6% of elementary schools in Colorado. It also ranks 39th among 85 ranked elementary schools in the Jefferson County School District No. R-1. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 67.02. (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 Peak Expeditionary - Pennington has the largest elementary school student body size in the Jefferson County School District No. R-1.  (See more...)
Teachers
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Peak Expeditionary - Pennington is $15,398, which is the 42nd highest among 85 elementary schools in the Jefferson County School District No. R-1.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Peak Expeditionary - Pennington:

SchoolDigger ranks Peak Expeditionary - Pennington 296th of 943 Colorado public elementary schools. (See Peak Expeditionary - Pennington in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


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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Rank History for Peak Expeditionary - Pennington

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Peak Expeditionary - Pennington

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 40.76 517th 808 36.0%
2005 32.74 594th 823 27.8%
2006 27.31 640th 829 22.8%
2007 15.68 737th 852 13.5%
2008 9.29 777th 849 8.5%
2009 12.32 779th 872 10.7%
2010 17.45 780th 925 15.7%
2011 12.43 825th 935 11.8%
2012 18.14 781st 935 16.5%
2013 5.01 927th 954 2.8%
2014 5.38 947th 962 1.6%
2015 16.76 798th 938 14.9%
2017 18.67 755th 929 18.7%
2019 34.91 596th 965 38.2%
2021 36.60 471st 710 33.7%
2022 66.88 278th 921 69.8%
2023 51.62 415th 933 55.5%
2024 67.02 296th 943 68.6%
See the entire list of Colorado Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for White students at Peak Expeditionary - Pennington

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 59.65 218th 539 59.6%
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.

Peak Expeditionary - Pennington Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
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District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
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Data source: Colorado Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 4.3)
83%

0%

0%

0%

17%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Thursday, February 11, 2021

Open Quote A focus on experiences that go along with classroom learning means kids are retaining more of what they learn and learn to use it in the real world. The teachers are all so happy and have an amazing school culture which I personally believe leads to a healthy school environment. Any issue I have ever had was met with answered phone calls, returned emails and in person conversations within 24 hours not just from teachers but from the assistant principal and principal himself. They are the only school in the state with a bike park on school grounds and a focus on spending as much time as possible learning outside on their large piece of property. We care very much about a diverse environment and their commitment to keeping the school a diverse environment is a huge draw for us. Lastly their constant focus on social emotional development brings me so much hope for this generation of kids. With widespread anxiety, depression and disconnection on the rise for kids I fully believe a focus in empathy and respect is vital learning. Peak does such a wonderful job focusing on these areas. Close Quote


by a parent
Friday, February 5, 2021

Open Quote Note: This school was reorganized in 2018 and moved forward as Peak Expeditionary, reviews from Pennington are no longer accurate or valid.
We looked at several schools before choosing Peak Expeditionary for our daughter to start Kindergarten. We were looking for a school that focused on allowing kids to explore, have choices, and had a blend of academics and experiences. We put in for Peak and when we were accepted, we jumped at the chance. Our experience has been amazing so far. The way the whole staff has welcomed our daughter, but also the whole family has been appreciated. They have handled the pandemic with grace and I have been so pleased with both the in-person learning and the remote options. Our kiddo is outside for several hours during the day and was even able to go on a field trip this year. Her teachers are always welcoming and make her feel valued at school. Communication from the principal, her classroom teacher, the para support, the front office, the clinic aide - all have been pleasent, responsive, and kind. We are so excited to be a part of the CREW at Peak! We hope to see this school grow and become a K-8!!! Close Quote


by a parent
Friday, February 5, 2021

Open Quote We started out my daughter’s kindergarten year in the middle of a pandemic. I could not be prouder of how Peak handled the challenge of teaching young kiddos in a remote environment, and the thought they put into in-person learning to keep it safe for everyone was beyond my expectations. They push my daughter to excel in everything she does, including developing her character and building her confidence. Even online, they maintained an interactive curriculum that encouraged discovery and exploration. The balance between digital work and hands-on work was perfectly balanced, as is their emphasis on outdoor education and activities.

I knew I was going to like Peak when I registered my daughter a year ago I didn’t know I was going to love it. Close Quote


by a parent
Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Open Quote Peak Expeditionary School is new as of 2018 and comments from Pennington do not apply! This school is amazing! Colorado to the core, adventure trips, field experiences and a staff that truly loves all kids. We couldn’t be happier at Peak! Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, November 30, 2017

Open Quote School has gone downhill and lost more students each year my daughter went there(3yrs). Many behavioral issues with students which disrupts teaching on a several times daily basis. My daughter transferred to another Jeff Co. School this year and was found to be behind in almost every subject, Pennington grades were good but as a whole the teaching was behind where grade level should be at that point in the school year which is concerning since my daughter is struggling to catch up in new school so she can be at the level they are currently teaching . Staff at Pennington gets smaller every year and overall participation w/ community and family has gone downhill as well. Front office staff has changed and definitely not for the better, not very helpful most of the time and one person consistently very rude no matter what the interaction. I strongly advise checking out alternatives before sending your child to Pennington, it will not be in their best interest. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Peak Expeditionary - Pennington

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 258 2 2 30 4 n/a n/a 0 296
1989 232 3 2 34 2 n/a n/a 0 273
1990 206 2 5 20 0 n/a n/a 0 233
1991 208 1 3 25 1 n/a n/a 0 238
1992 239 2 3 29 4 n/a n/a 0 277
1993 354 4 8 38 1 n/a n/a 0 405
1994 353 4 10 45 6 n/a n/a 0 418
1995 345 4 7 50 5 n/a n/a 0 411
1996 345 4 7 50 5 n/a n/a 0 411
1997 279 3 4 65 3 n/a n/a 0 354
1998 237 2 11 57 2 n/a n/a 0 309
1999 239 7 7 54 3 n/a n/a 0 310
2000 240 6 3 52 4 n/a n/a 0 305
2001 283 9 5 59 5 n/a n/a 0 361
2002 194 10 0 85 2 n/a n/a 0 291
2003 194 10 0 85 2 n/a n/a 0 291
2004 160 9 4 87 1 n/a n/a 0 261
2005 151 6 3 86 1 n/a n/a 0 247
2006 124 5 2 98 3 n/a n/a 0 232
2007 108 9 1 111 3 n/a n/a 0 232
2008 116 10 3 123 7 n/a n/a 0 259
2009 137 12 3 118 7 n/a n/a 0 277
2010 153 8 1 119 6 n/a n/a 0 287
2011 123 6 1 124 7 0 5 0 266
2012 128 5 1 137 6 0 5 0 282
2013 130 3 1 134 5 0 3 0 276
2014 125 2 1 139 6 0 2 0 275
2015 101 3 1 120 5 0 5 0 235
2016 83 6 1 99 2 0 8 0 199
2017 75 5 2 105 2 1 12 0 202
2018 71 6 3 77 2 1 9 0 169
2019 74 1 3 66 1 2 15 0 162
2020 99 1 3 73 2 1 18 0 197
2021 103 2 3 61 2 1 16 0 188
2022 140 3 4 66 2 2 11 0 228
2023 163 4 3 78 2 2 14 0 266

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 Peak Expeditionary - Pennington

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 296 14.8 20.0 n/a
1989 273 16.3 16.7 23.8
1990 233 15.1 15.4 27.5
1991 238 14.5 16.4 37
1992 277 15.1 18.3 33.6
1993 405 15.2 26.6 23.2
1994 418 14.5 28.8 26.6
1995 411 17.1 24.0 23.4
1996 411 17.1 24.0 23.4
1997 354 18.6 19.0 32.2
1998 309 18.3 16.9 37.5
1999 310 18.0 17.2 29.4
2000 305 17.7 17.2 44.9
2001 361 19.0 19.0 24.9
2002 291 19.0 15.3 39.5
2003 291 19.0 15.3 39.5
2004 261 18.0 14.5 46
2005 247 15.3 16.1 52.2
2006 232 13.0 17.8 55.2
2007 232 14.0 16.6 62.1
2008 259 14.2 18.2 64.1
2009 277 17.2 16.1 63.5
2010 287 19.0 15.1 69.7
2011 266 17.0 15.6 77.4
2012 282 16.5 17.0 76.2
2013 276 14.8 18.5 77.2
2014 275 16.8 16.3 82.5
2015 235 19.0 12.3 82.6
2016 199 16.0 12.4 80.9
2017 202 14.8 13.6 85.1
2018 169 10.5 16.0 80.5
2019 162 14.3 11.3 82.1
2020 197 12.3 15.9 68
2021 188 13.2 14.1 58
2022 228 15.0 15.1 40.8
2023 266 13.4 19.8 44.4

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 Peak Expeditionary - Pennington

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 296 14.8 20.0 n/a
1989 273 16.3 16.7 23.8
1990 233 15.1 15.4 27.5
1991 238 14.5 16.4 37
1992 277 15.1 18.3 33.6
1993 405 15.2 26.6 23.2
1994 418 14.5 28.8 26.6
1995 411 17.1 24.0 23.4
1996 411 17.1 24.0 23.4
1997 354 18.6 19.0 32.2
1998 309 18.3 16.9 37.5
1999 310 18.0 17.2 29.4
2000 305 17.7 17.2 44.9
2001 361 19.0 19.0 24.9
2002 291 19.0 15.3 39.5
2003 291 19.0 15.3 39.5
2004 261 18.0 14.5 46
2005 247 15.3 16.1 52.2
2006 232 13.0 17.8 55.2
2007 232 14.0 16.6 62.1
2008 259 14.2 18.2 64.1
2009 277 17.2 16.1 63.5
2010 287 19.0 15.1 69.7
2011 266 17.0 15.6 77.4
2012 282 16.5 17.0 76.2
2013 276 14.8 18.5 77.2
2014 275 16.8 16.3 82.5
2015 235 19.0 12.3 82.6
2016 199 16.0 12.4 80.9
2017 202 14.8 13.6 85.1
2018 169 10.5 16.0 80.5
2019 162 14.3 11.3 82.1
2020 197 12.3 15.9 68
2021 188 13.2 14.1 58
2022 228 15.0 15.1 40.8
2023 266 13.4 19.8 44.4

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 Peak Expeditionary - Pennington

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $15,114
2020 $13,581
2021 $16,007
2022 $15,692
2023 $15,398

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Peak Expeditionary - Pennington

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 596th of 965 Elementary schoolsRanks 415th of 933 Elementary schools
 17.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Peak Expeditionary - Pennington)5045
 5%
   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 (Peak Expeditionary - Pennington)27.856
 28.2%
   3rd Grade Math (Jefferson County School District No. R-1)45.747.4
 1.7%
   3rd Grade Math (Colorado)4139.4
 1.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Peak Expeditionary - Pennington)21.761.5
 39.8%
   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 (Peak Expeditionary - Pennington)1350
 37%
   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 (Peak Expeditionary - Pennington)35.314.3
 21%
   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 (Peak Expeditionary - Pennington)41.232.1
 9.1%
   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%
All Grades English Language Arts (Peak Expeditionary - Pennington)36.245.7
 9.5%
   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 (Peak Expeditionary - Pennington)25.927.7
 1.8%
   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 Students162266
 64.2%
African American14
 300%
American Indian12
 100%
Asian33
Hispanic6678
 18.2%
Pacific Islander22
White74163
 120.3%
Two or More Races1514
 6.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients82.1%44.4%
 37.7%

Schools Near Peak Expeditionary - Pennington








Frequently Asked Questions about Peak Expeditionary - Pennington

In the 2022-23 school year, 266 students attended Peak Expeditionary - Pennington.

Peak Expeditionary - Pennington ranks 296th of 943 Colorado elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Students at Peak Expeditionary - Pennington are 61% White, 29% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races, 2% African American, 1% Asian.

Students who attend Peak Expeditionary - Pennington usually go on to attend:

Middle : Everitt Middle School
High : Wheat Ridge High 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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